Slim long ones, short stubby ones, heart-shaped ones, spiky ones, rounded ones and even tear-drop-shaped ones. Susmita Dutta’s garden has leaves of all shapes. Such is her fascination for foliage that even in a pot of colourful flowers she has eyes only for the leaves.
I’m neither fond of growing flowers nor fruits and vegetables but greenery just makes my day! I think those who grow seasonal flowers enjoy their beauty for just two months a year but the greens never lose their glaze.
When my children were little my mother had gifted them a Christmas tree sapling. But we planted it in front of our house and now it’s nearly three-storeys high. And then a few years ago the authorities installed a trident lamp in that patch, in between the leaves of that Christmas tree, and so when that lamp is switched on now, the plant appears to glow in the dark!
My husband Subir Dutta had once brought back a King Coconut sapling from a trip to the Andamans. This variety bears golden coconuts instead of green ones and produces very many fruits. We feel humbled to offer 50 to 60 of them to our AE (Part 1)’s community Durga puja.
I also have a lovely Henna plant. I had planted it so I could apply mehendi from its leaves on my hair and indeed it’s of excellent quality. Even some relatives come and take its leaves.
We don’t keep pots on our terrace as the accumulating water there could damage the floor. Instead we deck up our driveway and front yard.
We do have some coloured Bougainvillea, scented Togors, cacti and bonsai but they are exceptions. My gardener Paritosh Mukherjee tries repeatedly to persuade me into growing Roses or Dahlias, but I will have none of it. My heart beats for the greens.
If you have a garden you are proud of and tend to yourself, send your contact number to The Telegraph Salt Lake,
6, Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta 700001 or call 22600115 after 4pm or email to saltlake@abpmail.com
