Frightfully Hot, Rainless in Kemuning

We've endured 3 - 4 weeks of glaring sun in clear skies, under the blazing heat and by night, we're steaming after a good cold bath!

7-Day Weather Outlook in Selangor - isolated showers possibly rainless http://www.met.gov.my/htdocs2/data/S007E.html

Earthquake (magnitude 5.1 Richter) in Philippines on May-13 http://www.kjc.gov.my/home_e.html

On Labours holiday, we did some sightseeing of neighbouring gardens for ideas. Inspired to give our Lantanas a clean-look, we bought cane-sticks, 3' tall, from One-Stop. Easy fit into the ground as compared to the foldable plant support (see periwinkle).
Improvised with raffia string, I've gathered the Lantanas and achieved the neat-tall-look. Some pruning and adjusting for unimpeded growths & blooms.

Update May-19,'09: Wrote description as 'Spreading Sunset' in http://jaimeboey.blogspot.com/2009/01/as-iridescent-as-prism-in-morning-room.html also known as Horrida (native Lantana) can grow to form a shrub 8-feet tall and nearly as wide.

We also bought 2 pots of Pentas Lanceolata or Egyptian Star Cluster (Rubiaceae) was featured as Plant of the Week June 20-26, 2008 www.plantoftheweek.org/week465.shtml. Pentas adds colour-variety amongst Lantanas with similar growing habit - both known to be thriving in hot weather, between 32°-38°C (considered as landscape perennial shrub) and grows up to 2'-3' tall, spreads 14"-18" wide.

Right now its 2' shorter than Lantanas, is already so bushy and flowering profusely in huge clusters - I just can't wait for it grow into a shrub. Did you notice that both Pentas aren't the same? Flowers with white in the middle, the other has purplish or bluish center instead. These Pentas took a slimmer Lantanas spot which relocated next to its buddy-Lantana, combined size and sharing a cane-stick. Recommended watering at the base of the plant, just above the soil, or you could loose some flowers. Water once a day is sufficient, allow water to soak in soil before second round of watering. http://www.webindia123.com/garden/flowers/pentas.htmhttp://herselfshoustongarden.com/2007/09/egyptian-star-cluster-pentas.html

Pentas prefer a soil pH of 7, gardeners recommend adding lime annually to encourage profuse flowering. Propagate through stem cutting. Excessive drought and watering will cause severe yellowing and necrosis.

Update May-19,'09: Similar variety called 'Nova,' is a Georgia Gold Medal winner for 1999. Great for a Butterfly garden http://www.greenbeampro.com/content/view/1458/205/

Also a retired horticulturist recommends planting Pentas with Lantanas http://www.plantanswers.com/calvin_finch_articles/Plants_to_Attract_Butterflies.htm

We brought home from a nursery along Jalan Hicom, a pot of Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) and 3 pots of Melampodium paludosum (Gold Medallion or Butter Daisy).

Since Desert Rose known to take a good deal of neglect, I shall do so!

For maximum growth and flowering; 1) plant terracotta pot in well drained soil and 2) lots of fertilizer. http://mgonline.com/desertrose.html

By end of May, I envisioned a flower-bed on ground, in the front garden, filled with Thiam's favourite yellows; Medallions or Butter Daisy (pic below). It makes a fuss-free flower-bed because 1) profuse flowering 2) less than a foot tall, 3) sun-loving, 4) no deadheading.

Nursery caretaker recommends to avoid the flowers when watering. http://www.phillipoliver.net/melampodium.htm

Our new garden-additions proved to withstand the frightful heat & high humidity, showed signs of growth after a week since transplant. I had to restrain myself from over-watering. I could feel the vapours from the water hose the whole time after sunset. End of the evening-garden-ritual, I looked as if I've ran a 1km marathon!

Gardening a humbling experience

Tis' how Lantana Camara buds looked before blooming (Pic 1 & 3). Pic 2, a close-up of Lantana's berries, 3 of them, spotted today. In pic 3, when Lantana finished blooming leaving the stems as seen far left-bottom.

"Find the seed at the bottom of your heart and bring forth a flower".- Shigenori Kameoka

Die-hard coleus in the midst of Heliconia. "Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are."- Alfred Austin

Die-hard!!

Pic above: Seedlings of Madasgascar Periwinkle, barely an inch above soil level - seeds in millions, 50% are germinated and next 25% survives the growing stage. Conclusion: it is not that easy!

[Update May-1,'09] A month later, seedling grown 4" tall. I'm guessing seedling will reach to a foot tall mid-June and matures. Perhaps its first bloom in July.

"A good gardener always plants 3 seeds - one for the bugs, one for the weather and one for himself."- Leo Aikman

The 4th batch of Episcia, 3 x 5" black pot - recent cuttings transplanted; currently in a mini-nursery for 2 weeks with limited waterings, minimal sun exposure. Crispy and sturdy leaves, new growths from its main stem and new buds signifies survival (usually a month after repotting). Later, these matured Episcia will be transplanted into a planter-box to decorate the window-sill. [Updated May-2, 2009]

Pic of the mama-plant, Episcia. Blooming non-stop with eye-catching red, backed by its dark varied-coloured leaves.

Recounting the previous transplanted batches;

• 1st-watched closely as landscaper transplanted it but my over-watering killed it in a week.
• 2nd-made poor choice on cuttings in Nov however one cutting survived, 2 months later it bloomed.
• 3rd-gave away 3 pots in Feb, leaving one which didn't seem to do well at first, progressing slowly. [Update May-1,'09] It finally bloomed!
• And lastly the 4th-a plan to fill up the window-sill spot.

"Gardening is a humbling experience."- Martha Stewart

A colourful way to start your day!

Do checkout my blog Jan-3 "As iridescent as a prism in a morning room" http://jaimeboey.blogspot.com/2009/01/as-iridescent-as-prism-in-morning-room.html, for more on Lantana Camara. Pic shown are Lantana C. 'Depressa' and 'Pink Caprice'.

Jade pothos (Epipremnum aureum) box-planted, softens the stone landscape.

Winter Cherry, arrival of Spring

Spring starting March 21 (in Northern Hemisphere). The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift to the city of Washington of 3000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo - the blossoming cherry trees symbolize the arrival of spring, is celebrated between Mar-28 to Apr-12. About the same time as the annual Japanese cultural festival. While Songkran festival is celebrated on April 13 for 3 days.




















Newly planted in a pot (replaced chrysanthemums) in our garden; Wrightia antidysenterica, also known as 'Winter Cherry Tree', 'Artic Snow', 'Milky Way', 'Snowflake', 'Sweet Indrajao', etc. There are about 23 species in tropical Africa, Asia, Australia; while six species in China. It was grown for medicinal value. This evergreen will grow up to 4' to 6' high (small tree/shrub nature) in full sun exposure and blooms non-stop year-round. Propagation through stem-cutting and seeds from pods.
It glows 'white' in the dark, like stars in the night. http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Wrightia_antidysenterica.htm


This pic taken from an industry lot nearby in Ara Damansara.


Next, I'm looking out for Gardenia Jasminoides, evergreen shrub originate from China and blooms highly fragrant for a long period. http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Rubiaceae/Gardenia_jasminoides.html


























Pretties ... ;-)
L. Camara - Florida Mound Fuchsia (Magenta)
L. Camara - Gold Mould (Yellow)
Lantana Camara are mounded plants, can be weedy, have extreme heat and drought tolerance; low maintenance. Grown in full sun exposure. Lantanas (pics below), in myriads of colours, visited by butterflies everyday (planted 3 months ago).



Lantana is grown for its colours; it changes colours during different stages its life. All parts of lantana are poisonous, and the dark berries that form after each flush of flowers fades may appear - pruning of the berries will encourage flowering branches. http://home.howstuffworks.com/lantana-gardening-basics.htm




Did you know that Lantana bonsai exist? It is so beautiful! Check it out at http://www.artofbonsai.org/galleries/trout.php

As iridescent as a prism in a morning room

"There is no spot of ground, however arid, bare or ugly, that cannot be tamed into such a state as may give an impression of beauty and delight."- Gertrude Jekyll

Lantana Camara replaced a row of Ajugas in Dec'08 (ground planted Ajugas didn't survive the rainy season), which had replaced high-maintenance Coleus (requires frequent flower-trimming) early Sep'08. The colours and hues differentiates them from any flowering plant. It changes colours as it matures, see http://ntsavanna.com/lantana-camara/. Though they are a foot tall or less, I just can't wait for it to grow 3 feet for a good trim into a ball!
As it flowers profusely, it has attracted many small butterflies species. Though it is known to give out a certain odour when its leaves or stems are cut (which given its name locally as 'bunga tahi ayam' or chicken droppings) - it offers wondrous colour display like having rainbow in your garden.

Lantana Camara: Spreading Sunset, Pink Caprice, Monol, Depressa or Luscious Lemonade, while the last has many names; Miss Huff, Irene, Confetti.























Some updates on how our garden is thriving so far. After six months, Calathea Lutea had grown so tall (newer shoots seem to be competing in height), reaching our terrace roof. We're guessing 9' tall. Does a good job, obscuring view from the front, a garden trellis, yet allows breeze to ventilate freely in between their stems. And alerts us when it is raining with sound effects. Paired with Ever-red shrubs below.








Heliconia Parrot is thriving. Need to pull out new shoots frequently, when it is still young, before it roots deep, so that its colony will stay in its patch. It has the tendency to steal anyone's attention off the neighbouring flowering plants. It loves sunshine & water, a definitely must have in your home garden.

Another garden trellis idea for you. Heliconia grows up to 3' tall, obscure the view of the house-fence.






For flower gardening ideas, you could opt for Periwinkles.

Top: Our Madagascar Perinwinkle (Catharanthus Rosea) takes the center-stage. Has a predictable nature by encroaching into Ajuga's and Snake Plant's (Sansevieria trifasciata) spaces; as if 'to kiss'. This plant is temperament, it will show signs when thirsting for water. Must try not to over-water at once. It is bushier and sensitive than the Periwinkle Vinca (left). You can differentiate them from their petals and growing habit. The former commonly grown in hanging basket (leaning habit) while the later is preferred on ground (standing habit, tall).

Easy home gardening, just water moderately in the evenings and they'll bloom profusely - everyday!

Mini blooms in millions