Softscape for courtyard garden

Feeling the Tranquility within ... There is a richness within every human being. There is a possibility to feel peace within every human being—the peace that we were born with and that will be there for as long as we live... peace from your heart, .. be independent of all the outside circumstances for that peace, for that joy. It exists in your heart... because what lies at the end is the fulfillment of a lifetime. - Maharaji



Our courtyard is always cooler with high humidity than the outdoors, partly due to receiving only 2 hours of direct sunlight (mid-day). Therefore, we need easy-maintenance indoor plants, i.e. Pandan leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius), water plant (we were told it is water-orchid), Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum), Happy Plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana) and trailing Pothos Devils Ivy (Scindapsus aureus).




Why keep natural plants indoors ?

http://www.greenpatio.com/why.shtml

Water plant's young leaves sprouting after the blooms died.

(view of our ever-hungry comets ;-p)

Heliconia

We were out-looking for evergreen bloom and easy to grow in this hot, humid and rainy weather. During the early half of the year, our weather was unbelievably baking-hot.

Highly recommended by our landscaper (without a blink of the his eye), Heliconia psittacorum 'Olympic Dream' or 'Parrot'.

Planted during our second garden-maintenance. Growing well and gradual.

Blooms last to a week until its petals fall off then it is time to trim.

Leaves are lush green and plenty makes a great hedge along the length of the wall.

http://wyevale.shootgardening.co.uk/sitePlant.php?plantid=5075&name=heliconia-psittacorum-olympic-dream

Below are the stages of heliconia's bloom;

Its early-bloom similar to a 'bunga kentang'. Bloom unfolds, its striking orange colour brings life to our garden. Later, when all petals has fallen its colour fade and wilt.

• A simple guide on how to grow Heliconia in your tropical garden, http://www.banana-tree.com/How_to_grow_heliconia_Tip.cfm
• Heliconia Planting and Care, http://www.montosogardens.com/rhizome_care.htm

Alternative garden trellis

Calathea lutea has grown up to 5' tall in just 4 months after planting! Hot-baking or soaking-wet is not a problem for this plant. Read about its 'time movement' characteristic called 'paraheliotropism' as described in this blog; http://ntsavanna.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/calathea-lutea-food-wrapper/

A wonderful landscaping idea, for a garden trellis, of having Calathea (grows above 3' tall) parrallel with the Ever-red Fringe (Loropetalum chinense 'Chang Nian Hong') covering from ground level up to 2' tall, see http://jaimeboey.blogspot.com/2009/01/as-iridescent-as-prism-in-morning-room.html. Ever-red shrub has extremely dark chocolate burgundy foliage retains its color year round. You'll get the constrasting greens and reds colours to catch preying eyes from the front fencing and the backyard. https://azdomino.monrovia.com/monroviaweb.nsf/0a83b0ead1fe053a8825716c0073637d/4a6bf4dfdacda78f88257359005e0d6e!OpenDocument

Landscaped by Bukit Rimau Nursery. Calatheas are tied in bunches for a neat coverage. Our neighbours were recommended of their service for hassle-free grass-maintenance, flowering advises and foliage ideas.

Another landscaping idea of having Sanchezia Speciosa - it has gorgeous leaves, deep green with white main and secondary veins, making it look like a Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa). It likes full sun, regular watering, fertile soil and high temperatures. Another plant-recommended by the nursery.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64320/
http://www.kartuz.com/pc/54266/7RFPL1/Sanchezia+speciosa.html

Sanchezia shines with variety of colours and patterns on leaves as each leaves matures. Newer leaves sprouting at the top; mostly yellow will turn green as it ages. [Update May-1, 2009]

Best of all it creates a comfortable shelter for little birds to nest. [Update May-1, 2009]

Yellow Alder brightens your home garden

A view of our garden.
Manila Palm (Adonidia merrillii)
Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) http://www.jaycjayc.com/sansevieria-golden-hahnii-flowers/



Yellow Alder (gift from our landscaper) is attractive not just to the humans !
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/PlantFinder/plant.asp?code=A540

See a small bee enjoying its nectar.



A miniature praying mantis and a lady bug, looks like preparing for a wrestle, who you'd think will win ?



Update on Mar-30: Nursery @Jln Hicom gave a better and accurate description of this plant. It's called Yellow Alder (Turnera ulmifolia) species of plant of family Turneraceae, native to Mexico and the West Indies.
Blooms sporadically all year long; The yellow blooms are 2½ inches across and last only one day. Prefers full sun and a fair amount of water to keep from wilting on hot days - try not to over-water.
Propagate through cuttings at any time of the year, roots easily in water or moist sand.
Do note that its leaves have a pungent odor when crushed that some people find offensive. http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week045.shtml