Flower Beds in Bloom

Lot of beautiful flowers in my flower beds today. Very nice cool morning, but got a lot hotter during the day.



Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) - This flower is also called Rajanigandha in my part of the world. Rajanigandha means 'night fragrance' - as these flowers release their fragrance at night and smell absolutely wonderful. They grown on green stalks about 3 feet high and have a bunch of blooms at the tip - which are white in color and very fragrant - specially in the evenings and night. It's really nice to sit in the garden in the evening with the amazing fragrance of these flowers permeating the air. These are also quite long lasting and the flowers remain on the stalks for weeks. These also make great cut flowers arranged in a vase.

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) - Carnations come in many colors. They are really easy to grow and need full sun light and good watering.

Red Carnation

Pink Carnations

White Carnations

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) - Also called Pot Marigold, Calendula has very beautiful leaves and nice sunny yellow flowers. Very easy to grow, good sunlight and water is all they need to flower all year round.

Blossom Bell - This is the name that the nursery gave me for these flowers. I am still looking for the correct botanical name. These are locally called 'Sankranti Bel' as these flower around the Sankranti festival that is celebrated in Maharashtra.

Gazanias (Gazania krebsiana ) - Gazanias are very colorful and pretty flowers that open at dawn and close at night. The flowers have a peculiar spiky look when closed and have waxy green leaves that look really nice. They come in many colors such as pink and many shades of yellow. Super easy to grow.

Zinnia (Zinnia peruviana)-Zinnia's are my all time favourites. They grow rapidly from seed and each plant has multiple flowers that stay on for weeks. Red, violet, orange, pink and many other colors make this plant an ideal flower bed resident.

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): I absolutely adore the green nasturium beds with large edible saucer shaped leaves and beautiful yellow and orange flowers. Very prolific plant that grows vigorously and fills up a garden bed in no time.

Salvia (Salvia pratensis) - Violet Salvia below is a fast grower and a perennial that adds a nice touch of color to the garden. With violet tube shaped flowers that attract bees and insects, this is a prolific plant that add all year color to the garden.