Chennai Summer is a mixed bag. It's when we have the humid heat sapping our energy and the power cuts that leave one grouchy. Yet in compensation, we have vacations, delicious summer fruits and summer blossoms.
The apartment complex where I live has a common garden that's teeming with shrubs and trees. Summer is when I get to see them all in bloom. Heralding the season is the Copper Pod Tree. This tree showers beautiful small golden flowers throughout the day, forming a lovely soft carpet for us to walk on. When this tree is done, the Gulmohur takes over. The flamboyant, flaming gulmohur flowers are a favourite with children. A dozen games -- which only a child's brain can conjure up -- can be played with this flower.
Apart from all the usual summer flowers, this summer, our garden earned a bonus. The Galangal, a special kind of ginger, offered to bloom. This was the first time in four years that it has flowered. Even the regular ginger flowers are a rarity. Ginger only flowers if you let it grow for a couple of years. So when the galangal blossoms appeared, it was indeed a kodak moment.
The apartment complex where I live has a common garden that's teeming with shrubs and trees. Summer is when I get to see them all in bloom. Heralding the season is the Copper Pod Tree. This tree showers beautiful small golden flowers throughout the day, forming a lovely soft carpet for us to walk on. When this tree is done, the Gulmohur takes over. The flamboyant, flaming gulmohur flowers are a favourite with children. A dozen games -- which only a child's brain can conjure up -- can be played with this flower.
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| Copper Pod Tree |
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| Gulmohur (Flame Tree) |
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| Galangal Flower |
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| Galangal Plant - From the Ginger Family |
vasanti said
ReplyDeletehaven't seen a galangal plant bloom so thanks for the picture.
I am in awe of your blog and your pictures are absolutely gorgeous. I have always wanted to have my own little kitchen garden. Someday when i do that I know where I can find some useful information..
ReplyDeleteDivya, thank you for your comment. I am very flattered. Actually, I have a modest roof top garden and the plants I grow are really very easy to grow. It's amazing how little the plants need and how much they give in return.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteDo we get galangal in Chennai to grow!? If so, where?!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where all in Chennai, you could get Galangal. But if you're interested, drop me a mail. You could come over to my place for a specimen.
ReplyDelete