Hibiscus

One of the newest additions to my garden is this beautiful Hibiscus. Although ever since I got it I have been wondering about why on earth did I not have it before, maybe its because they seem to be around everywhere in Islamabad and is one of those plants that you just take for granted and don't really appreciate. Mine is still in a pot while I try to figure out a space for it. One of the neighbours has a yellow hibiscus growing outside his house........me thinks I need to get one too :)

Vinca Rosea

If ever I had to name my top ten plants then Vinca Rosea (Madagascar Periwinkle) would be up near the top. The reason being.........its just so easy to grow. In a climate like ours its a godsend..........my plants started flowering in early may and as you can see in this photo they're still going strong in early october. 

During june and july this year when temperatures were above 40C most of the time, these were the only plants I didn't have to worry about........the less water they got, the more they bloomed!!! Now that's my kinda plant!!!!

Okay so I have been missing in action for over a year but my garden has been giving as much pleasure as ever. Just in the past summer season we had zinnia's and vinca in full bloom, along with a few cosmos........although I never planted the cosmos this year...........they just seed themselves year after year. Now as the weather is turning and the nights are getting cooler we in Islamabad have a last chance to plant some marigolds before thinking about the coming winter season. Stay tuned for some lovely marigolds in all their glory to colour the autumn days.

Antirrhinum - 'Snapdragon'

One of my favourite flowers, these come in all sorts of colours and sizes and make a wonderful addition to any garden.

Pansies

Pansies are one of the easiest to grow flowers in Islamabad and flowers in all kinds of hues are beginning to bloom all over the city.

Pansies are not fussy plants, they will grow best in loose, rich soil. They flower best in full sun and will get spindly in deep shade. Pansies DO NOT like heat and will begin to decline as the days warm up. They do need regular watering nowadays because daytime temperatures have already climbed into high 20s (Celsius).

Aphids can be a problem with these plants but a natural soap spray usually gets rid of them quite easily.

I have to admit, this deep purple colour wasn't one of my favourites when I first started growing these flowers but after a few seasons of seeing them pop up again and again I have become quite a fan. Its such an unusual colour in flowers and I have to confess.............I think I'm falling in love :)

First flowers of 2011

Finally the wait is over, the first flower of this season has finally opened and its a beautiful blue/purple pansy.