Garden surprises are a must
By Satish Narula

A GARDEN without surprises holds no attraction. No doubt a garden is remembered for its layout, quality of plants, their upkeep etc. But there are certain features that make it unique and different from others. Such features have the advantage that they can even be replaced or altogether removed after sometime, giving the garden a new look. The plants’ range available is the same but those who have imagination can plan the same plants in a way that is supported by certain features or structures that give them a lift. The placement is so that it seems the plant is made for that particular location. Both plants and features are complementary to each other.

Those who have made water structures in their garden mostly use the weeping willow, bottle brush, pines etc. It is not always the plants that make up for the ground cover. Stones or pebbles play an essential part in landscape beautification. Of late, marble chips of big size and various colours are used in combination with plants. In the garden where space permits, surprises like an orchid corner with various epiphytes hanging from bamboo containers, or simply fastened to the branches of existing trees, or a collection of various ferns exclusively provided with suitable microclimate provide an arresting sight.

Display of various kinds of statues gives exclusive grace to the garden. They become the spots of emphasis. Such displays give the garden a pious look, and make it a perfect place for resting and meditation. If the plantation is matching, it becomes the focus of the garden.

In case of display of statues, however, care has to be taken to select those plants that go with it. For example, if the statue of an animal like an elephant is kept, it should have plants around it that make it half visible, half hidden to give a jungle-like look. In the accompanying photograph, a ground cover planting of sedum (black-leaved) will do wonders as the dense undulating growth of this plant gives the look of water flowing all around. Short-statured perennials like verbaena that gives perpetually sparkling blue flowers, supported by white river stone of about four inches diameter placed in a round bed would do wonders.

Those who are planning to put some fruit plants in the ensuing planting season are advised to keep some restraint in planting. There are chances of plant mortality in case of early planting. In fact, when there is heavy rain followed by sun, there is every chance of roots getting damaged. You can prepare the land for receiving the plants sometimes after the 15th of August. Plants of citrus, mango and litchi should preferably be planted during September-October.

Prepare one-metre-deep pit of one-metre diameter. Refill the pit with a mixture of top soil and rotten farmyard manure. Give water to let the loose soil settle down. Make up for the level if need be with the same mixture to bring the level up to the ground. To each pit, you can add five ml of chlorpyriphos 20EC, mixed in about 2 kg soil against white ants. At the time of planting, too, you can add a bucket of water, added with chlorpyriphos.

This feature was published on July 18, 1999