The connection with nature, momentarily hushed during the winter months, is joyously re-established as the green grass and open spaces come alive with the vibrant hues of numerous varieties of flowers in spring. The joy of those who have passion for developing their own garden space within the house, and have toiled tirelessly to cultivate and nurture the botanical wonders, knows no bound. With expert hands and boundless passion, they coax life from the earth by tending to each flower with tender care. And, when their gardens are recognized with awards the pleasure turns to joy of intense contentment.
Asha Adlakha (EH -2, 006, ground floor, Eldeco Utopia) received 3rd prize in the Small Garden category, by the Floriculture Society of Noida during the Annual Flower Show. Shifted to Eldeco Utopia two and a half years back, this is the first time she participated in the competition. Her daughter-in-law motivated her to participate and sent in her name for the competition.
Mrs Adlakha loved gardens and gardening ever since a child, as her father was in the defence services and they had huge garden spaces in the bungalows they stayed. Married to an Army officer, her interest continued. She was happy to show, “Seasonal plants in my garden are dahlia, stalk, ice plant, petunia, calendula, pansy, different varieties of lilies, succulents, carnations, verbena, anthurium, chrysanthemum and ranunculus. All colours of bougainvillea and plenty sansevieria, I have… all this keeps me always close to nature.”
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Smiti Kumar ((SV-1, 005, ground floor, Eldeco Utopia) got 3rd prize in the Medium Garden category, in the Flower Show. She started gardening after marriage, which gradually turned to passion and her love for gardening grew. After shifting to this home, in 2008, she started devoting more time to the garden.
Smiti entered FSN competition for first time this year, “On my daughter’s insistence,” she told us and walked us through her garden. The seasonal flowers – calendula, alyssium, dahlias, stock, antirrhinum petunias, cineraria, pansy, nasturtium and dimorphotheca – have thrown riot of colours to the landscape. At one corner she has a small patch for veggies – spinach, radish, celery, coriander, mint, lettuce and parsley. She adoringly pointed out to a lemon tree, which is full of flowers, ready to give juicy lemons after a couple of months. There is a neem tree and curry-patta as well.
Her collection of bonsai plants, which she has been nurturing over the years, is exclusive and so are a few succulent trays.
Preparation for this wonderful glory of the flowering season begins in October–November with sowing of flower seeds/planting of saplings.
