It's a gorgeous white hibiscus with a purplish maroon centre!

I started the plant from seeds that I received from Dirt Princess about three months ago. Although the plant is still short (only about two feet high) its flower is huge - 5 inches in diameter!
I started the plant from seeds that I received from Dirt Princess about three months ago. Although the plant is still short (only about two feet high) its flower is huge - 5 inches in diameter!
A weekend spent in this Methodist retreat centre in Port Dickson last month was truly a memorable one for me. The beautiful surroundings were landscaped with majestic pine trees and lovely plants that blossoms magnificent flowers. The hall below overlooks the sea that is about a kilometre away.

Opposite the hall, on the right side is a small chapel.
Opposite the hall, on the right side is a small chapel.
Below pic shows the left side of my porch. I put two racks there for growing exotic plants and other plants that love bright indirect sunlight and have specific water needs. The plant that's below the Sarracenia (pitcher plant) is a Guzmania.

My first bromeliads were Cryptanthus and Guzmania. Both were such good plants as they are the easy to grow types. I bought them at the same time but since the Guzmania was only a baby plant, it has not flowered yet. The Tillandsia that's placed beside the Sarracenia is my recent bromeliad addition.
My first bromeliads were Cryptanthus and Guzmania. Both were such good plants as they are the easy to grow types. I bought them at the same time but since the Guzmania was only a baby plant, it has not flowered yet. The Tillandsia that's placed beside the Sarracenia is my recent bromeliad addition.
While there are plants that are just not growing well, some are doing pretty well. I start with bad reports...
My miniature rose has gone to a size that's as small as a moss rose! The leaves are small and turned dry, and they really look unhealthy. Due to the lack of experience on my side, the rose was totally exhausted by the recent heat and flash rains. In fact one of my rose plants had died on me. So sad :-(

My Mexican Sunflower plants were infested with small white flies. When I was getting rid of insects, most of the leaves turned yellow and dried up. These problem worsen when the weather turn sunny and hot.
My miniature rose has gone to a size that's as small as a moss rose! The leaves are small and turned dry, and they really look unhealthy. Due to the lack of experience on my side, the rose was totally exhausted by the recent heat and flash rains. In fact one of my rose plants had died on me. So sad :-(
My Mexican Sunflower plants were infested with small white flies. When I was getting rid of insects, most of the leaves turned yellow and dried up. These problem worsen when the weather turn sunny and hot.
I was delighted to find this box of fresh mixed edible flowers at a supermarket recently. This is an unusual find as we (Asian) do not normally use these flowers for cooking or garnishing. They are not cultivated here and were grown and packed in the highlands.

What interests me is the Dianthus flower that's in the box. I recognised it very quickly as I have just bought a few pots for my garden. What a coincidence!
What interests me is the Dianthus flower that's in the box. I recognised it very quickly as I have just bought a few pots for my garden. What a coincidence!
Cosmos Bright Eyes has brought a complete hue of orange that ranges from yellow to tangerine to my garden. This plant that started from seed took only about two months to flower. Now, I have orange flowers on both sides of my compound.
These Cosmos together with Chinese Hatplant are at one side. The plants that have same hues on the other side are Mexican Sunflower, Chalice Vine and Hibiscus. Although all these plants are still not in full bloom, in time to come, I am sure they are really going to add lots of cheer to my garden.
Plumbago, with white flowers, is one of my recent addition to complete my white and purple corner. I placed this young Plumbago next to the Sandpaper Vine and Gomphrena that bears purple, white and lilac flowers.
These Cosmos together with Chinese Hatplant are at one side. The plants that have same hues on the other side are Mexican Sunflower, Chalice Vine and Hibiscus. Although all these plants are still not in full bloom, in time to come, I am sure they are really going to add lots of cheer to my garden.
Plumbago, with white flowers, is one of my recent addition to complete my white and purple corner. I placed this young Plumbago next to the Sandpaper Vine and Gomphrena that bears purple, white and lilac flowers.
For this Gloxinia to re-bloom, I have two persons to thank. Firstly, Ha Xuan who has shared with me on how to get the plant to re-grow and bloom. And secondly, Julia who has helped me to water my plants when I was away during the Chinese New Year holidays. Both are really big blessings to me and my garden :-D

The process is simply cutting off all its leaves (basically the whole plant) after the all flower buds have blossomed. But I left a tiny plant to re-grow. This is probably why it grew so fast... it took about two months only.
The process is simply cutting off all its leaves (basically the whole plant) after the all flower buds have blossomed. But I left a tiny plant to re-grow. This is probably why it grew so fast... it took about two months only.


