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.
I wish that I could have more of these pretty and cheerful blooms in my garden. They are just spectacular!
Gomphrena was the champion amongst the many seeds that I have sown earlier. But Mexican Sunflower is the shinning star! The intense orange colour is just amazing.

My first flower bloomed in an unusual way. The disk-florets in the centre opened while the petal-like orange ray florets were still rolled up. Then I learnt that daisies are made up of two types of flowers - disk florets in the centre and petal-like florets at the periphery. Together, they give the appearance of being a single flower known as capitulum.
Gomphrena was the champion amongst the many seeds that I have sown earlier. But Mexican Sunflower is the shinning star! The intense orange colour is just amazing.
My first flower bloomed in an unusual way. The disk-florets in the centre opened while the petal-like orange ray florets were still rolled up. Then I learnt that daisies are made up of two types of flowers - disk florets in the centre and petal-like florets at the periphery. Together, they give the appearance of being a single flower known as capitulum.
In my earlier post, I have tried to experiment shrinking the size of my Bird's Nest Fern as the plant is taking a lot of my garden space.

After I chopped the root shorter, the new leaves grew narrower and smaller. Much later, I repotted the rosette into a small shallow pot with very little soil at the bottom. The fern has grown back to a healthier state with nice propotionate foliage shape now. Henceforth, I am pleased to report that the method really worked, as to-date (ten months later) the leaves are still a quarter of its original size!
After I chopped the root shorter, the new leaves grew narrower and smaller. Much later, I repotted the rosette into a small shallow pot with very little soil at the bottom. The fern has grown back to a healthier state with nice propotionate foliage shape now. Henceforth, I am pleased to report that the method really worked, as to-date (ten months later) the leaves are still a quarter of its original size!
Earlier when I saw the 'little bird flower' plant (read more in my earlier post) for the first time, I must admit that I didn't think much of it as I thought it's merely another plant that would be popular for just a while. But as Chinese New Year is drawing closer, this plant has suddenly attracted a lot of attention.
Well, after growing this plant for a few months, let me share with you the good news... my plant has been producing 'bird flowers' non-stop!

The other little blooms are the Portulacas. Although they are not that 'photogenic', their colours are bright enough to catch anyone's attention :-)
Well, after growing this plant for a few months, let me share with you the good news... my plant has been producing 'bird flowers' non-stop!

The other little blooms are the Portulacas. Although they are not that 'photogenic', their colours are bright enough to catch anyone's attention :-)


