My Secret Garden (Jungle on A Windowsill) - Participant# 105 || 2004 Contest

Bougainvillea 'Blueberry Ice' (I started my collection with this plant and has been with me on all my learning experiences)

I started my plant collection 4.5 years ago.

When I started my plant collection, I was in my mid-twenties and had very less patience. In this process I killed some of my initial very hard to kill plants with over watering (expecting they will grow faster with more water) and poor light conditions.

I am really glad that my plants have taught me patience and to take it slow and watch them grow and enjoy natures beautiful creations.

Hibiscus 'Full Moon'

Epiphyllum Oxipetallum (This one taught me to be patient, I bought this plant in 2.5 inch pot and after 3 years it has bloomed last year. I woke up around mid-night to watch this flower in full bloom)

Clerodendrum Thomsoniae

I usually like to get 2-4 inch plants and enjoy watching them grow. A new leaf, a bud, a flower gives me immense happiness.

Every year in spring and summer I try adding new varieties to my collection.

After I get my new plants I research about them on web and make notes and follow those instructions. TopTropicals has been very good source of information. I came across this site when I was searching for information and since then has become one of my favorite site. With work, two small kids I find time to look and enjoy my plants.

Clerodendrum Thomsoniae

Abutilon 'Moonchimes'
This year addition, and has started to bloom in couple of weeks

Mini Waxed Hoya

Jasminum Sambac 'Maid of Orleans' (My brother gave this to me last year for my birthday, and has been growing and flowering constantly since then.)

Jasminum Sambac Grand Duke

Trachelospermum jasminoides

Murraya paniculata

I got this one 3 years ago in 2.5
inch pot. Has grown well, and this year it has started to bloom.

Trachelospermum jasminoides

Bromeliad (Guzmania)

I am happy to see couple of pups growing at the base of mother plant. When I started my plant collection bromeliad was one of the plant that, I killed with over watering.

Plumeria

One I have started from a cutting and
another from seed. Still waiting for their blooms.

Nematanthus 'Black Gold' - Gold Fish Plant

Ficus (This has grown quite a bit in last couple of years.
I decorated this with birds, bird nest and butterfly's to give tropical look)

Lipstick Plant (I planted this in the pot my son made
at his pre-school, for Mother's day)

Musa zebrina (This year addition)

African violet

Cestrum nocturnum (in the back is Arabian Jasmine)

Jasminum tortuosum (this is a wonderful gift that I got from my cousin.)

Jasminum tortuosum
(in the back is Arabian Jasmine)