I was away for a few days and couldn’t respond to comments on my last post. Thank you all so much for stopping by and dropping me a line. I was in Delhi with my son and busy with admission to a college there and also finding accommodation for him. My friend Pauline was of great help here. So thank you, Pauline. My son starts college in July. I can imagine how quiet the house will be with him away for most part of the year!
Delhi was HOT! A punishing 44*C but it was wonderful to be back in Guwahati where, when we touched down, the welcome (weather-wise) announcement said that the outside temp was 27*. Bliss! I got back home to find this Rose of Sharon/Hibiscus syriacus blooming. Somehow I have not been able to capture the exact colour. It’s brighter in real life. And I hadn’t paid much attention to it the past year. last year in August, I had picked up a pruned stem which lay with other twigs and grass clippings at my parents’ yard. I brought it back with me and simply staked it in an empty pot. Looking at the bloom now, I know I’ll need to give it a whole lot of TLC.
We’re getting plenty of rain and many areas of the state are flooded. The scene when I got back home from my mother’s in mid June was like this (below). The skies were about to open up. These rice fields are on the way towards the city.
Not much change…it’s cloudy most of the time. I got this picture of a red dragonfly on a ledge where I keep some of my potted Flax lilies. See how grey the sky is!
There’s more lavender blooms, again in a container. The one pictured below is the delicate tiny bloom of the Jewel of Opar/Talinum paniculatum.
Even the seedheads are pretty. Reading up on the plant I found that it can be invasive but that hasn’t been the case here. Propagation is by cuttings and by seeds. The leaves are fleshy and variegated (of the ones I have). The rainy season seems to bring out the best in this plant. I love the way the stems and leaves fill up the container.
There are so many plants whose names I do not know but you, my wonderful blogger friends, have been so helpful. I learnt the name of this plant from Susie of Digging In The Dirt. So, once again, thank you Susie! Every time I see the plant I think of you!
I wish you all a great gardening week!
Terra farmer 
The Hibiscus is beautiful! Congratulations Kanak on helping your son get ready for college. I know how torn you must be: he is ready to go but having him leave will be a little tough. I remember a doctor friend saying, ‘your reward as a good parent is seeing your children go’.
Hello Diana, thank you so much! I agree with your doctor friend. I only wish that my son will learn to do a whole lot of things for himself….soon!
I can understand the feelings of a mother when her kids are not around. It’s difficult, but as you know, your son is going to get a good education. Congratulations for him.
That hibiscus looks lovely and the Jewel of Opar too. It’s a cute little flower that made me smile 🙂
Chandramouli, thanks for all your good wishes. I’m glad you liked the blooms!
That Jewel of Opar is such a cutie and that hibiscus is really majestic looking. I think their blooms are just so exotic.
Oh Kanak reading your posts brings back memories of my eldest leaving home to go to University and wondering how he would cope buying his own food and cooking along with studying away from home in a big city. But he did it! But saying goodbye that first evening was so hard and likewise I’m sure it was for you too. Just think the times he will come home in the future will be so special – mine was home for a night last week and it was such a good feeling to have all of my brood under the same roof for a change.
🙂 Rosie
Thanks Rosie! Till now I’m worried about the food part…how will he ever manage?? And eating out at all times is so unhealthy! But your words have encouraged me. Left on his own…maybe he’ll change. I hope he does, although it’s going to be difficult initially. Thank you for sharing about your eldest son.
Congrats to your son. I wish him a very successful year at school.
Thanks Kanak for sharing these lovely pictures today. We have very hot temperatures during the day and then heavy rain storms at night lately.
Hoping that you are enjoying your week.
Mildred, thank you so much! We’ve got cloudy skies with the threat of rain but it only drizzled these past two days. I’m re-arranging most of my potted plants. The rain has done them a great deal of good!
Hope you’re having a good week too!
Cangratulations to your son for joining the Delhi University. I can understand your feeling of emptiness.
The Jewel of Opar seems to be a jewel indeed. Is it a shade loving plant?
Thanks, Padma. I’ve had the plant in full sun before but now it’s in a place where it gets the afternoon sun. Seems to suit it fine.
Kanak you are so sweet! I’m glad you like the Jewels of Opar. This year at the nursery where I work we had one that was bright green/lime. It looked real pretty with those little pink blooms.
We are finally getting some rain. It has been so hot and humid here.
Have a great week!
Thanks Susie! I’ve seen the lime ones on the Net. They’re pretty too! Glad to know that you’re finally getting some rain!
Jewel of Opar is so pretty! No wonder the name is so special. My hibiscus syriacus grows really slow. The plant has grown taller but not the number of leaves. For me, it is quite a hard plant to please as compared with the normal hibiscus that I have. Your bloom colour looks really unique 😉
Hope your son settles well in New Delhi. It’s a really crowded city. Did you visit the magnificent Taj Mahal when you were there? I recalled waking up early in the morning for a one day tour to Agra but I enjoyed it very much 😀
Steph! There was no time to visit even some of the famous landmarks so a trip to Agra was unthinkable.I’ve seen the Taj before but I’d love to be there again. maybe some other time….But I’m so glad to read about your visit!
When the flowering is over (for now) I’ll be transferring the hibiscus to a bigger pot. I can’t wait to see how well it does next year….with all the care that I’ll be lavishing on it!!
Thanks Kanak for sharing these awesome captures. The hibiscus color is very different and beautiful. Best wishes to you and your son.
Birdy, thank you so much! i hope you’re having a great photography week:-)))
The flower of Jewel of Opar looks like a miniature cherry blossom!
Best wishes to your son. I’m sure he will love the experience of studying in Delhi.
Thanks Shailaja…I hope he does. And I’m glad that you liked the tiny blooms!
What beautiful pics! Delightful as always. I love coming here – I feel soothed.
Congrats on your son entering college. Time passes quickly, doesn’t it?
Wendy, oh it does!! Will head over to yours soon…always love your visits!
Hi Kanak, i’ve been out for a while too and you have posted a lot, i’ve looked at them just now. Thanks for citing my link related to the Clerodendrum. I realized even if you are in the high elevation and subtropical, our vegetation seems the same. Those you posted are all available here too. The squash you refer too, we call chayote, and the black berries we call duhat. I’ve dropped from this tree when i was a kid, fortunately not a broken bone!
Your H. syriacus will get some darker color if you put some saturation in the MS photo editor. Your kids are beautiful or handsome i suppose, because they are already teenagers, and the husband handsome, hehe. BTW, i realized we have long dry season which killed many of our fruit trees because most of the rains fell in your area.
Hi Andrea, it’s wonderful to read about the same plants despite the distance between us! And I’m glad I posted about the squash…or else I wouldn’t have found out the many names it’s known as!
Will try out your tip {I’m technologically challenged:( } but I hope to learn….
And thanks for all your comments on my kids/hubby (hehe). Sad about the fruit trees. I hope rain goes your way next year. We could do with less.
Hello Ayung,I went through ur blog through papa’s phone …it is very interesting and I have learnt a lot !!!!. And yes , wonderfull pictures!!!!
Vani…I’m so GLAD you did! What a lovely surprise to see you here. And thank you for leaving your comments. Made my day!:) I hope I see you here from time to time. *Hugs to you*
Kanak, I know you will miss having your son at home all the time but I’m equally sure that you’re going to be so proud of your independent son. There’s nothing like staying away from home to make a youngster mature really fast!
44 to 27 … that really must’ve been bliss! But I didn’t know that you get to enjoy the South-West Monsoons too. I just love this season of rain and cool days.
That Jewel of Opar is really well-named, isn’t it? Jewel-like colours through and through.
I’ve missed dropping by here all these days. I had forgotten to bookmark your new site address and was wondering I was not seeing any updated posts. Silly me!
Hello Sunita…that’s so true! About youngsters maturing faster that way…
The temps didn’t stay 27 throughout. It’s humid now. Today’s max is 33 and min is 28…sigh! I love the coolness too but it’s just that the roads turn to shallow canals;) Glad you liked the Jewel of Opar. Lifts my spirits…the sight of those tiny blooms.
Loved that you stopped by…will be at yours soon!
Hi Kanak, The mauve Rose of Sharon is beautiful. Good that you planted a cutting. I think Rose of Sharon comes in many disguises, mine looks different. It happens with common names but they are easy to remember. I have this problem to with photographing my mauve and purple flowers or a special blue.
Never mind it is lovely. When I did not have the time to visit you regularly I always go back to look at your older posts. There is always something interesting and wonderful to see. Have a nice week. Trudi.
Trudi, it’s the same for me here as well! I love seeing your exotic collection of plants. Thank you for your kind words….always a pleasure having you over! Have a great weekend!
Your blog and your garden are beautiful — I’m so glad I found you. I think the climate here (near Houston, Texas, USA) must be close to yours, because we grow many of the plants you have. Thanks for posting — wonderful!
Hi Elizabeth….I have come across some wonderful Texas bloggers. I was surprised to see the plants in their garden as well. Many similar ones. Thank you for stopping by….I’ll be at yours soon!
Such wonderful shots!
All the best to your son who has stepped out to face the world on his own. He will do well I am sure. 🙂
Indrani….thank you for stopping by!