Alluring Amaryllis Flowers

Putting aside garlic and onions, Filipinos are not too accustomed in plating bulbs.

Less attention were given to them evethough some bulbs can blossom a majestic flower.

Around May, we have orange amaryllis blooming in our frontyard. They are really nice to see around but sadly they can only flower once or twice a year.

Pink Amaryllis Flowers

It was just recently I discovered that other colors of amaryllis exists and can grow well in the Philippines. There are red, pink, whites and combination of the colors.

I searched and bought these colors and planted them on seedling bags.  The pink amaryllis above is the first flower bloom from the plants I bought.  I can't wait to see them produce more flowers in the next years. 

The photo at the right is the appearance of amaryllis bulb, each bulb will produce roots, leaves and eventually flowers. By the way, don't bury the whole Amaryllis bulb under ground. Leave a third portion of it visible and above the groud.  Write down comments if you are interested in planting these bulb. I'll help you find your planting material.

A walk in Eton Centris

Eton Centris is a commercial area just a few steps away from MRT Quezon Avenue station. Aside from a mini-mall called Centris Station, business offices, call centers, and restaurants, this is where you can find lazer tag area and Elements.

Every sunday 6am up to 2pm, there's also a market here which includes fresh seafoods, clothes, decorations, plants, trees, and pets.

Despite its proximity to traffic-jammed EDSA hiway, Centris maintains a relaxing ambiance because it surrounded by plants, palms and trees. Here are some of them:

Bonsai Culture in Philippines

Similar with other Asian countries, Bonsai is also popular in the Philippines as a form of hobby and to some as a profession and source of living.

I knew Bonsai when I was in high school.  Who's not curios about a foreign sounding word such as Bonsai?  For those who don't know Bonsai is a Japanese word for the art of growing dwarfed trees and plants. Bonsai can also refer to the miniature plant itself. Compared to the usual tree of the same specie, bonsai has smaller trunks and smaller leaves.  It is just a mini version of a large tree.  Imagine a 10-year old sampalok tree that can fit on a small regular size pot.

But back in high school, I have no idea of the price of Bonsai.  I never knew that it can cost up to thousand of pesos.  Who will trade thousands of pesos for a small tree ? But after realizing all the hard work, dedication, time, love, care just to maintain a bonsai, I accepted that it is truly reasonable. Making bonsai is a long and uneasy process.

Sampalok Bonsai Tree

Vertical Landscaping on Dusit Thani

At the side of Dusit Thani Hotel, near SM Makati, in Ayala, there's a mural painting.  Ah ah ah. Nope,  they're not paintings but a set of vertical gardens. Real ornamental plants with different shades of green  were planted on a vertical manner to create an outstanding wall. 

It's uniqueness and freshness is soothing to the eye. They are just block of greens but the variation of plant's colors and shapes make it more alive.. 

 Actually, the idea is not new.  There are other modern condo's and supermalls that feature vertical landscaping but they are not common. MMDA have this kind of arrangement on EDSA but they are not well maintained. Most pots are empty now and others have wilted plants.   (Is it really managed by MMDA? or by other agencies? ) 

Aside from its pleasant look and feel, vertical landscaping saves up space. If the total area were planted horizontally, it will cover the sidewalk.  It can also save up water since the excess water from plants above can drip down to the plants below them.

Easy to propagate Zinnias

The first and the most successful flowering plant that I planted from seed is zinnia.
I planted around 100 dried seeds taken from a neighbor's garden and more than 80% of them became my first zinnia plants.


The good thing about zinnia is their ability to flower again and again. But they always die no matter how you care for them. I think that's their lifecycle. But another bright side is that they produce too much flowers and seeds and they are more than enough to have another batch of zinnias.


In fact, a lane of zinnias that I have now propagated on its own. The zinnia take care of itself and I did nothing. No seed gathering, no seedling preparation, no transplanting, no watering.
Okay, I transferred some of the plants because they are uneven. There are areas overcrowded of zinnias so I need to replanted them somewhere else.


Originally, the variation on my zinnias were highly visible but now there are more pink, purple and red zinnias.For some reason, these zinnia colors continue to thrive more compared with my yellow, orange, and whit zinnias.


Are pink, purple, and red zinnias being pollinated by bees more often than the others? Probably. There are some research regarding color recognition and discrimination of honey bees. .


I highly suggest planting zinnias. Seeds are available in the major malls SM and Robinsons, in hardware stores like Ace Hardware and Handyman. Sometimes, it also available in National Bookstore.  If you don't want to plant from seeds, zinnia plants with flowers are also available in Quezon Circle and other plant stalls everywhere.

By the way, there are many types of zinnia. There are different colors, different number of petal layers (single, double, multiple), and different heights. You can find dwarf zinnias in the market.

DMCI Raya Landscaping in Pasig

The best thing I like about DMCI condominiums is the inclusion of gardens and ponds on their amenities. And they are not the usual simple landscaping you'll find in front yards.

The photo below is taken on DMCI Easyt Raya Gardens in Pasig.  The source of the big boulders puzzled me. Where did they pick these large rocks?  There might be sellers of rocks out there but I definitely have no idea how they priced these kind of over-sized stones.

 I also noticed here that some of the units up above has sufficient planting area for ornamental plants Other owners grabbed that advantage and designed their mini-gardens. When viewed from below, they looked amazingly elegant like a floating garden.

Hmm... the water is not so clear but it is not too green either. Good job!  I noticed that there's no too much sunlight  that can penetrate on the pond but I'm not sure if there are other techniques employed for the maintenance.

Yessamine Landscaping

Along the Taal, Batangas hiway going to Lemery's Centro Mall or Taal Polymedic Hospital, you'll find assorted plants for sale being displayed by Yessamine. 

Aside from ornamental plants, they also offer landscaping, jars and pots, swimming pool, and koi ponds. 

Here are the other plants for sale on Yessamine.


The first one is called bird's nest but it is also known as "Pakpak lawin" in Tagalog
I'm amazed that this plant has a female and male classification. Male are characterized by narrower leaves and they costs less compared to female.

By the way, compared to the other plant sellers I know, plants here are generally offered cheaper.

Bird's Nest

Blue Iris

Ginger

Impressive Landscaping on Lima Technolgy Center

When going to Batangas via Sto.Tomas/Tanauan), your eyes will likely stare at these spectacular landscaping in Lima Technolgy Center, Malvar/Lipa area. I believe this is the widest and best landscaping concept which is visible along the highway of Lipa.

My visit is unexpected since I just went near the area to look for a place to eat and drink ( 7-eleven store) after searching for big plastic drums for sale. The drums were out of stock on a nearby store but I luckily captured some photos of these plant arrangements. Thanks to the security persons who allowed me to take some pictures.

I can't identify all the plants used in the landscaping below but my best guess are green dust, fukien tea,  and royal palms.

Gazing at a Stargazer

STARGAZER

Most flower bouquets during the Valentines and Mother's day season contain this flower - Stargazer (Lilium Orientalis).  They say that pink stargazer's symbolic meaning is wealth and prosperity while white varieties means purity and sympathy.


The first stargazer plant for sale that I found  is on Tagaytay City near Rotanda.  I asked for the price and I was shocked with its 250 pesos tag price. That was around 2013. The flower is not propagated in Tagaytay. If I remember correctly, it is from the north. Either Baguio or Benguet. With its 250 price, I understand why a bouquet with  stargazer and assorted flowers can reach up to a thousand pesos.


The stargazer photo above is from Eton Centris Maket taken on August 2015. Each plant costs 200 pesos.  You'll find the Centris Market Stalls open every Sunday from around 6am-2pm.

Welcome to Tropical Garden Inspirations

Hi,

This 2015 I became an enthusiasts of plants, landscaping, and gardens.
I spent some hours on visiting plant exhibits (mostly orchids), witnessing landscaping competition, and strolling on plant and garden shops in the Philippines and I decided to share my experience, learning, and discoveries on this blog.


On this blog, I intend to share plants and garden landscaping in the Philippines. Sine the Philippines is a tropical country, most of the plants that will be featured are tropical plants.
Please expect an informal style of writing since I'm not really gifted on blogging.
By the way, I'm not a landscape artist also. I'm just a fan of ornamental plants and other amazing plants


Dan