Autumn garden: Spanish flag vine

A couple of months ago as we were visiting a friend's garden, I noticed some vibrant flowers on a vine. I got few seeds from the friend's garden and planted them in the pot. At the time I didn't even know the name. The seeds I got not only germinated but are robustly growing and flowering, which makes me think that it may be an invasive plant. For now, I am not going to worry about that; I will enjoy this beautiful, flowering vine. The bright yellow and orange flowers make me smile every time I walk by them. After doing some research, I found out that this vine is called a Spanish flag vine. When it is in full bloom, the colors of these flowers look like the whole plant is on fire.

Some of these flowers ended up on the kitchen table.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes),please check out my books, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen and Trader Joe's Simply Indian at my website komalinunna.com.

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Creating a garden room

This is a garden room outside the family room to sit, relax, and dine with the family.  It is a space that transitions from the house to the garden. Garden walls are created with potted plants filled with beautiful foliage. My entire garden is a tropical garden. This space allows me to experiment with different color schemes. This is my spot to sit and sip a cup of chai overlooking the garden after full day of hard work.

Much needed shade is provided by the jasmine vine on the trellis all day

Different view of the garden

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes),please check out my books, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen and Trader Joe's Simply Indian at my website komalinunna.com.

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My colorful patio

I love having color in the garden. Many times we can achieve this by using lots of flowering plants. Bright beautiful flowers against green foliage is pure magic. When I use flowering plants, often I have to replant to bring life into my patio before the season ends. But I have a different approach to bring color into my outdoor living space. I use foliage plants in the containers to bring the long-lasting color.  Coleus are my all time favorite foliage to use in my patio. Please come along and enjoy the tour. This is the place I entertain all through the spring, summer and fall. 

In this space Ambuliton, also known as flowering maple, gives the height and drama against contrasting blood coleus. 

These flowers are called cassandra, which was a favorite of my mine growing up in India

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes),please check out my books, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen and Trader Joe's Simply Indian at my website komalinunna.com.

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Wow-us-Wednesday

Creating plants from cuttings

Even though it is the middle of winter, I am already dreaming about my spring/summer garden. This year I am planning my Spring garden with vibrant colors. I am more of a foliage lover. I like to have colorful plants throughout the garden especially on my patio. The reason I like foliage is because when you plant interesting foliage plants you get to enjoy beautiful colored and unique foliage throughout the season.

To plan a spring garden, one of the thing I do is make more plants from the existing plants. Rooting plant cuttings is the easiest technique to make more plants. It is a more economic way to plant opulent garden.

I have decided to make more plants from my favorite plants coleus, geraniums, Persian shield and blood coleus from my patio.

Soft wood(fresh and new growth) cuttings are the best for rooting. I use a sharp pair of pruners to make cuttings from the mother plant.

 Before you make the cuttings look for the nodes. Nodes are the place where the leaves and branches grow. The cut should be just below the node. Clip the leaves off the lower third of the shoot so you have a bare stem to insert in potting soil.

Fill small pots with a drainage hole with well-drained soil and pre-moistened soil. Make a hole with a pencil in the middle.

Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone (rooting hormone such as Rootone is available in nurseries. This will help cuttings to root more quickly). Immediately insert cutting in the hole.

Some plants are easier to root than others. Keep the soil moist all the time. It will take anywhere between 6-8 weeks to root. Patience is key.

First, I started with my favorite plant: Persian shield

Keep some of the leaves on the cuttings for photosynthesis purposes

Blood coleus is ready to go through major trimming

and coleus

Gathered assorted cuttings

Hope all of them root and survive!

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes),please check out my books, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen and Trader Joe's Simply Indian at my website komalinunna.com.

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Metamorphosis Monday
Show and tell

1. 

My colorful patio

 I like lots of color in my patio all through spring, summer and fall. The only way to achieve that is by bringing colorful foliage such as coleus. Unlike flowers, foliage can provide color throughout the season without fading.

Grouping of colorful pots in front of the kitchen.

This year's favorite plant of mine is Persian shield. I used it throughout the patio. The secret to a good design is repetition.

Here I used a Persian shield combination of yellow and maroon shrimp plants.

Blood coleus again with Persian shield and coral bells

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes),please check out my books, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen and Trader Joe's Simply Indian at my website komalinunna.com.

Sharing at:
Tablescape Thursday
Common ground
Foodie Friday and everything else
Inspire me Tuesday
Wow-us-Wednesday