Our archipelagic tropical country is at the middle of our rainy season. Our plants are more lush and our gardens are usually full, if not of ornamental plants, then probably with weeds. Maybe that is talking from experience, because even if i am trying to have a decent garden i cannot cope with the growth of weeds. So be that as it may, i just change my perspective and hope that weeds protect the soil from erosion, provide food for whatever biological entity need it for existence. So, another perspective is that i allow more food available to support the food chain. That is to assuage my feeling of inadequacy in maintaining a neat garden.
Another fact that these period of climate change is giving us is the limited amount of rain even while in the rainy season. So we only get them together with typhoons! It might be an advantage that we get more than the letters of the English alphabet every year for the typhoons, meaning rains will be available for our vegetation.
Available only during the wet season - Chrysothemis pulchella
Pentas lanceolata (red)
Ixora javanica becomes a tall bush. It is planted under some trees also as nectar plants for the butterflies. It stays as a perennial, but flowers most profusely during the rainy season.
the profusely flowering Ixora javanica does not receive any cultural management
Garlic vine, Pachyptera aliacea, is planted only to maximize the value of the jackfruit tree which is not fruiting anymore due to probably some disease. It now serves as a live trellis to the garlic vine
red Cosmos bipinnatus, is planted specifically as butterfly nectar plants
Cosmos is a photoperiodic plant where internodes elongate during the long days.
All year round semi-terete Vanda, also self supporting
Asystasia intrusa, as the name implies is invasive. We just try to cut or pull the plant with the roots to lessen its growth, but it is beautiful.
its nector is loved by this male butterfly, Wanderer, Parantica boebera boebera
one clump of Asystasia intrusa that was constantly pruned
a beautiful foliage of Song of India, Dracaena reflexa
an old caladium variety providing life to dull corners, also favorite of hawkmoths
Hoya carnnosa (red)
Hoyas receive more special attention in my garden, it has a hoya house and watered daily when it does not rain, sometime even twice a day when needed.
Hoya 'Viola', a well sought after hoya by the butterflies. Despite many species blooming simultaneously, the butterflies converge here. ...and i have a lot more hoya for more future posts.
