Favourite weeds

Living on a dry island where soil is largely nonexistent-the ground in most parts being either sand or limestone, I am always on the lookout for attractive “weeds” on the roadsides.

Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica)



There are two main advantages of growing “weeds” here:

One, if a plant looks good growing on the roadside without supplemental water or soil it’s likely to grow in the garden. Two-these plants are free! For instance, I planted this agave sisalina and Cephalocereus millspaughii years ago when I was between jobs, and had no money to spend on plants. Today these are among the most dramatic plants and bird magnets in my garden .



I just adore this agave-it is most likely Agave beauleriana Jacobi. It quite resembles A. franzosini This is another "weed" you couldn't give away if you tried.



I plucked this one out of a friend's yard when it was a small pup, I was attracted to the perfect symmetry-I believe it is the all green version of agave augustifolia


As for the first pic-that is Antigonon leptopus - Coral Vine on the roadside. Such a pretty vine that I have never seen in anyone's garden in the Caribbean-but now growing in mine.

On another note, Nan Ondra-I am a big fan of her blog and books-kindly sent me the news that my blog was listed in Horticulture Magazine's Top 20 Garden Blogs!

Thanks, folks!

Dahlia Delight

I saw these stunning dahlias at a florists in San Francisco in July.




I recently sowed some seeds of dahlia “Bishop’s children” This dahlia is a descendant of Bishop of Llandaff's dahlia-here’s a photo below from Wikipedia. I have never grown dahlias before but I remember when I was a child my father grew this huge purple dahlia from a tuber and pretty pompom dahlias from seeds.

Willow seedpod sculpture

Check out these willow seedpods sculpture at Paradis Express, one of my favourite blogs.

Blooms Day November

Doing my duty to bring a dash of sunlight and color to all the garden blog readers in the winter months...

Bougainvillea to infinity ( or so it seems)


Oleander-though the form of the plants don't appeal to me I like the flowers. I wish the oleander plant came in a more elegant form, as its the easiest plant to propagate and grow here.


Buds and Blooms of Kalanchoe Gastonis Bonnieri, Donkey Ears


Coral hibiscus-blooms every day. Those in warm climes should grow this more as its so easy compared to the hybrids.


macros



old and beautifully gnarled bougainvillea


My favourite Kalanchoe blossfeldia-this one had huge architectural leaves year round and bursts of yellow flowers every from November for a few months. Self seeds to rejuvenate itself every year, too.


honey scented Acacia

Picture This: End of the Line

My entry for Gardening Gone Wild Picture This Photo Contest for November


It’s the end of the line for my Agave Sisalina, after throwing out a bloom stalk soaring to almost thirty feet. But see all the bulbils ready to start a new life.

Its also end of the line for the original Cephalocereus millspaughii column, broken in hurricane Omar last year, but with a new column growing atop the old. In some islands this cactus is known as the “Dildo Cactus” and I agree with the writer who said “it is hard to imagine how a spiny and threatening cactus conjured up the image that lends this cactus its common name”.

Fall colour from Aoth

My friend from Laos, Aoth, now starting a new life in England, sent some fall images she took that are too pretty not to share.





Rainy day in town

Moon over agave bloomstalk

and a stunning sunset

Ripe Plantain in tomato sauce

This recipe is inspired by the one in Cooking with Kurma , a book which a friend had lent me some time ago. I do have to get around to buying the book.

I did not get a chance to copy the recipe so I can’t compare my version to his, but I pretty much like mine. Plantain is of those delicious and easily available foods in the Caribbean and one can never have enough ways to prepare ripe plantains. I do find that the chefs from the Hare Krishna movement (including Yamuna Devi) are very inspiring when it comes to vegetarian food, especially Indian influenced vegetarian.

Ingredients- 6 large ripe plantains
Oil for deep frying

Peel plantains and slice into 1 inch rounds. Fry in batches in hot oil turning until all sides are light to medium brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Ingredients-Tomato sauce

2 tablespoon olive oil or butter
½ medium onion, chopped or minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
(I usually put onion, garlic and ginger together in the food chopper and finely chop)
1 tablespoon ginger minced)
Hot pepper to taste
1 tbs garam masala
½ tsp brown sugar
3/4 tsp kosher salt ( or less if using canned tomatoes)
1 ½ cups whole canned tomatoes, pureed or 5 whole vine ripened tomatoes, pureed
½ cup coconut milk

To finish:
chopped fresh thai basil, cilantro or mint leaves for garnish (optional)
coconut flakes for garnish (optional)

Method
Heat oil or butter in a deep pot, add onion, garlic, ginger and hot pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garam masala, and sugar. Add salt if using and stir one minute.

Add tomatoes and cook about 5 minutes. Add coconut milk Cook on low 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add friend plantains rounds. Cook on low 2 minutes. Turn off heat and allow the plantains to absorb the sauce at least 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with herbs and coconut flakes. Serves 6.

Hint: I made double the sauce and froze half, for use later. The sauce can also be used to make a main dish using a drained can of chickpeas or fried paneer cubes instead of plantains.