Plan a perfect combination
By Satish Narula

WE normally plan to fill the flowering gaps in the garden by planting a few shrubs during such period when the garden has no annual flowering plant in bloom. But can we plan something that continues all the year round? Yes, we can by planting mussaenda with poinsettia.

These two species form a perfect continuity combination. The attractive bracts in both these cases are such that even a single plant of each species could enlighten the garden as specimen plant. Mussaenda is a plant of the summers and sheds its leaves in the winters. On the other hand poinsettia is at its best in the winters. The ‘flowering’ in both is so timed that as one finishes, the other gets initiated.

Mussaenda sheds its leaves in the winters and goes dormant. At this time the plant gives the appearance of being dried up or dead. This happens as the temperature starts falling down in the last week of October. This is the time when the terminal growth of poinsettia starts turning red. Give complete sun exposure at this time. It enhances the process of growth of ‘flower’ bracts. The wonderful flower of poinsettia is at its best during November to March. It starts fading and shedding leaves. This happens in the end of March. This is the time when mussaenda starts forming colourful bracts at its terminal, completing the process within a month or so.

Mussaenda comes in three colours — pink, cream and red. The last one is, however, not much suitable to this region. Usually the gardeners feel that it does not multiply easily. Do it this way. Take terminal cutting about four to six inches long during the growth period or preferably monsoon. Plant in sand and keep two-thirds of it below. Keep it moist. It will not disappoint you.

Both mussaenda and poinsettia are costly plants. Poinsettia (fireball) is costlier.

Mussaenda could very effectively be used as specimen plant. It also gives its best when planted near the gate. A group of three mussaenda plants, two pink and one creamish white, if placed near a place where we receive tubelight at night, gives its best.

With both mussaenda and poinsettia there is one advantage. These can be pruned and contained for growth. You could clip back mussaenda in December and poinsettia in May. Poinsettia could easily be grown in pots, too. They form excellent Christmas plants. Fireball is weak, hollow and slimmed and, therefore, needs support. The soil used should be light, allowing perfect drainage.

This feature was published on March 14, 1999