GARDEN OF DREAMS

Mona

Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party’...  said Robin Williams. Going by the gardens in some of tricity houses, we sure can say this party is rocking!

Manicured lawns, well-pruned plants and groomed beds result in a riot of colours. Here is catching up with some of the celebrated green fingers, who have been winning accolades over the years.

Beauty all around

Anu and Pradeep Goel share a relationship with their garden that one shares with one’s child! “Each morning we feel fortunate to wake up to such beauty — lovely flowers, varied fragrances and chirping bird.” 

Pradeep, an entrepreneur, insists that one’s garden is like the body that must be washed; so they make it a point to care for their 300-odd potted plants each day. Their garden has regular spring flowers; stock, salvia, impatience, cileria, pansy, petunia, zeranium, zerbera, and is also rich in bonsai and herbs like basil, oregano, chives, ‘kali mirch’, cinnamon and ilaichi.

TIP: One must spend time and care for the garden. Also, pick up seedlings that you can tend for. 

Vibrant hues

Dancing for my body and garden for my soul is choreographer Gagan Kaur’s mantra for life! First prize in houses less than 14-marla at the Spring Fest, her vibrant place is rich in seasonal flowers as is the backyard in vegetables. “My little garden fills me with happiness and positivity,” says Gagan. 

TIP: Experiment often; also plants should be out when it rains, it does them huge good.

Prized possession

Dipali Handa’s love for gardening is getting due recognition. She has been the recipient of the ‘Best House Garden’ of the city (one-kanal category) award in the Spring Fest festival held in Panchkula continuously for the past 10 years. Besides, she has won eight prizes this year in the Spring Fest, across various categories. 

TIP: The garden needs to be nurtured well to keep it blooming around the year, with the right combination of permanent plants and seasonal flowers. 

Rock star

Some 26 different varieties of flowers and around 200 pots in her two-kanal house in Sector 25 University Campus, Yojna Rawat, has created her own mini-paradise. What makes this colourful garden stand out is 11 pieces by Chandigarh’s original ‘rock’ star Nek Chand. “I plan my plants around the statues,” says this chairperson of the University School of Open Learning.

TIP: Mind the seasons. Also, speak to your plants and nurture them on an everyday basis.

Metaphor for life

Rupinder Pal’s garden is another award-winner, about a decade now for houses two-kanal or less in Chandigarh. “Every morning when I open up the door, it feels like we are in Holland,” she smiles. Some 500 pots in a lush green lawn and flower beds, it’s the humming bees and flittering butterflies that this lady enjoys the most. “Gardening for me is the metaphor for life,” she beams.

TIP: It’s the soil rich in desi khaad that ensure a healthy, blooming plant.

A happy family

The garden in Satluj Public School, Panchkula, was established by P Serai, chairman-director of the Satluj Group of Schools, Panchkula, Haryana, and his gardener, Ambika, way back in 2001. “It was barren land full of snakes. With my guidance and Ambika’s hard work, we have been adjudged as the best garden in Panchkula by HUDA, now HVSP (Haryana Vikas Sehri Prishad) for the past 17 years,” he shares with pride.  He insists that at Satluj the garden is not about winning awards, but a passion! 

TIP: Caring for the environment is part of Satluj’s DNA. All members of the faculty have played a pivotal role in its growth. Every flower, every plant is a member of the Satluj family. 

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