Human nature can be so capricious; there was a time, just three months back, when I was almost cursing the weather for being too cold, and today, with the May Sun shining overhead in its full glory at 43 degree Celsius, I am yearning for the ?good old, nail biting, mind numbing, freezing? cold days! 
The garden is feeling the heat too. Roses are drying, croton is definitely not looking happy with the weather.
Temperatures here are now running in the Forties and they can be absolutely hellish in the noon; but when in I look at the defiantly standing heat loving plants I get inspired to not to be bogged down by the heat, instead to face the weather proactively without allowing it to sap my spirits out. Ixora
Manihot Esculanta 
Caladium
Quisqualis Indica or Rangoon creeper 
Gulmohar 
After all it might be intolerably, unbearably hot out there?But who minds the heat when it is also the time for the luscious Mangoes, juicy pomegranates ? which are growing in my garden ? lovely watermelons, muskmelons, litchis, peaches?not in the garden but available in the market. This juicy summer bonanza does take the sting out of summers somewhat. 
Summer is also the time for visitors of a different kind, like this Dragonfly(popularly known here as Helicopter insect), which thoughtfully paused for this shot! Times change and with it the weather; each season comes with its distinct flavor and frustrations; it is up to us to either savor the flavor or to whine about the heat. It cannot be easy to remain cheerful outdoors with sweat tumbling in loads and blood sucking mosquitoes trying to make the most of your presence, but with the beautiful blooms beckoning, I lift my spade and shovel and go gardening to reap the fruits of my Sweat and Blood ? literally!
Garden is an ever changing place, brimming with life, with something new being added everyday. Be it the new bud which sprouts, the flower that freshly blooms or the winged garden visitor that chances upon this humble abode; things never remain constant. These are the ways nature acts to continually keep its creations interesting, and as is human nature I too felt compelled to add my own bit to the change, which I did by adding some Pots I bought from the roadside earthenware Pot vendors in Delhi.
These beautiful earthenware pots are an ode to the potter?s wheel which is losing its relevance in the contemporary world to mechanization and Plastics. Cheap, Eco-friendly and very suitable for plant growth, these Pots, in various shapes and sizes are a delight to grow plants in. 
In a Hot and dry place, as is my part of the world, these earthenware pots are almost, and thankfully, irreplaceable; by virtue of their porosity they keep the plants cool even with scorching temperatures outside. 
Gardening has been one area where the synthetic alternatives have still not proved equal to a basic earthenware or clay pot, and thus, has ensured survival of traditional clay pottery art.
A small time town near Indian Capital city, called Khurja, has developed this special kind of ceramic pottery painted in vibrant blue colors; a unique combination of clay with quartz and Feldspar, lending a lustrous sheen to the product. This beautiful creation from the austere Clay has put an otherwise non-descript town of Khurja on World Map.
Thanks to the revival of an interest in ethnic and retro, the good things of past are making a come back.
Time sure runs fast, especially Spring season, which always appears ephemeral. Just a few days back ? or so it seems ? I was complaining about too much cold, and in a jiffy seasons have changed; already spring is beating a retreat. But, not before I have caught the spring splendor with the same old eyes behind a new pair of camera lenses. So here I enlist the blooms at Indiagarden as part of GBBD started by Carol at Maydreamgardens:
Pansy
Lantana
Pink Oleander
Roses 
Pentas
Hollyhock
Tomato bloom
Californian Poppy
Onion Bloom
Pomegranate
Carrot Flowers
Gazanias
Candytuft
Gaillardia
Marigold
Some things simply prove to be a blessing in disguise! My old digicam developed some strange snag and won?t work howsoever hard I may try, it was pure misery. The first couple of days went showing the thing around to supposedly more electronically oriented friends of mine, but the problem, it seemed, was even beyond their technologically superior brains. It is so remarkable that whenever you are deprived of something, you yearn for it the most; precisely that happened to me as I saw beautiful blooms and butterflies, bees and birds, things I failed to appreciate with a working camera, but were beckoning when the damned camera won?t work.It was then that I decided that the time is ripe to reward myself with a brand new camera, a Sony cybershot H10. 
Armed with my new acquisition I set out to capture the dwindling charm of Spring in retreat.
It is still a Rosy picture with spring deciding to stay a few more days before it is officially the start of summer season.
Daytime temperatures are touching 33-35degreeC and the petals of this giant Dahlia appear to be a metaphor for the blazing Sunrays.
Spring is comfortable and beautiful, and with it go the gorgeous butterflies but not before they have done their bit to help propagate the blooms.
This little fruit is going to grow all the way into a sweet, luscious Mango and with my taste buds tingling in anticipation; I?ve a very delectable reason to look forward to summers.
But these are the blooms in my life which do not come and go with season, which need more than usual pampering but then they also reward with such warm licks and hugs?
Beautiful weather, School Holidays and an extended weekend (on account of Good Friday being a Holiday), things were just perfect for a weekend outing. This time I decided to spend the weekend at my Aunt?s place in Dehradun.
Dehradun is a beautiful valley nestled in the Himalayan Mountains. Although it is a distance of only 72Kms from the city I live in, but the fact that it is a valley makes its weather so much better and suitable for growing plants. It is a beautiful house and very well maintained; I especially loved the tastefully grown plants.That is the walkway to the house; perfect rectangular stone pieces fitting snugly in soft grass?
A perfect setting to sit back in silent contemplation on a leisurely day ?
The Euphorbia Tirucalli and a wine coloured Begonia,so different from each other, blend here in complete harmony.
A creeper with some lovely flowers and interesting leaves...but what's the name?
Sedum Morganium in a hanging basket.
A Begonia in a small pot.
Chuparosa or Justica Californica trained on a pole with flowers hanging like little bells.
Clover leaf plant-it grows as weed over here, but this dark coloured variety is rare and thus ornamental. 
It was a short but very satisfactory visit, although b'coz of time constraint, I didn't get to explore the outdoor locales of Dehradun much... but very soon I wish to visit Dehradun again to capture its scenic beauty in my camera.
( P.S.-The plant identified here as Justica Californica is actually Russelia equisetiformis or Firecracker Plant. Thanks Nicole for pointing out the correct I.D.)
Now that?s one time of the year to which I look forward to very eagerly; its spring time folks! And the blooms are all ready to be caught on a camera to be displayed in a GBBD post.
Gazanias and Dimorphotheca
Bougainvilleas
 
Candytuft
Poppies
 
Phlox
Nasturtium
Begonia
Gerbera with Phlox
Rose
Daisies
Mango blooms
Pansies
 Kalanchoe
Sweet Peas
And finally my good luck charm
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Blog Directory ID: 192
Blog URL: http://indigarden.blogspot.com
Google Pagerank: 5
Blog Description: Diary of gardening experiences of an avid gardener in India
Blog Category: Home & Garden Blogs
Blog Owner: Priyanka Gupta
Blog Added: March 23, 2007 01:24:52 PM
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