Flowers from our Backyard

Over past few years we grew some flowers in the backyard. A few Annuals & a few Perennials. The flowers were great hostess to the the bees , dragon flies, Humming birds and many other kinds of bugs and birds. I was always happy that it kind of provided a little field trip experience to my kids everyday.

About 3 years ago we spread some sun flower seeds in the backyard. The seeds we got were "Wild flower mix for Arizona". The label on the box said that these flowers would invite a lot of birds. I must admit we had a lot of 2 winged visitors ever since. Every spring since 2006 we have had tall, bright , big and beautiful Sunflowers. The blooms started in Spring and lasted almost through fall. Some of these plants grew to be almost 6 to 7 ft tall.
When the Big head of sunflower peeped over the concrete walls to the street .. Almost felt like some one was eve's dropping.

This flower is no stranger to anybody who has had a chance to visit India. Yes it is Jasmine

or Malle Puvvulu. The striking white blooms with very strong fragrance. I would put together a handful of these into "Gajra" or "Malle puvvu maala" occasionally as an offering to Deity. I have had these plants for about 6 & 1/2 years. For a few years i grew them in containers and then transferred them to ground. These Plants like acidic soil,bright Sun. They are low maintenance plants they shed a few leaves, which means less cleaning. Every Spring after the fear of Frost is gone. We strip off the leaves from the plant and keep the soil moderately moist. In a weeks time the new leaves start to appear. And soon these flowers appear and fill the surroundings with a pleasant scent.