She’s lived in Labony Estate of Salt Lake, CD Block of New Town, and has now settled near Akankha More but wherever she goes she takes her greenery along. Not only has Archana Bala brought along her pots of Roses and Bougainvilla, but she also lives surrounded by two green verges. What’s more, her co-operative society is named Hollyhock, after the beautiful outward-facing flower.
It was a pleasant surprise to move into this flat last year and find ourselves in the lap of nature. From my fourth floor balcony, we can see green verge 17 and - till more buildings come up in the area - can also see green verge 19.
On our ground floor, I grow Togor, Nayantara, Land Lotus and eight types of Hibiscus, including uncommon colours of orange, pink and cream. Indoors and on the staircase, I have Bougainvilla and foliage like Snake Plants. I often make “good morning” messages out of these flowers to send friends, and specify that the pictures aren’t forwards but from my own garden.
For Shivratri last week, I wove garlands out of Akondo and Nilkantha flowers from my own collection. In fact, whenever I see lots of flowers in bloom, I pluck them, spread them out in a bowl, and place them before the idols.
On Thursdays, I perform Lakshmi puja, for which Beetle leaf (Paan pata) is a must. Instead of running to the market for these every week, I now grow a plant right here and pluck fresh leaves to offer.
There’s also a fruit corner with Guavas, Chikus, Brinjals, Jamruls, and even Mangoes growing out of pots. The Mango plant got flowers last year, for the first time, but didn’t bear fruit. We have our fingers crossed for this summer!
Our co-operative society’s name is Hollyhock but I had nothing to do with it! It was named so well before we moved here. Nonetheless, I would like to grow this flower sometime. Maybe I’ll go over to the nursery and get some Hollyhocks next season.
In fact, now that we’ve closed the winter chapter of Marigold, Petunia, Dahlia, and Chrysanthemums, I am anyway due for a trip to the nursery to get summer flowers. I especially want colourful 9 o’ clocks, that bloom at nine in the morning and shut as the day ends.