Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Rarity in all its purity

The care and commitment of Suresh and Uma reflects in the greenery of the garden, says Harjeet Kaur Allagh

PHOTO: RAJU. V.

FEAST TO THE EYE The green patch lends a fresh look to your abode PHOTO: RAJU. V.

Lush vegetation is a rarity these days. House owners in cities are doing away with gardens due to lack of time and proper maintenance. But that is not the case with the home of Alluri Suresh and Uma, located in the heart of the city-Labbipet. Their home, built almost 25 years ago, boasts of huge trees and plants all around the house. Suresh is a businessman running the Icon Agro private limited and has good knowledge of the use of fertilizers and manures. Gardening is a hobby for him.

A huge curry leaves tree stands erected at the main entrance ushering the guests into the interior. It is surrounded by varieties of ferns, a tall Christmas tree and red Heliconia. Beside it is a brightly flowered, yellow Allamanda tree, encircled with different species of crotons like, Dieffenbachia, Agloenema, Gold sun, caladium, etc. All these plants have been chosen as they need low maintenance and are perennially green.

Smooth rocks

The house faces the west and in the front is a private area. It has a very calm and cool nook with a small enclosure built with brick red jalidaar terracotta tiles filled with water. Smooth stones are placed in the centre with the statue of a danseuse placed in the centre.

Suresh himself does landscaping while Uma overlooks the day-to-day maintenance. In front of the pond is a huge boulder and two massive Trojan horses. Another pot with three heads of elephants on its side has a marigold flowering in it. Beside it is a light pink Euphorbia in full bloom. A small lantern sits on the ledge along with a black terracotta goblet. An enormous black urn too has a pot on it of pink daisies. The Cycas seems to be a favourite with all garden lovers. It grows like a giant fountain in a few years and looks good in the centre. The two Cycas plants in Suresh's garden were planted almost 15 years ago in the small patches of lawn. The lime green hedging of Duranta is well manicured. Pink and white daisies accompanied with Marigolds and red and white roses add colour to the garden. All the pots are painted with red oxide powder, giving it a rich earthy look. Lantana's and Aediniums bring up the rear.

Overlooking palms

Further down the garden lined with multi-colured crotons is a lotus pond with a small footbridge leading to a black tiled patio with a sloping roof. This is the family's' own private oasis for relaxation and entertainment. It is a very romantic spot, privacy being provided by the bushes around it.

There is a stone bench alongside to rest tired muscles or just chill out. A huge king palm overlooks the bench. Wall brackets made of cement hold different pots on them. An old Neem tree is almost sucked up by a clinging Alocasia.

Suresh loves to read a lot, as do Uma and their two children, Deepti and Ramakiran.Deepti loves only the rose bushes in the garden Ramakiran likes to surf the net, play computer games, watch TV and is also a budding poet. He is an introvert and is happy in his own company. Says Suresh, "my garden is my pride and helps me to de-stress and relax".

The house is old and so the backyard is filled like an orchard. A mammoth mango tree overshadows the Banana, Guava, Lemon and Custard apple trees, and all providing fruits in their various seasons.

`Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything to which a man gives his heart!'

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail