A Little Trapical Sanctuary

Most gardens are extensions of the house, very seldom a separate entity. As we turn into the gates of this home, the fairly large detached house look like it has a simple landscape with a few bamboo plants in pots and some Cestrum nocturnum at the entrance of the front door. However one’s attention gets diverted to a separate entrance of a pergola, showing a pathway leading in and lined with bushy pots of ferns. The entrance promised lush growth, as we could not see through the foliage. Walking in through the path, as expected one gets transported into a different realm. Our hostess Datin Embun has created a little sanctuary for herself and her family. Sitting in the centre, on the wooden benches made from wood logs, one can experience the tranquillity with the tropical foliage overhanging in the space and sounds of running and falling water.

Growing Strawberries! In the lowlands of the tropics?

Just as homes in the temperate countries have conservatories or greenhouses to plant tropical plants, we can now have extensions to our homes in the tropics where temperate plants, vegetables and flowers, can be grown. In the tropics, most of the temperate flowers and vegetables are grown on highlands where temperatures can reach to below 15˚C in the night and maintain a mild 26-28˚C in the day. The mountains are sometimes shrouded in mist but most of the time sunshine is plentiful. This gives a perfect condition for the planting of temperate vegetables and cut flowers. However excessive land clearing for the farming is causing concern about the ecosystem in these mountain areas.

The KLCC Park

The Petronas Twin Towers has become an icon for Malaysia as it became the tallest twin towers in the world. It was built in the development of what was considered the last prime development in the city of Kuala Lumpur. Heading the development was the late Tan Sri Datuk Seri Azizan Zainul Abidin, the then Chairman of KLCC (Holdings) Bhd. He had the support, guidance and encouragement of the Prime Minister then, YAB Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad. In order to give the best of both worlds to the people of Malaysia, a metropolitan park was designed and built in the 50 acres development, to ensure that there are enough open spaces and recreational areas in the city.

In the words of Dato Seri Dr Mahathir, “the KLCC Park is very much a peoples park. By virtue of its location, and fed by various transportation modes it is easily accessible to city dwellers.” The park was designed to showcase a heritage of tropical greenery in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city. Some 19,000 trees representing 66 species out of which 63 mature trees were the original inhabitants of the land are in the collection in the park.

Pruning Murraya paniculata (Kemuning)

Murraya paniculata or Kemuning is a scented plant that can grow into quite a tall bush. The plant can be let to grow upwards in a straggly manner if not carefully nurtured and pruned. A well tended plant can grow to a bushy shrub and can be a good candidate for topiary. A simple shape can be maintained by just simple pruning.