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Michelias & Canangas
 It is heartwarming to see old favourites and traditional trees lining the modern streets filling the air with familiar aromas. If Europe is iconised by their roses and lavenders for their fine fragrances, we Asians should be proud of our Michelias (cempaka) and Canangas (kenanga, ylang-ylang); the subtle essence of classic perfumes adorning ladies of high society.
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A Little Herbal Garden
 When one of our readers, Clara called and invited us to visit her garden we were delighted but did not know what to expect as she said it is a very small garden. The home is an end lot so there is no extra land like in a corner lot. Clara however has made full use of all the available space and I find myself going into micro mode, looking at how amazingly creative she is in her planting.
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How Plants Are Named
 Continuing our series on “How Plants are named”, this issue will feature four interesting plants namely Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Catharanthus roseus, Clerodendrum thomsonae & Codiaeum variegatum.
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Singapore Botanic Gardens’ National Orchid Garden
 If the world famous Singapore Botanic Gardens, newly awarded a Michelin 3-star rating for excellence as a tourist attraction, is the island republic’s pride and joy, then the National Orchid Garden (or NOG for those familiar with the grounds) has to be its crown jewels.
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Rehabilitate The Lawn
When renovations were done on this house, the lawn was badly affected, due to the construction work and debris. During the period of construction, weeds grew, stifling the grass and normal weeding became impossible. The owners decided to rehabilitate the lawn.
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Plant the Four-Angled Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)
Also known as winged bean or kacang botol and kacang kelisa in Malay, this bean belong to the same Leguminosae family as the French beans and long beans. However while the French beans and long beans take 3-4 months to bear fruit, the four-angled bean will bear flowers after two months of planting and in 20 days, the beans can be harvested.
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FLORIA PUTRAJAYA 2009
Garden and flower shows in Malaysia only started a few years ago, when in 2004 the Landscape department of the Housing Ministry decided to have a Garden and flower show in the Lake Gardens. It became a 2 yearly affair. Floria Putrajaya had their first Floral event in 2007. This year it hosted the 2nd show.
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A Hobby In Bird Watching
In past issues, you may have already read my articles on types of birds i.e. woodpeckers, barbets, etc. For this issue, I would like to share with you about my personal view about the hobby of bird watching. Probably, some of you have already done bird watching – although not entirely the actual bird watching hobby. However, if you have ever stared at a bird and noted its color, shape and calls, then trying to describe it to someone or even searching for its name, you may have taken the very first step in bird watching.
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Cooking With Four-Angled Beans
Various dishes prepared with four-angled beans such as Sayur Asam (Sour vegetable soup), Sambal tumis kacang botol (beans in spicy sauce), Stir fry four angle bean leaves, Four-angled beans with peanut, sauce and Ulam.
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Decorating Small Rooms
Small rooms need small decorative arrangements. Notice how the décor in hotel restrooms now have small plants in little containers. These do not have to come from the florists.
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