CHENNAI:Suchitra Kaul Misra experiments with some exotic and ornamental varieties but a large part of her garden has flowering creepers and plants indigenous to Bengaluru such as Jacaranda, Alamanda, Jasmine, Morning Glory, Begonia, Vincia and Alba Sky Vine.
She says, “I am partial to native plants because they require less water, less fertiliser and less or no pesticide. The best part is that they invite the local birds and butterflies and help support the local ecology.”
Her passion for gardening was sparked by her science teacher in junior school. “In order to better teach how germination works, our teacher had asked each of us to germinate seeds. We were to closely monitor the seeds development. As the days passed by, I witnessed what was at the time a miraculous transformation – a small seed, within just a week grew roots and sprouted a stem. The experience of witnessing the miracle left an indelible impression.”
She says her experience of planting, watering and pruning her garden inspired a drive in her to nurture and nourish – both with regards to plants and humans. “I named my home, ‘The Healing Garden’ and I practice spiritual healing and teach laughter yoga, which I believe to be nourishment for the soul.” She feels a strong kinship to basil, she says adding, “It is the queen of herbs which I revere for its sacred as well as healing properties. As a holistic healer myself, I strive to embody the spiritual and medicinal qualities of this unique plant.”
Her all-time favourite plant is the lotus. “Hailing from Kashmir, I have memories of mountain lakes filled with lotus blooms. In my garden here, I have built a waterfall with a lotus pond. Untouched by impurity, the lotus symbolises for me the purity of heart and mind. I also cook the lotus stem which we call ‘nadru’ and it is so delicious.” But she says she will never plant Durian because of its pungent smell as the fruit ripened and the potent stench when it is cut.
Ask what plant she would like to have in her garden and she says, “I would love to have the ‘Chocolate Cosmos’ flower in my garden. It grows in Mexico and has a rich chocolate scent which is irresistible.”
She suggests some books on gardening. “The Readers Digest Illustrated Book of Gardening was a valuable resource for me over the years. It is quite comprehensive and informative. The Well-tempered Garden by Christopher Lloyd is a classic read for the pleasure of gardening. Another excellent guide book is Meera Uberoi’s The Penguin Book of Gardening in India which covers whole lot of do’s and don’ts of gardening.”
Her grandmother was her inspiration. “If an orange or papaya was exceptionally good, my grandmother would never throw the seeds away. In small ice-cream cups of yore, she would plant them and when they sprouted, she would distribute them. Her small acts inspired me and today I find myself doing the same thing.”