A roof garden that blooms round the year!

Hyderabad: When PB Shelly wrote, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” the great poet might not, even in his wildest dreams, have seen something like this tiny terrace in the concrete jungle of Hyderabad that blooms throughout the year.

It is the season of chrysanthemums and the arresting host of flowers that grace the roof of K Parthasarathy’s house in West Marredpally in Secunderabad are the showstoppers for the months of November, December and January at the yearlong flower show, if one may term it so. Once the chrysanthemums begin to fade away after January, petunias take centre stage along with roses.

There is never a dull moment and hardly ever has a month gone by when the roof is bereft of colours and this is happening for the last 30 years. The retired law officer from IDPL says, “There are some flowers that bloom in winter, a few varieties in summer and others all round the year. With experience and lots of love, one can make sure to have a colourful garden for 365 days.”

Born in an agricultural family and brought up in the lap of nature, it was natural for the 77-year-old to take to plants, more so, flowery plants. He admits he is partial to flowery plants and does not care much for ferns.

What makes the roof a riot of colour is the methodical manner in which the pots are laid. Varieties of chrysanthemums are placed in rows with impatiens in lilac, pink and white in the foreground. When the time is up for the former to go, they take backstage and rubiaca becomes the showstopper with verbena, lantana and gladiolus garnering all the praise.

People complain about their inability to keep plants alive and how some plants die within a few days after bringing them from a nursery, we asked ‘Gulabi’ Parthasarathy, as he is also called for his love for roses. “People either overwater plants, or do not provide enough shade. Some need partial shade, others good sunlight. Proper care with foliar spray, micro-nutrients and constant care is essential,” he says.

Parthasarathy attributes the terrace garden for his fitness and happiness. Tending to plants and spending time amidst thousands of flowers is what keeps him going. They are my soul mates in a way, he says, as he helps us descend the stairs.

By T P Venu