SOUTHERN RIDGES 7

I was on familiar grounds once again. It was so heartening to see the Amesio and Caesal looking so good. 


There was also the bed at the base of the bridge that I love so much. Although it wasn't planted by me, I still love to see the contrast between the various plants e.g. Sanchezia nobilis and variegated Sanchezia, variegated Excoecaria cochinchinensis, Ligustrum 'Lemon Lime and Clippers'.


Once again, I don't know the identity of the blue-flower shrub but it reminds me of the Blue Ginger (scientific name: Dichorisandra thyrsiflora; Family: Commelinaceae). By the way, this plant is related to the uncommon Siderasis fuscata (common name: Brown Spiderwort, Bear Ears), which I now know the name. There is also that very beautiful green wall planted with the likes of Philodendron erubescens 'Gold', Caladium bicolor and assortment of Episcia cupreata.


Most of the vegetation is looking so lush and green and even the Trevesia palmata and Caryota zebrina are growing taller than me now.

TREES

Sometimes, it is interesting to look at things with a different perspective just by looking them from an aerial view. At the Floral Walk, one can look at the landscape from the bridge going up to the Alexandra Arch linking to the Southern Ridges.


From where I was standing, I was looking at a Chocolate Soldier (scientific name: Junonia iphita) sipping nectar from the white flowers of the aggressive climbing weed Smilax aspera growing on the crown of the trees at Floral Walk.


I love to see the different colours and textures of the 2 trees that I planted - Amesiodendron chinense and Caesalpinia ferrea. The former was displaying some nutrient deficiency symptoms but its slightly feathery-like leaves were lighter in colour.


Across the other side of the Alexandra Arch, I took the photos of the flowering Albizia falcata. Walking back towards Floral Walk, I also noticed that the crown of the Amesiodendron showed a 2 tone colour - a lighter green and a light cream colour. Deep inside the crown were the heavily damaged older green leaves caused by chewing insects. There was no sign of any pests on the leaves though.

WATER GARDEN

This is an uncommon Amesiodendron chinense tree (Family: Sapindaceae) that I learnt in recent years when I planted it at HortPark. I love it so much that I planted it at a prominent location at the Water Garden such that visitors to HortPark would see it when they enter or leave the main entrance. A link on this unusual tree is shown below:

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200013180

Every time I past by the site, I would knowingly or unknowingly steal a glance at this beautiful tree, especially when the leaves are flushing red and lime green. Who can miss such a spectacular beauty amidst us?

I wish they are planted in more parks and streetscape areas.

As for the floating platform in the pond that was there previously, it was replaced by a ring of Pistia stratiotes.