The Gardenia gjellerupii was flowering again in the Golden Garden and that set my heart fluttering with excitement.
However, I was mortified by the severe nutrient deficiency displayed by the very beautiful tree. The interveinal chlorosis was apparently quite serious.
Some distance away from this part of the garden, I saw the Common Tit (scientific name: Hypolycaena erylus teatus) butterfly on the leaves of the Antigonon leptopus, where it was wriggling its two tails on its hind wings. Across the other side, I am still in awe by the beautiful coloured leaves of the Bauhinia semibifida var. perkinsae, where the red Russelia flowers took a peek from amongst its leaves.
The Ficus has also started sending down its aerial roots.
When we reached the adjacent carpark at this part of the park, I noticed a drastic difference in the appearance of this area since I last visited this site. From afar, I could see lush vegetation and colours, so I took a quick walk through this tranquil trail where I gave my inputs on enhancing it as a butterfly friendly environment.
The change in the landscape is uplifting when I saw the pink flowers of the Antigonon leptopus wrapping around the perimeter railings, beds of butterfly host and nectar plants e.g. Calotropis gigantea (common name: Crown Flower), trellis of Aristolochia and Quisqualis.
The cable car cabins that were salvaged also add a different dimension and ambience to this place. I am sure even the squirrel agrees with me. I think this place is transformed for the better, even if there are no new butterfly sightings.
With this post, the visit to the Southern Ridges came to an end.
I did some maintenance of the plants recently but when is my Quisqualis indica going to flower? It has put out so much leaves yet not a single flower is in sight.
The evident flowering plants are Catharanthus roseus, Plumbago zeylanica, Antigonon leptopus and Lantana camara and montevidensis.
