LAGERSTROEMIA SPECIOSA

The common Rose of India has always been one of my favourite flowering trees that I used in landscaping because of the many, large flowers that come in shades of pink and purple. 

More often than not, it is hard for anyone to take close-up photos of the flowers but I was fortunate to be able to do so two months ago because the row of trees planted beside the Dragonfly bridge were in bloom. After the flowering, they would produce lots of distracting black dried capsules that explode to disperse its seeds. Ideally, it would be best to prune off the mass of capsules so as to conserve its energy but it is not a simple task that many would undertake because it would involve the use of machinery that can reach the height of the tree crown.

LITTLE INDIA MRT

The scenery and landscape around the Little India exit, beside Bukit Timah Road, has changed so much within such a short span of time since they commenced the construction works for the downtown line.

For one, the trees along the center monsoon canal were removed and a temporary road was built on it and the roads diverted and realigned. When I came out of the station, I almost couldn't recognize the place, especially when the bus stop next to the MRT exit was moved outwards by at least 15 m.

The towering cranes were everywhere in sight but the familiar KK Women and Children's Hospital is still visible in the far distance. The Bismarckia and Wodyetia palms are still there across the road at the other exit. On another side, a new condominium is up and the Bougainvilleas are flowering and draping over the parapet wall beautifully, much like the Pelargonium planted in windowsills overseas.