Apr 11, 2011

The Green Romantic Lay

It bechanced in the Autumn of last year in a little green city of Plantville. The fall of the city was not yet conceived at that time, when butterflies loved visiting the city and reveled in its beauty.

It was then that the most unlikely event bechanced – the love of the immortal (perennial) and the mortal (annual). The love between them was magical though. The moment both saw each other, the air was charged with love.

Ms rosa-sinesis fell for Mr annuus' charm.
(Sunflower - Helianthus annuus - Sûryamukhî)
In his quirky talks and charming manners, Hibiscus felt young again.
Never was there a day that they fought with each other and were the perfect couple of Plantville.
Hibiscus' friends counseled her, tried to speak sense into her but her love for him was blind. Honey couldn't see her friend doing this to herself.
(Cape Honeysuckle - Tecomaria capensis)
She coaxed lovely mortal dames to court sunny, but his love for Hibiscus could not be broken!
(Eggplant - Solanum melongena - Hingula)
(Cypress Vine - Ipomoea quamoclit - Kâmalatâ)
One night, when their lord (moon) was radiant and full and the auspicious constellations were bright and fair, the young lad proposed to the wise beauty.
She felt rejuvenated. Delight filled every cell of her and she bloomed crazily, showing her assent.
(Hibiscus - Hibiscus rosa-sinesis - Prâtikâ)
Then was it decided that the two would be married. The divine knots would be tied. Priest Bee was called, friends and kin were invited.
(Arabian Jasmine 'Grand Duke Of Tuscany' - Jasminum sambac var. 'Grand Duke Of Tuscany' - Jâtî)
(Bride Whirling Butterfly - Gaura lindheimeri 'The Bride')
Lady Autumn wove a lovely robe for her daughter and Athel Summer adorned his son with exquisite garments.
(Ixora [Jungle geranium] - Ixora coccinea)
Gerbera sang a lovely tune
(Gerber daisy - Gerbera Jamesonii)
and the Oleanders danced about.
(Oleander - Nerium oleander - Karavîra)

The butterflies too put a show.

 
The Priest Bee began chanting the incantations 
and came around the city.
He wanted to know if anyone had any objections in this divine union.
(Holy Basil - Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn. - Tulasî)
 
(Amaryllis Lily - Hippeastrum hybrid)
None looked up except the Old Hag (one of the oldest denizen of Plantville who claims that she's been alive for aeons). Wise one that she was, she remained silent, not wanting to meddle with the ways of Fate.
(Arabian Jasmine 'Maid of Orleans' - Jasminum sambac var. 'Maid of Orleans' - Jâtî)
Finally, Priest Bee declared them Husband and Wife and he said, "May the Man kiss his Bride!"
Everyone applauded for them and thus the perfect couple were married.
Nights rolled by clock ticked away, but the couple couldn't make a child. Everyone suggested that they consult the Old Hag about it and they did so, only to hear, "Your Fate is sealed!"
Hibiscus cried and sought the Priest Bee's help, who tried to help them.
 
Hibiscus could never bear Sunflower's child. Sun dawned and set many times and she knew that the fate that the Old Hag was talking about was nigh.
Sunny showed signs of wither. Hibiscus nursed him and tried to make his departure easy. She eased his old age pain with her tears.
She lamented for she couldn't borrow her youth to him, but such was thedesign of their creator.

As designed the handsome Sunny soon left Plantville as he'd served his assigned time in his mortal Being. Weep she did not, on that day, but held her calm. From then on, she'd bloom crazily starting from his birth day, until the coming of Athel Winter, in his honor.

37 comments:

Darla said...

What a charming post!

Country Mouse said...

What a tender story to weave around the loveliness of your garden's blooms.

tina said...

Your flowers are all so lovely and the color so vivid! Just beautiful.

Dirty Girl Gardening said...

I'll have to try growing that arabian jasmine... looks lovely.

Todo pasa por una razon said...

Las flores son hermosas, y el jardín se encuentra muy bien cuidado.


Saludos,


Postes de madera

Anonymous said...

The flowers in Plantville are so bright and cheerful!

Rose said...

I was entranced by your fable, Chandramouli, that I only glanced at the photos and had to go back a second time to see them. What a delightful tale! Perhaps Mr. Sunflower will be reincarnated this year--Ms. Hibiscus deserves a second chance at happiness.

Skeeter said...

A fun post and thanks for sharing the tale of the two!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post ,great write up!

and ofcourse beautiful plantville buddies

Jamie said...

That was great Chandramouli, a memorable post. I've often wondered what would happen if you crossed members of the same plant family, such as a potato with an eggplant: would you get purple-skinned potatoes or underground eggplants?

Dani said...

Wonderful! I just love seeing your butterflies!

Haddock said...

All these on your terrace garden? wonderful.

greggo said...

what type of butterfly? first picture

Rebecca @ In The Garden said...

Such a beautiful and fun post, lovely pictures and charming story! I grow a very similar sunflower (heliopsis) here, such a small world really.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous Chandramouli! What a wonderful story you weave. And the photo of the two nuzzled up to one another...brilliant :)

walk2write said...

You should write a children's book with gardening fables such as this one in it. What a great way to teach horticulture and love of nature!

Anonymous said...

What a collection of blooms! A charming tale...the amaryllis are simply gorgeous!

About the Sita Ashok, I'll collect the dried blooms and see. I haven't noticed the seeds...let me find out.

Sujata said...

What an enchanting love story CS! I think we all feel the pain when our plants wither?
And thanks for dropping by CS.. I do have a new post on the Amaryllis. Strange it did not show.

Autumn Belle said...

A charming, enchanting post!

Andrea's Garden said...

Thank your for visiting my blog. I enjoyed reading your charming tale and of course the pictures of your garden. Best wishes from Germany.

Anonymous said...

Lovely colours, flowers and story! Such a pleasure to find your blog :)

Chandramouli S said...

First of all, sorry everyone, for responding late
Thank you, Darla.

Thank you, Country Mouse. I love making stories up

Tina: Thank you. I am glad that the plants are reviving. Wish the seeds I sowed this time sprouts.

DGG: It definitely is lovely and has a great fragrance. You should try it.

Todo pasa por una razon: Gracias por los comentarios yor. Espero que google traducido bien :D

Robin: Thank you :)

I am glad you liked it, Rose. I think the story's silly after I wrote it, but I posted it all the same. Let's see if she likes the reincarnated Sunny...

Thank you, Skeeter.

Thank you, Zindagi. It fun being in Plantville.

Thank you, Jamie. I've always wondered that. I don't think you can cross potatoes and eggplant - think I read it somewhere though they belong to the same Nightshade family, but I think you can cross Peppers, tomatoes, eggplant. I might be wrong, but it'd be fun to try.

Me too, Dani. Thank you.

Yes, it's a really small space, Haddock. I wish I had a larger space and on ground too. Thank you.

Thank you, Rebecca. It really is small :) Internet made it smaller.

gippslandgardener: Well, I thought it was silly when I completed writing the post, but thought, 'what the heck, let's see what my blogging friends think'. Glad you liked it. I never realized it when I shot the picture and the idea popped up while browsing through the photos.

W2W: I am impressed by your kind comments, W2W, but I'm not too good at short stories. I've written a fiction though, but it's really lousy. If you want, I can send it to you to read, but be warned that it's lousy. :D
It's a great idea though and a great way to teach the kids to love plants, true.

Thank you, Kanak. Errmmm... I was referring to the Glory Lily. I have always wanted to grow that vine.

Thank you, Sujata. I'm heading to your blog to check the new one.

Andrea: My pleasure. A good friend of mine lives in Erlangen, Germany and my sister lived there too. From what she says, it's a beautiful country.
Danke.

Thank you, Damayanti

Mud said...

Wow! A beautiful plant story. It had never occurred to me to attribute such narratives to the subtle drama that plays out in the garden. Good work!

Suze said...

You are a true magic maker. I especially loved your comparison of the immortal (perennial) to the mortal (annual.) My heart is full. May the divine light continue to shine on your garden. :)

A wildlife gardener said...

What a beautiful story...from a wonderful storyteller...:)

Thank you so much for coming so faithfully to my blog and leaving kind and generous comments :)

You have many skills...not just a gardener but a romantic at heart :)

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Excellent job! Love the flowers, collages and all it.

It's me said...

What a beautiful garden you have!! thanks for visiting my blog....Happy easter weekend darling...love Ria...xxx...

Chandramouli S said...

Mud: Thank you for your kind words. I guessed I inherited this from my grandma who was full of stories. Happy Easter!

Suze: Thank you so much. Happy Easter!

A wildlife gardener: Well, as I said, I still think it's lousy, but I'm glad you liked it. :)

I am a fan of your blog - especially your posts that seem to sing out of the monitor screen. You have a way with words.

Happy Easter!

Iowa Gardening Woman: Thank you :) I try. :D Happy Easter!

It's me: Thank you so much. It's my pleasure to meet a Dutch gardener. :D Happy Easter!

http://graceolsson.com/blog said...

all of your shots are very nice but my favorite is the first one and the last.
congrats
HAPPY EASTER
http://graceolsson.com/blog/2011/04/my-anguished-soul/

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Really great flowers and a funny story.

Bonnie K said...

I agree with Walk3Write you should write a childern's book. I loved the story. I also loved the photos of your garden. Great job and thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

There wasnt a better story ever told involving flowers

☆sapphire said...

Hi

Thanks for these pretty flowers and a nice story. Your jasmines are really lovely. Do you remember I planted one last year? It is fine and I look forward to its fragrant flowers.

Noel Morata said...

aloha,

what a sweet story only to be enhanced by the grand duke and i can even smell it all the way from hawaii :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, it's me again! Thanks for your comment on my blog...about meeting a fellow blogger. I think I was lucky too!:)

Sangavi Deepthi said...

Hi,

I got into such an Happy feel reading this post. Such an enchanting tale and such befitting flowers. Arabian Jasmine and Cypress Wine ...mi favorites. Can you please help me with the tamil names for these 2?

Chandramouli S said...

Hi Sangavi,
Glad it made you feel good :) I hope I really start blogging again... [SIGH]
About your questions, The cypress vine is called Mayilmanikkam and the Arabian Jasmine is nothing but Gundu Malli and the double flowered version is Adukku Malli