Our November meeting and garden visit

November 23rd 2019

Like children off to a picnic, the members of the study group set off for Injambakkam to soak in the beauty of our member Mala's garden.  We had our fingers crossed as the weather had been inclement, and even on the morning of the 23rd, there was a sharp downpour. Mala messaged the group that her garden was a "soggy mess"!  But, just as sensei Malathi had predicted, "I think you will be blessed by a good day, Mala", it turned out to be a lovely cloudy and cool evening that only 8 members could enjoy, sadly.  

The pictures below are courtesy of Bhuvana, Sathya and Ambika.  In the words of Sathya, "Everywhere you turn there's something to photograph... I couldn't take them all because I was also thrilled and excited didn't know where to start n what to take 🤣🤩 sharing few of the good ones/my favorites."

A view of the central lawn, ringed by plants, tended with loving care.

Mala is also a bonsai artist and tries her hand at that too.

Each of the pictures below is an Ikebana in itself, with mass, line and colour!

Ornamental banana fruits and flower, framed by a mass of leaves

The fish in the pond came to say hello to us

We oohed and aahed to our heart's content.

The beautiful colours of the Krishna Tulasi

The cactus and dressina corner 

A different Plumeria

Even the caterpillars seemed to delight in creating beautiful patterns

The drama of lines

A Staghorn fern clung to the trunk of a palm, and could easily have been missed

while these caladiums could not be missed

The orchids were enjoying the weather it seems

A stunning Vanda spike

and another

Delicately coloured Dendrobiums

Oncidiums danced with the dolls

Reds

and yellows

 Passionflowers and fruits

   

We moved indoors, to be welcomed by a sumptuous and most welcome  tea, as we conducted our monthly meeting.  Discussions related to organising of our January exhibition, assigning of duties, themes, materials, etc.

We wrapped up the meeting and it was soon time to leave.  Another look around the garden and it was time to bid farewell.

"Thank you Mala for a lovely visit to your beautiful home and garden. The garden is a real treat for ikebanaists. Such a grand collection of plants and so well nurtured."