There is something very alluring to me ... about the creeping fig ... I love the way it so completely covers up walls ... and lo ... you have a beautiful greenscape... 
In our complex ... here in Navi Mumbai , we have creeping fig grown as art work ... beautiful living green canvas ... and I just can't help but feel sooooo nice .... just walking past these amazing stone walls ... all covered in green...
The gardener ... was first given this design concept by one of the estate managers ... (I haven't been able to find out any more about how it all started) ... and over years ... all the stone walls have been covered by the creeper...
Shivaji , one of the gardeners here (and theres a whole army of them) ... is absolutely clear ,that he alone has the artistic capabilities to craft these masterpieces :) ... oh! I love gardeners with this kind of passion for work ...
Like all artists,Shivaji loves to be indulged in a conversation about his work ... how he keeps the base creeper shaved close to the wall and allows the rest to grow out and that is when the gardener steps in and gives it the so many interesting shapes you see in these pictures :) ... 
The creeper was just about climbing the white borders ... and I could already see the gardeners ... on the move to do the maintenance work and cut it back ...that is the thing with creeping fig ... its beautiful ... but you need to maintain it ... within certain limits ... or else it'll run completely amuck ...
Enjoying the creeping fig... you don't need a huge wall ...or a large space ... they make great topiaries ... they 'll give an amazing tropical feel in your balcony... let them cover your walls ... make sure you don't let it run out ... they creep out before you know :)
On our regular walks ... my girls Sarah ( who was sleeping while we took this walk) and Aimee (the one checking out the walls here) and I have a wonderful time ...... theres always something different and exciting around these walls ... they seem alive in some way ... not just dead stone walls ... not that I don't love stone walls ... I think I just love stone walls more when covered in greens ... :)
... and there ... you'd never know ... there's a matter-of-factly,car park behind those walls ... 
... and there ... you'd never know ... there's a matter-of-factly,car park behind those walls ... 
Another ,element in garden design ... if you are inspired,by this green scape ... do write in to me ... I'd love to hear your story ...
Posts
15 comments:
Hey thats so very beautiful and amazing shapes the gardeners have trimmed the fig creepers into. Unfortunately we do not have stone walls here in our apartment. Will miss greenscaping, may be I'll give it a shot when I own an independent house or an apartment with stone walls.
" R ".
Hi Rajee
How beautiful this fig is - you're lucky to have such a talented gardener! The shapes are just gorgeous. My parents have it growing on their farmhouse - it looks wonderful but as you say it's always just waiting to escape and run wild so a lot of clipping is necessary but well worth the effort.
Leigh
Hi "R",
Just because we are apartment dewellwers ... let us not think we can't enjoy these beauties ... like I mentioned in the post ... the creeping fig makes beautiful topiary as well ... try growing it to climb a moss stick ... you'll find your bit of great fun shaping it into diff. shapes... :)
have fun ... and thanks for taking the time to write in to me... love and enjoy it and it is very encouraging too. :)
Hi Leigh ,
You are so right ... I just love it ... its difficult not to fall for them ... but chasing them around with clippers ... well that'll be another story :)
... but hell are they gorgeous.
Hi Rajee,
The topiary is beautiful !
Your post came right in time ..i am trying to revamp our little container garden.. and the ivy on the moss stick sounds just perfect.
We do have these in the neighborhood, and some of the walls are entirely covered with the vines..but honestly they looked a little creepy to me..obviously for the lack of "sivaji-touch" i guess.
Will let you know if i have any luck in growing them.Thank You.
-Aswathy
Hey Aswathy,
Go for it I'd say ... I know what you mean about the Shivaji touch ... but honestly ... unless you have a biggy kind of place... I love to take care of all my plants myself ... guess you share that same bond with your container garden :)
OOps and these are creeping fig ... the ivy is different ... the ivy is a more glossy leafed and they look like triangular hearts ...
If you are in CA ... yeah they have Ivy all over the place ... but try this ... its growth is as close you can get to instant gratification in the garden :)
thanks rajee, for pointing out.i meant the fig :).. yeah, what u said about falling in love with the plants is very true :)
:)
Creeping fig! That's what it's called. I have seen this creeper a million times, and admired it a lot too.
Love the art work Shivaji has done. Gardeners are very interesting people, and maali kaka at the complex where I live in Pune has shared so much about gardening with me too. Here's to our maalis! :)
hi Rajee
That was a grt post.Generally we pay attention only to the insides of a bldg in mumbai.but to adorn the walls is such a grt idea,Iam already waiting for my bldg gardner to turn up today!!
Hi Sharon,
Great to hear from you ... I know,this plant seems to be all over ... but we seldom pay attention.Being a Puneite myself ... have to say we have a great weather for plants ... and nothing beats our nurseries ... and oh yes the maali's :)
Hi Sangitha,
Soooo rightly said ... I feel so sad looking at the shabily kept buildings ... all esthetics goes for a toss ... sigh!
But yeah ! let me know what your maali has to say about the whole thing ;)
Hello Rajee,
We had earlier contacted you through e-mail requesting you to post this and other articles @hobbiesnyou.com for the soon to be launched FREE NEWSLETTER. We are still eagerly waiting for your response. Your contribution is very valuable to us. We understand that you must be busy, we request you to kindly take some time out to visit hobbiesnyou.com and post a few articles. We value You and your contribution. Please don't disappoint us.
Happy Hobbies!!!
Very nice posts...
I also like creepers plant covering the wall.. Can you please share the name of creepers & where can I get it in Navi Mumbai?
Thank you.
Deven.
Very nice posts...
I also like creepers plant covering the wall.. Can you please share the name of creepers & where can I get it in Navi Mumbai?
Thank you.
Deven.
Post a Comment