Capital gardening

[zeeshanuddin]

Hello everybody, I moved to Islamabad recently and after taking a couple of months to settle down, I am back in the gardening business. The city is amazing especially for nature lovers like me. But things here are very different from what I used to have in Karachi. The weather, the soil etc. I need some help regarding the choice of plants suitable for winter flowering. Also, what precautions if any, should I take to protect my plants including my indoor plants, from the cold weather?

[UMAR KHAN]

Hi Zeeshan,yes you are right.the planting demands are different from that of Karachi.mostly the indoor plants are tropical or sub tropical so they need protection in winter.some pants like deffins,carotene & white leafed money plant do not survive even if you protect them in plastic sheets.the very next month you will all the green houses will be covered with plastic sheets.if you like roses,you are in right location.Islamabad,s climate is ideal for roses.bare rooted roses will be offered after 10 DEC.Fateh Muhammad nursery is the leading rose nursery in Islamabad.if you like cool season annuals its the right time to purchase seedlings.now at the moment its marigold time in Islamabad.every where you,l be seeing golds along the road sides.

[zeeshanuddin]

Oh yes, you are right. Its marigold every where these days. thanks for the advice.

[zeeshanuddin]

Can anyone guide me regarding the flowering plants suitable for a semi shade location? Only an hour maximum of direct sunlight in the evening.

[rafique]

one of best flowering plant in shaded places is Cineraria.
i have been planting this for the last three year with excellent results.
rafique

[Izhar]

I second Rafique, the other options include Begonia, Impatiens, Coleus, Dwarf Salvias..

[UMAR KHAN]

Mimulus is the best cool crop if the place shady.mimulus likes shady moist location.Rafique sb even cineraria fails in the location which Zeeshan mentioned.to increase vigor of mimulus remove the first three flowers.F1 Mystic is the best variety.

[zeeshanuddin]

Thanks everyone. Now I have something to indulge myself in this long weekend.....

[zeeshanuddin]

I got a chance to capture some beautiful colors of autumn prevailing every where in the capital these days.

[zeeshanuddin]

Here are some more...