India Today

AVANT GARDENER

Hyderabad-based landscape designer Jagan Mohan doesn’t believe in letting the harsh sun play spoilsport. With clever planning and the right plants, one can turn one’s patch of green into a colourful oasis.

- by mona ramavat

Hyderabad-based expert Jagan Mohan helps you turn your patch of green into a vibrant haven

Agarden can come alive in any space or season,” says Jagan Mohan, founder, Green Scene, who despite having trained as a commercial pilot, decided to take up his passion, landscape design. His fourth floor office in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills is a beautiful reflection of this. The indoors are infused with greenery and the outdoors flush with pink flowers. “I planted bougainvil­lea because they are hardy and flourish extraordin­arily in summer as well,” says the 46-year-old designer.

WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT

Planting tall trees on the southwest side cuts down heat and radiation. “Install a shade net over the plants to protect them from intense heat and let the taller hardier plants give shade to smaller shrubs,” he says. Jagan warns against the over soaking the lawn. “Water liberally a few times a week, either early in the morning or late in the evening,” he says.

COOL IDEAS

A water feature can help cool things down. “A weeping wall can be created using the vertical space and a water body fitted in, even in an apartment,” he explains. Coy fish ponds are another way to add a water element in your garden. “Place artifacts in combinatio­n with potted succulents to add a personal touch,” says Jagan.

SUMMER BLOOMS

Canna, dahlia and calla are summer bulbs with flowers that can add a pop of colour to your garden. Other flowering plants that flourish during summers are roses, hibiscus, marigold and lotus. “Frangipani is another excellent choice for your garden since the flowers bloom in abundance during the summer months,” he says. If you do not have space to grow the tree, place it as an accent plant in a planter where it can get partial sunlight.

AT www.greenscene­studio.com

 ??  ?? OUTSIDE INTERESTS Clockwise from left: Designer Jagan Mohan; tall plants provide shade, a lush terrace garden in Jagan’s office
OUTSIDE INTERESTS Clockwise from left: Designer Jagan Mohan; tall plants provide shade, a lush terrace garden in Jagan’s office
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