Half hearted effort at beautifying the city
Posted on August 15th, 2011
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By Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha Reffai Dehiwela.

It is nice to see many people have come forward to plant some greenery, place some pots on the bollards and make the city beautiful. But it seems to be a half hearted attempt and at some times it is bordering on stupidity, I am afraid.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚£ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¡‚¬Many a large pots on the bollards on W.A.Silva mawathe already are empty and are exhibiting only weeds. Whoever who placed them has no sense of gardening. They thought just buying some plants in pots and keeping them on the cement bollard will ensure them to grow automatically. Don’t they know at least that the plants need regular watering, fertilizing and pruning?

ƒÆ’‚£ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¡‚¬Then ten news of the weeping willows trees being cut to plant na trees is really sad. The majestic weeping willows take years and years to grow and they were giving a serene beauty on this road. Now how long the Na trees will take to grow we don’t know.

ƒÆ’‚£ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¡‚¬Along Galle road a kind of philodendron are planted. True they look colorful and nice to begin with. But being creepers there is a limit to which they can grow. After which are they hoping to let it run up the trees?

That can obstruct the view of the vehicles coming from the side rods which are adjacent to these plots. All in all, the beautification process seems to be ad hoc, planned by those who have no idea of plants or gardening.

ƒÆ’‚£ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¡‚¬Recently I was in new Delhi and the planned way they have planted the greenery is breath taking. For miles they have the same plants, even on narrow strips but well maintained, beautifully cropped into various shapes and patterns and the mixing of various flowering plants, of psychedelic colours were amazing. All of them were of long standing plants with minimal maintenance but maintenance by true garden lovers they did have from the way they were looking luscious and green.

It’s time someone took a leaf from New Delhi gardeners. Pun intended

ƒÆ’‚£ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¡‚¬By Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha Reffai

One Response to “Half hearted effort at beautifying the city”

  1. Fran Diaz Says:

    It is very important to keep Colombo and other Lankan cities beautiful through use of trees, shrubs & flowering plants. Experienced horticulturalists should be employed to provide the correct trees & plants, or else matters may be made worse than before. Easy to care for trees & plants could be used.
    The Na trees could have been planted in between the Weeping Willows first, and the WWs removed once the slow growing Na trees became fully grown. Also, Colourful Crotons, Aloes (not the thorny ones), and Temple Trees, different types of Palms, are so lovely too. They may be used in roundabouts bearing in mind the drivers’ view of the roads.
    It may be a good idea to put the questions to the public first for ideas. Time to get our PUBLIC to think what is best for our country.
    Let’s use our common sense in whatever we do ….

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