Ruellia simplex 'Chi Chi' - Hardy pink petunia

The plant is also known as 'Chi Chi' Petunia and I like the way that sounds. Known as wild petunias, the Ruellia is a fairly established family of free flowering plants. The flowers are trumpet shaped.

The photo is dark and doesn't capture the delicate pink of the 'Chi Chi' well. There are other colours and names for the Ruellia simplex, for example, the purple type is known as Ruellia simplex 'Katie'.

The personal-take
Though it looks easy to maintain, I have yet to notice many of these plants being featured in landscape design. I suspect that it might be a messy grower. One that grows in twists and offshoots that betray the planned silhouette, but it's still just a suspicion.

I do like the leaves, though, I think it's rather refined.

Celosia argentea var plumosa - Pheonix's tail

The Plant is known as the "pheonix tail chicken crown flower" in Mandarin. Quite a crude name, actually. A potted plant grown for its inflorescence that is popular for its vibrant colours during the Lunar New Year festivities. Also, known as 'Plume Celosia'.

The Photo features the plants from a weird perspective? Well, it was taken from an overhead bridge. The plants were lined up outside a nursery or flora/landscaping shop. I wonder why they weren't afraid of people just taking them away. Maybe because Singapore's a safe country, or that they have too much stock.

The Personal-take
I appreciate the plants for their vibrancy and beauty. I can't help, however, feeling that they are somewhat overrated. Perhaps, I've gotten too used to them, and haven't grown to appreciate their form and beauty.

I do remember, from my childhood, that I liked to feel the flowers, stroke them. They have a waxy feathery texture. My grandma would tell me to stop plucking at them.

I think I should miss the Plume Celosia if one day, we all decide that it's time to get new Chinese New Year plants.

Jatropha integerrima - Shanghai Beauty

The plant & photos
The Jatropha seems to be better known as the Spicy Jatropha but I prefer the name "Shanghai Beauty" because the flowers give me an "oriental feel", in that they look very chinese and won't be out of place in a Chinese painting. I was happy to find the reference as I thought it was pretty apt, even though the plant originated from the West Indies.

From my observation, it's pretty fast growing and does well in full sun - which also brings out the vivid colour of the red flowers, which is great as it's pretty free-flowering. The photo on the left was taken on a sunny day, and shows how lively the blooms can be. The buds remind me of holly berries.

As a shrub, I suppose it should be pruned regularly to keep it growing densely.

The Personal-take
As mentioned, I think the flowers give off a very oriental vibe. They are very attractive and I like the way they grows in bunches. Although I like how it's very generous in its flowering... that it doesn't play hard to get... it might be more exquisite if it were less free flowering, and if its leaves were smaller, and if it grew a little slower.

How contradicting! Everything has its personality and it's almost as if, I am wishing for it to be something else. I must apologize~ and correct my attitude to appreciate it for what it is.