Making do with potted plants on her balcony

Her source of joy: Nirmaladevi lovingly checking on her plants placed at the entrance of her condo unit.

WHEN R. Nirmaladevi moved out of her bungalow in Subang Jaya to live in a condominium in Kelana Jaya, what she missed most was her beloved garden.

Instead of feeling sorry for herself, the 70-year-old mother of five and grandmother of nine, used up the limited space on her small balcony and the entrance to her condominium unit by placing potted plants.

She began growing various colourful flowers, green plants and herbs, including creepers.

Nirmaladevi said roses, which were her favourite, made up most of the flowers in various colours and sizes.

Flourishing in a corner: Most of Nirmaladevi’s flowering plants are roses as it is her favourite species.

Other flowers in her mini garden are petunias and orchids while there are also herbs such as curry leaves and mint.

She said the nurseries in Sungai Buloh were her main source for plants and herbs.

Nirmaladevi replants the herbs and flowers and adds fertiliser occasionally to ensure they live longer and look green and healthy.

“It is a big challenge to grow plants or flowers indoors, especially when they are hidden from the sunlight.

“I shift the pots around, in and out of the house, so that they receive the natural light that is vital to keep them alive,” she added.

Chill-out spot: A pot of white roses decorate the white garden table with two chairs on her balcony.

Nirmaladevi said she has always loved gardening and previously had a fun time beautifying the compound of her Subang Jaya home with lots of plants and flowers.

“I can no longer grow all those flowers and plants but I still get a lot of joy seeing my plants and garden decorations occupying a small section of my condominium,” she said.

These days, Nirmaladevi would pick up decorative items whenever she saw something attractive and small enough to fit her mini garden.

An outdoor white garden table with two chairs, a wall decoration with a half-moon table and a black Buddha statue are among items decorating her balcony along with the many potted plants.

A thing of beauty: A type of petunia growing from a pot hanging from the ceiling on the balcony.

At the entrance of her unit, she has a wooden bench and there are two water features – one on the ground and one hanging on a wall.

More potted green plants are placed outside the front grille, with two flower pots hanging at the doorway.