Little India Garden

I know we are just about getting into winter right now but I find myself already thinking about spring and summer and flowers and gardens. Maybe it was the Banyan tree I saw in Key West a few weeks ago that triggered the desire to be around more Indian plants.

I want to create a little Indian Garden- filled with plants that I was familiar with in India, right here in New Jersey.  

A bit ambitious? Perhaps. 

Ridiculous, you say.

Take away the thought, you say. 

Remember the snow yesterday? Impossible!

Lets see.

I already have two Holy Basil (Tulsi) plants which I have now brought indoors and which seem  to  be doing well- so far- near a sunny window.  I also have a Jasmine plant similarly doing well (I thought it was Chameli when I bought it from a local farmers market and was delighted by my discovery at the time...turns out it is not Chameli- anyway, Jasmine also qualifies as a plant that is common in India).  

Modest begining, but a start, I say.

Last summer, we tried to grow Indian green chillies (Hari mirch) from seeds taken out of whole dried red chillies bought at an Indian store. By the time the plants grew a foot and a half, we experienced the first frost and alas, that ended any hope of getting home grown Indian chillies. (This year, I plan  to plant seedlings indoor in January so as to afford a greater time for the plant to fructify)

I am now in the process of acquiring a cutting or two for a Raat- ki- rani plant and was wondering if anyone has experience growing one in this clime. Will it survive the winter indoors or does it necessarily need a green house?

Anyone grown any other Indian plants here? Would love to get tips and suggestions.

What about an Indian plant Bonsai? What about Indian plants for an outdoor water body? Lotus?

Maybe, I should change my weblog name to Dilhaihindustani!