In a Malaysian Potted Garden?

When I was very young I remembered a very popular song by Nana Mouskouri.  Nana happened to be Greek but she was singing about 'An English Country Garden'.

'How many gentle flowers grow

In an English country garden?

I'll tell you of some I know

And those I'll miss I hope you'll pardon

Daffodils, heart's ease and phlox

Meadowsweet and Lily stalks

Gentian, lupine and tall hollihocks

Roses, foxgloses, snowdrops, forget-me-nots

In an English country garden.

I am not lucky enough to have a garden at home but I try to cover some of the concrete outside my apartment with potted plants.  During a recent visit to a friend house, Wai Kong gave me a potted plant.  I did some checking in the net and found out that the plant is a 'Homalomena rubescens Kunth'.  I like the plant because it is easy to take care.  It doesn't need direct sun and just some watering.  Just make sure the soil is well drained.  The Homalomena has very beautiful dark green glossy heart shaped leaves.  And guess what?  It even flower under my care!  So elated.  Here are some pictures to share my happiness.

Plants are the perfect counterfoil for concrete.  They clean the air, reduces the heat, keep the dust at bay and pleases the eye at the same time.

The Homalomena Rubescens Kunth right outside my apartment.

Here you can see several blooms.  The light cream spadix is totally encased in the dark burgundy spathe.  If you look carefully the spadix is actually made up of tightly packed fleshy florets that are laid out in a very regimented pattern.  It actually reminds me of retro styled jewellery.  According to the internet the cream spadix is very shy.  It comes out only for one day.  It will then retreat into the spathe.  The spathe will then droop and remain for a month before rotting.