Style Observer Gardening (SOG) continues its journey through retired teacher Laurel Green’s garden — a haven of plants and produce that perfectly embody her cherished garden-to-table lifestyle.

Decades of effort have borne fruit through the care and diligence of gardeners like Philmore (Pinkus) Hart, Paul Bloomfield, and Roy Chirangeesingh. Their collaboration created the oasis she enjoys today. “My garden’s enduring beauty is a testament to teamwork, time, water, and pure love. Especially during droughts, we make extra efforts to recycle and store water responsibly, always ensuring no mosquito breeding sites,” Green says. “We also proactively protect plants from slugs and periodically reposition potted plants to maximise their exposure to direct sunlight and rainfall.”

It’s no surprise, then, that Green recommends consulting a skilled landscaper and having the right equipment readily available to replicate the results that she has enjoyed.

What truly makes the garden special is the year-round enjoyment it offers. From its diverse array of special plants and produce to the memorable family occasions she hosts, there’s always something to appreciate. “During Christmas, you’ll find red poinsettias and white euphorbias, while heliconias wrap the patio from late spring through summer,” she adds. “My fruit trees also bear multiple times a year, offering Bombay, East Indian, Julie, and stringy mangoes, along with pear, otaheite apples, and breadfruit. It’s also a playground for my grandchildren who enjoy the vast lawn, plus, the perfect place for memorable family gatherings and special moments.”

Photographer: Naphtali Junior

Moth orchid

Begonia

Garden crotonNaphtali Junior

Laurel Green stands alongside her rosemary and mint shrubs.

Madagascar periwinkle

Rosemary

Dancing lady orchid

Couleus

Poor man’s orchid

Areca palm

Laurel Green and her collection of orchids. (Photos: Naphtali Junior)