malvernmugadzikwa
Andrew Mangwarara
HEADING towards Mutare, along Samora Machel Avenue, there is Men’s Clinic.
The place is in a well-maintained homely garden that was opened in 2012.
The frangipani (plumeria rubra) outside the gate, which is now coming into bloom adjacent to the bird of paradise, refreshingly accosts visitors.
The now fully grown croton megalocarpon impresses as usual.
The front yard is adorned with quite a surprising number of plant specimens, much to the delight of patients, as it provides a good relaxing environment.
The colourful acalypha wilkesiana is a standalone plant, with its impressive reddish leaves a surprising contrast to the other green foliage plants.
The green and maroon cordyline sit adjacent to each other as you approach the main door, where a white hanging bench beckons you to enjoy the fresh air.
Golden duranta, pruned as it should be, is guarded closely by the green New Zealand flax (phormium tenax). It is unique because of its needle-grass-shaped leaves.
The tongue-twisting red meg (megaskepasma erythroclamys) is always a good shrub to include in a garden as it sends out beautiful red blooms, which are supported by those of similar design of the shrimp plant (beloperone guttata).
When you sit on the veranda, the pots of the painter’s pallette (anthurium andreanum) prove to be a delightful addition.
The flowers are a florist-treasured collection due to their long-lasting nature in vases.
As you explore the garden, hanging baskets on some trees are a good surprise, and so are some guava trees that are on the periphery of the front yard.
The litchi tree adds value to a property whose setup was inspired by Dr Hosea Mapondera, the physician.
The idea, he said, was to have a garden where patients can relax while waiting to be treated.
A number of pots under the trees tell a story of their own, but of note is the staghorn fern (platycerium bifucartum), which belongs to the prehistoric dinosaur era.
One of my favourite bushes, the purple wreath (petrea volubilis), stands in its corner with its purple blooms giving it a lady-like look.
It is always a joy to see the pampas grass (cortaderia selloana) because of its white old man-like grass tufts.
The tall dracaena is another relic you find as you walk towards the back, where you will get a refreshing look.
A swimming pool sits on a slope with a complementary green lawn by its side, while the bottle brush tree (callistemon viminalis) beautifies the backyard as well.
It is a garden of variety, where all the plants in it cannot be mentioned here.
The red-hot poker plant (kniphofia linearifolia) gives a great farewell as one leaves this diversified garden, which is fit to be called a botanic reserve.
If you would like to be featured in our green-up campaign, contact us on the number above. Feedback: [email protected] or [email protected]
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter