Amaryllis Graffiti and Kashmir Dahlia

Kashmir dahlia is also called indian dahlia here but it is not from india. It is from holland. It is propagated from cuttings. These are raised and grown in cool areas like hilly mountains of Murree and then brought to warm areas in winter. It needs protection from fog and sever winter. It likes to be fed well and needs lot of energy to put large flowers. It goes dormant in summer and keeping it in soil bed is best option instead of digging and storing. It will re sprout in late summer. Not every indian dahlia is dinner plate. Full sun is must for good flowers. Remove spent flowers as soon as possible. This one is flowering on my terrace in a clay pot.

Hippeastrum (common amaryllis) is very ideal for growing in hot climates. There are two most common sources. The south african hybird and dutch hybirds. Hadeco are very famous south african company in hybridizing amaryllis. This one is hadeco Graffiti i am growing in a pot. Double amaryllis can also multiply specially in pot. Remember to bury only 1/3rd of the bulb below the soil.
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Plants having cosmetic value

Botanic Name	Family	Common Name	Property
Acbillea millefolim	Astaraceae	Yarrow	Hair lotion against baldness. Heals spots, pimples, useful for face pack and dandruff. Cleanser for oily skin. Promotes sweating.
Acorus calamus	Araceae	Sweet Flag	It is used as a stimulating & invigorating bath.
Allium cepa	Liliaceae	Onion	The skin of the onion is used as a dressing on facial and body sores.
Allium sativum Linn	Liliaceae	Garlic	Lotion can help to control dandruff.
Aloe barbadensis Mill.	Liliaceae	Aloe	Used in beauty aids and suntan lotions. Possesses moisturizing and soothing properties.
Altbaea officinalis	Malvaceae	Marsh Mallow	A marsh mallow face pack helps to combat dry flaky skin. Emollient.
Anetbum graveolens	Apiaceae	Dill	The oil is used as a fragrance component in cosmetics especially in soaps.
Borago officinalis	Boraginaceae	Borage	Borage juice obtained from the crushed plant & applied direct to the skin will cure ring worm.
Calendula officinalis	Asteraceae	Marigold	Useful as an exfoliating facial soap for sensitive skin. Its flowers & leaves are very beneficial for clearing the skin of eczema, spots & grease. Healing of wounds, toning.
Carica papaya	Caricaceae	Papaya	Fruit pulp can be used as an ingredient in various shampoos and face creams. Enzymes in the fruit have a deep cleansing effect by breaking down the dead cells of the skin.
Carum carvi	Umbelliferae	Caraway	Fragrance component in toothpaste, mouth wash products, cosmetics and perfumes.
Cassia alata L.	Caesalpiniaceae	Ringworm shrub	The flowers make a good paste for eczema.
Citrus limon Burmann.f	Rutaceae	Lemon	Lemon juice is regarded as anti-wrinkle.
Cocos nucifera	Arecaceae	Coconut Oil	Coconut oil was formerly the main ingredient in marine soaps.
Cucumis satiuns	Cucurbitaceae	Cucumber	Refreshing & is used in lotions, creams, and masks.
Cucurbtta pepo	Cucurbitaceae	Pumpkin	The roots are made into an infusion and used on herpes lesions, pimples.
Daucus carota	Apiaceae	Carrot seed	Fragrance component in soaps, cosmetics and perfumes. Its oil is used in nourishing eye creams and the juice in facemasks.
Equisetum arvense	Equisetaceae	Horsetail	To encourage hair growth.
Eucalyptus globulus	Myrtaceae	Eucalyptus	Purifies the air, The essential oil reduces airborne microbes.
Foeniculum vulgare	Umbelliferae	Fennel	Its oil is used in soaps, toiletries and perfumes.
Glycyrrhiza glabra	Fabaceae	Licorice root	Used for skin irritations and in cosmetics for acne & sunburn.
Helianthus annuus	Araceae	Sunflower	Its oil is used for psoriasis & bruises. A simple soothing skin cream can be made from sunflower oil and comfrey.
Hypericum perforatum	Pericaceae	St. John’s wort	Help to keep skin soft.
Hyssopus officinalis	Lamiaceae	Hyssop	Employed as a fragrance component in soaps, eau de cologne.
Jasminum grandiflorum	Oleaceae	Jasmine	Jasmine oil is used for a refreshing massage to perfume the scalp. Regarded as a perfume in many recipes. Cosmetic mouth washes, dentifrices.
Juniperus communis	Cupressaceae	Juniper cade	Useful for treating acne, massage and aids slimming. It is good for creams, soaps and lotions is fragrance work.
Laurus nobilis	Lauraceae	Bay	Use as fragrance component in detergents and cosmetics and especially after shaves.
Lavendula stoechas	Labiatae	Lavender	Aromatic oils are much used in perfumery. It is antiseptic and stimulating.
Lawsonia inermis	Lythraceae	Henna	Cures loss of hair and is used as growth accelerator and for decorating hands and feet.
Mangifera indica	Anacardiaceae	Mango	Unripe fruit is claimed to help heal a wide variety of skin eruptions, ranging from leprosy and sores to boils.
Matricaria abamomilla	Compositae	Chamomile	All sorts of modern hair preparations.
Mellissa officinalis	Labiatae	Balm	For its soothing effect use its oil in a back massage.
Lawsonia inermis	Lythraceae	Henna	Cures loss of hair and is used as growth accelerator and for decorating hands and feet.
Mangifer indica	Anacardiaceae	Mango	Unripe fruit is claimed to help heal a wide variety of skin eruptions, ranging from leprosy and sores to boils.
matricaria abamomilla	Compositae	Chamomile	All sorts of modern hair preparations.
Mellissa officinalis	Labiatae	Balm	For its soothing effect use its oil in a back message.
Mentba arvensis	Labiatae	Garden Mint	The mint flavor of most toothpastes is derived from natural mint oil. Invigorates the bather.
Monarda didyma	Labiatae	Bergamot	Dried flowers and leaves add lasting color and fragrance to potpourris.
Ocimum basilicum	Lbiatae	Basil	The oil is employed in high class fragrance, soap and dental products.
Olea europaea	Oleaceae	Olive oil	Moisturizer for dry skin, lip balm, shampoo, hand lotion, soap, massages oil & dandruff treatment.
Phyllantbus emblica	Euphorbiaceae	Amla oil	The fruits are used in hair dye and in hair shampoos.
Pisum sativum	Leguminosae	Pea	Facemasks made from crushed peas are used in cases of acne and on wrinkled. Skins.
Plantago ovata Forssk.	Plantaginaceae	Plantain	The juice of the fresh herb is used in cream for its soothing effect.
Prunus amygdalus	Rosaceae	Almond	Most important of the fine cosmetic oils
Ricinus communis	Euphorbiaceae	Castor oil	Used in many bath preparations & skin care formulations. It is an important ingredient of lipstick.
Rosa damascena	Rosaceae	Red rose	Soothing rose oil has a cooling effect on the face. Rose oil helps to ease premenstrual tension.
Rosmarinus officinalis	Labiatae	Rosemary	Increase hair shine and clears dandruff. It is used in any beauty care products in soaps and perfumed toilet waters and hair preparations.
Salvadora persica	Salvadoraceae	Tooth brush Tree	Eastern people made toothpaste from this plant.
Salvia officinalis	Labiatae	Sage	Use fresh leaves as toothpowder. Good tooth cleaner.
Saussurea lappa	Asteraceae	Costus	Fixative, fragrance component used in cosmetics. Used in the preparation of rich perfumes and hair oils.
Stellaria media (L.)	Caryophyllaceae	Chickweed	Chickweed tea is helpful in slimming programmes. Its lotion helps to clear and refine the skin.
Taraxacum officinali.	Compositae	Dandelion	Best of pimples acne & spots.
Thymus vulgaris	Labiatae	Thyme	The oil is used in mouth washes and toothpaste. It is a fragrance component in soaps, after shaves.
Trigonella foenum-graecum	Fabaceae	Fenugreek	Treats severe skin inflammations, chapped lips & mouth ulcers.
Tulsilago farfara	Compositae	Coltsfoot	Coltsfoot face pack is a good treatment for spots, pimples and acne. It is also used as a hair shampoo.
Urtica dioica	Urticaceae	Nettle	Oil from the leaves is useful for the hair.
Valeriana officinalis	Valerianaceae	Valerian	Used as a fragrance component; antidandruff.
Viola odorata	Violaceae	Sweet Violet	Used in high-class perfumery work. Bath addition.
Vitis uinifera	Vitaceae	Grape speed	Useful in anti-aging and skin-lightening cosmetics.
Zingiber officinale Roscoe	Zingiberaceae	Zingiber	Fragrance component in cosmetics especially oriental and men’s fragrance.
Azadirachta indica	All Parts	Neem	Regarded as a blood purifier.
Cassia tora	Seed	Panwar	It is a blood purifier.
Curcuma longa	Rhizome	Chob zard	Highly used as a blood purifier
Dalbergia sissoo	Bark	Shisham	Blood purifier.
Fumaria officinalis	Plant	Shahtera	Regarded as a blood purifier.
Hemidesmus indicus	Root	Ushbah-desi	Commonly recommended as a blood purifier.
Psoralea corylifolia	Seed	Babchi	Babchi is a blood purifier.
Smilax cbina	Root	Chob chini	It is considered as a blood purifier.
Sphaeranthus indicus	Flower	Gul-e-Mundi	Flowers are esteemed as blood purifier.
Swertia chirata	Plant	Chirata	Regarded as a blood purifier.
Tephrosia purpurea	Leaves	Sarphoka	Regarded as a blood purifier.
Tinospora cordifolia	Plant	Gilo	Commonly used as a blood purifier.
Ziziphus vulgaris	Fruit	Unnab	It is a blood purifier.

Note: The above is original work of Muhammad Afzal Rizvi, Hamdard University, Karachi. He could not be contacted for reproduction but his credit is displayed for his original work. I have made corrections and updates to this information though.

Garlic vine, Thunbergia alba and Sprekelia

Garlic vine is a beautiful climber from bignonia family. The flowers and leaves emit garlic odour hence the name garlic vine. Botanic name of garlic vine is Cydista aequinoctialis. It grows very good in Karachi and Lahore. It flowers in fall and spring. In my experience it suffers from pests in fall specially mildew so you may need to spray it. It likes hot and humid so Karachi suits it better than lahore. There are some mature specimens growing for many years in lahore. 



Another shrub growing in winter is Thunbergia erecta var alba. It is white color version of common blue Thunbergia erecta. Flowers are small but tub shaped and abundant.
                                                         
Last but not least, sprekelia formosissima is flowering in winter here in lahore. Its common name is aztec lily and it is a bulb from amaryllis family. It usually flowers in spring but maybe it is forced so flowering in winter. A good choice for hot climate.

Mosaic monday
Lisa's Chaos.
Weekly top shot
Garden Bloggers bloom day

Winter growing vegetables

Sowing of winter vegetables in mild winter climates start from September and October while fruiting goes till February and March. Find below the calender for winter vegetables. Note that this calender is not for northern areas, only southern plains. Some of the commonly sown vegetables in winter include Broccoli,Potato, Onion, Lettuce leaf, Cauliflower, Turnip, Peas, Spinach, Carrot, Beets, Mustard, Coriander, Radish and mint etc. You can also sow tomato in winter if there temperatures do not go very low. You may have to place the plastic sheets over seedlings of winter vegetables at night specially in those areas where winters are cold like Islamabad, Peshawar etc.