Many of us living in the UAE are apprehensive about growing our own gardens. What about the extreme climate and the soil that’s poor in plant nutrients? What if there is too little space? Will the water, with a high saline content, be good for the grass?
It’s a real surprise then when you step into Deena Motiwalla’s garden in Dubai. Tucked in a quiet corner of Jumeirah, Motiwalla, the former chairperson of the Dubai Gardening Group, has created a sanctuary with mulberry trees, orchids, jade plants and massangeanas.
“I never ever thought it would be impossible to grow a garden here,” says Motiwalla, who joined the Dubai Gardening Group in 1971. “In the early days growing a garden was a challenge. We did not find good soil, so I had to drive all the way to Khawaneej to bring sweet soil.
“Grass was grown only from seeds. Slowly the soil came from Pakistan. Manure was available in the nearby farms and stables. There was a lot of giving and sharing. But today good soil
is easily available in Dubai and if you want to find out what plants grow well here, you just have to look at the parks. The Dubai Municipality grows an abundance of zinnias, marigolds, petunias, hibiscus, oleander, periwinkle, bougainvilleas, desert rose, lantana and frangipani, to name just a few.”
For those who live in villas and have enough room to start a garden, Motiwalla says the first step should be to clean up the space where you intend to have the garden. “Plan your garden on paper. We are not all landscape artists but you should have a vague idea where you need your trees, shrubs and ground cover.
“Then it is important to check the soil. If you see whitish soil you know it is mixed with rubble and building waste. In that case you will have to dig out at least two feet of the old soil and discard it. Today with different types of potting soil, manure, compost and mulch available, most plants, shrubs and trees can grow with tender loving care.”
Ben Haberfield of Grow Gardens, Dubai, agrees on the importance of soil quality. He says that in order to enjoy your own garden here it is important to prepare the sweet sand with good organic compost. “An organic compost works in many ways to help the plant. Not only does it provide the plant with the necessary nutrients, but also helps to retain moisture while helping with drainage. Because sand does not drain very well plants often get overwatered. So it is important to know the qualities of the plants that you are growing.
“Simple things such as grouping together plants that have the same water consumption help you in the long run. For example if you plant a cactus, which needs very little water, next to a banana plant you will either overwater the cactus or under water the banana.”
Once you have the soil sorted, next comes choosing what to plant. According to Motiwalla, in a large garden you can plant trees at its edge. “Trees such as gulmohar, weeping fig, almond tree, frangipani, the list is endless. You can also have fruit trees such as pomegranate, pawpaw, mulberry and lemon.
“In a big garden you can have a water feature and can also plan to have climbers on arches, such as the Rangoon creeper, railway creeper, Chinese trumpet vine, blue pea flower, coral vine and white jasmine.
“If you have a small garden I would suggest any one flowering tree for shade and then arrange flowering annuals in pots, which you can move around. Even in a small garden you need a seating area to enjoy the UAE winter, which begins around November end and is there till April.”
Haberfield says there is a wide range of plants that will survive in Dubai. “When buying a plant it is a good idea to ask the shop for as much information as you can about the needs of the plant you have bought. Then place it in a pot in the spot that you intend to plant it in for a couple of weeks. This will limit the shock for the plant as it gives the plant time to adjust to its new location before you take it out of the pot and disturb the roots.
“Watering is best done in the morning as it means that the soil is damp through the hottest parts of the day. Avoid watering in middle of the day when the water may be too hot. Water on the foliage can act like a magnifying glass and burn the foliage.
“When you have limited space for your garden then a collection of potted plants works really well. The trick is to think about layering your plants to give more depth.
So have small plants at the front then mid-height behind them followed by taller plants or climbers. Also think about contrasting or complementing colour and foliage shape. The best resource is to use your eyes, have a look around, see what you like and see what works. Then take a photo and ask the nursery to help you choose the plants.”
For people who live in apartments and want to buy plants, light is an important factor. Motiwalla says, “You can have plants on your balcony, but if you are high up the wind and the sun can damage the plant or the flower. Indoor plants, such as crotons, money plant, Boston fern, Japanese evergreen, peace lily, can be grown in apartments.
“When you buy a new plant, see that it is healthy with no insect damage. Watering and feeding are important. It is also important to keep them free from dust. Also if you go on
holiday, make sure someone else takes care of them. Remember plants are like children. When you scold them, they never answer back.”
In Dubai TerraVerde has recently launched its new Garden Center on Al Wasl Road in Jumeirah. Novice or experienced gardeners can find a host of ideas that will help them inspire and brighten their interior and exterior living spaces.
According to Reem Heather Dabbas, marketing manager, TerraVerde, in the UAE it is important to select plants that can tolerate heat, drought and salinity. “The diversity of plant life in the UAE is subject to varieties that have adapted and evolved to cope with the climate conditions. Plants suited to the environment, whether native or exotic, have a better chance
of surviving the conditions as they are made to grow in the environment. It is always better to take this into account while making your plant selections.”
It is also important to remember that a garden must be tailored to incorporate structures that will accommodate your needs. Large or small, the size is insignificant if the full potential of the space is realised. A well-designed garden adds value to the living space and is an investment that continues to give back for years.
