Regions: East India

Orchid-like flowers in February, and buds that go into the north-Indian kitchen.

Huge red cups in February that feed every bird in the neighbourhood at once.

A fast native shade tree with scented ball flowers and city birds in it.

Scarlet flowers on bare branches in spring; grows from a stuck-in cutting.

A cement tub of still water becomes a dragonfly habitat in one season.

The national flower — a big tub, full sun and patience is all it takes.

The kewda of Odisha — spiny leaves and a male flower distilled for scent.

Flowers open white and turn crimson over three days; scents a whole verandah.

Purple trumpet flushes twice a year, and leaves that smell of garlic when crushed.

A monsoon annual of verandah pots, with seed pods children cannot leave alone.