My name is Lakshmi Reddy, and I live in the Northern Virginia suburbs. I am passionate about growing tropical plants in containers. They add such vibrant colors to my garden, and I like having my morning tea in my garden every day while I enjoy the beauty of nature around me. I have created a beautiful potted deck garden with a mix of tropicals, perennials, and annuals.

I love plumeria, Curcuma, and jasmine plants. I have been growing these beautiful plants in pots for the past 15 years. I love fragrant plants, and I also grow various types of jasmines and tuberoses that add intense fragrance to my garden. Over the years, I have learned that plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions, as gardening requires lot of hard work and patience. Growing these plants gives me immense peace and happiness.

Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis, Zones 5–9) unfurls fragrant lavender blooms on the fence.

Curcuma, aka Siam tulip, has beautiful flowers but equally lovely bold leaves. Most are only hardy to Zone 8, but they have rhizomes that can be overwintered indoors in a cool location.

Plumeria flowers are as pleasing to the nose as they are to the eye.

A variety of plants in pots makes a beautiful container garden. Placing the containers on different levels creates a lot of vertical interest and ensures that each plant can be seen and enjoyed.

Another portion of the potted deck garden. Simple shelving multiplies the number of plants that can be displayed.

Climbing roses loaded down with blooms.

A bit of the tropics thrives in pots on the deck.

A jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) brings beauty and one of the world’s best scents.

Plumeria flowers showing all the colors of a tropical sunset.

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