Tucked away in a small by lane of Napier road (that oozes old worldly charm with statuesque Victorian era buildings surrounded by massive gardens) lies Jagtap nursery.
Except for the large board that all too proudly proclaims ‘Jagtap Nursery and Garden Centre’ in bold letters with a bright red arrow pointing left, one would not be aware of its existence as you whizzed past Phul Gate on your way to Golibar Maidan.
As soon as you enter the nursery you are inundated with a feeling of sensory overload. The smell of wet earth, the sweet bird songs gently floating down from the trees, flowers of myriad colours in full bloom and the satisfying squelch of wet mud under your feet. It’s nothing but bliss!
Fire engine red poinsettias vie for your attention with sunny yellow dahlias and orange ixoras and pink petunias. Tall palms sway gently in the breeze whispering to their delicate bamboo neighbours. The fortune bamboo in small glass bowls seem to softly intone, pick me and luck will come your way.
A large pond with a small dolphin shaped fountain is home to delicate violet hued water lilies. Small pots spill over with pretty petunias and begonias. Sweet smelling roses drag you towards them coaxing you to smell their heavenly perfume.
Home to more than 100 varieties of plants, shrubs and creepers, Jagtap Nursery also houses a section dedicated to bonsai plants. A garden centre attached to the nursery is a haven for any gardening enthusiast, well stocked with fertilisers, gardening implements and plant pots of various shapes and sizes. The friendly and efficient staff are more than willing to help and answer all your queries both intelligent and otherwise.
A half hour spent in this green oasis is sure fire method to rejuvenate even the most work weary, stressed out city dweller.
