Organic gardening

These lovely plants repel mosquitoes.

Sherida Monteverde Tan is the managing director of Imperial Palace Suites on Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City. She visited Marleina’s Garden in White Plains to buy bromeliads.

The daughter of movie mogul Mother Lily Monteverde, Sherida met the Garden’s owner, Marlene Aguilar, and ended up talking with her about organic gardening and plants that repel mosquitoes.

Marlene told Sherida, “I encourage everyone to grow food in their own yard. Why should we buy bananas and citrus fruits like lime and calamansi when they’re easy to grow? I also encourage people to plant ‘natural’ mosquito repellants to fight dengue, because there are lovely plants and herbs that keep mosquitoes away!”

Two weeks later, Sherida invited Marlene to her hotel and showed her the front garden, which has 100 pots decorating the building’s façade.

Sherida wanted a better look for its grounds. Under Marlene’s guidance, Sherida decided to adorn the Suites’ façade with Bangkok frangipani (kalachuchi) and pink Lantana.

The new design does not only provide the place with vibrant colors, it also drives away mosquitoes! Call Marleina’s Garden at 911-5558, or visit marleinasfarm.com.

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