Walking into this boutique garden store in Indiranagar is like visiting the terrace garden anyone might have always dreamt of creating. At Sunshine, there are pebbles strewn on the floor, a light green canopy softening the summer sun and beautiful Bonsais in pots, trays and pieces of wood adding to the abundance of green.

Pic credit: Sunshine Boutique.

If that’s the terrace, the entrance to this Indiranagar bungalow is equally verdant with potted plants, colourful figures, bamboo and metal wind chimes, lamps hanging from branches and fountains.

Most things are for sale but some aren’t, as Veena Nanda, one of the founders along with Robin Wohra and a Bonsai teacher for 15 years tells us, pointing out to a set of beautiful sharp beaked birds made of out metal.

She picked them up in Rajasthan and has just not been able to trace the person who makes them, despite requests from customers. Though planters, bonsais, fountains and figurines in terracotta and ceramic are what is most visible at Sunshine, walk around leisurely and run an eye around and you are likely to spot some more beautiful and unusual things. There are stained glass sun catchers in red, blue and yellow hanging from branches and corners, shaped like butterflies and birds.

Inside the house, you find upturned painted katoris (serving bowls) that make for great wall art. The terrace has beautiful chimes created from mango seed! Perfect to place in one corner of your balcony or garden and hear it make music with the wind.

Veena also takes Bonsai classes and organises batches over weekdays and weekends. The batches are organised in groups of four or five, depending on the number of people who want to learn. It costs Rs 1,500 and includes the material required to create the bonsai. But it’s clearly her terrace that takes the cake and as one her Bonsai students tell her, it’s the ideal location for a cafe.Veena’s products seem to be sourced from everywhere like a collection of Sri Lankan masks that hang on one of the walls.

Another garden store in a home not very far away is Myna Batavia’s Green Carpet Garden Centre on 80 Feet Road Koramangala. While they too have an assortment of pots and plants, one interesting aspect is a ‘Plant Clinic’ run by them. They can rejuvenate your ‘sick’ plants and take care of your greens while you are on a longish holiday or assignment. As a concept, that’s certainly unique. At least in this city.

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