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Charming creeper

Ficus pumila with its oval leaves and wiry stems is ideal to camouflage unseemly walls

ATTRACTIVE FOLIAGE Ficus pumila

The common Fig or the Ficus has many attractive specimens, ranging from trees and potted plants to miniature species. All the Ficus, from the common rubber plant to the Fiddle Leaf Fig, have attractive foliage, leading to their great popularity as indoor specimens. If not pot-bound, these plants can be unmanageable, requiring huge spaces.

The Ficus pumila, or the Creeping Fig is a truly different plant, simple and shapely. With tiny oval, green leaves, on wiry twisted stems that cling to any support, this plant has a variety of uses, in the garden.

It can easily be made to climb a moist, rough wall, covering it entirely in a few years, or used as a trailing plant in a hanging container.

The plant requires a shady corner and plenty of water to keep it lush. This could help keep the leaves free of dust and tiny insects.

This plant hides ugly walls or can provide privacy between houses if trained to grow on fences.

RUPA GOPAL

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