Gardening in Oman

Gardening in Oman is actually not all that difficult, but if you are from a European climate like OPNO formally was, you might not know what plants grow in Oman best, and what type of soils to use for what. If you are absolutely clueless, as OPNO was before she married MOP [whose family are big on growing date palms and Omani lemons], then this book might be for you.

[I will upload a pic of the book when I get a chance but right now some of my new software is blocking all file uploads]

‘Gardening in Oman and the UAE’ in by Anne Love.

Available from; The Family Bookshop, Qurum and MSQ Smiths Shatti Al Fair branches, MSQ and Markaz Al Bahja PDO Green wing room 298 Charlie Love PDO camp Feather 96470806


Most people in Oman regard gardening as a difficult activity to pursue. Partly because of the lack of open spaces outside their homes, and partly because of the perception that not too many plants and flowers can bloom in the heat of the desert. Anne Love is an exception. With a degree in Biogeography and a second degree in Agriculture, her book Gardening in Oman and the UAE describes the hundreds of varieties of plants, flowers and trees that bloom in Oman. It also speaks of how easy and satisfying it is, to cultivate gardening as a hobby. This is her second book on the subject; the first one was published in 1995.

Anne Love: “The thing about gardening is that it is very easy to do. You only need a bit of space and the rewards are quick. Till date, no one has experimented much with gardening here in Oman.” [says this passionate gardener, who has been growing several different kinds of plants for over 40 years now.] “You would be surprised at the varieties of flowers that grow in Oman, even in the heat. In fact, there are hundreds of them.”

According to her, Oman’s vegetation includes Winter Annuals (like Petunias, Marigolds, Sunflowers and Geraniums, among several others), Herbs, that grow well in pots or window boxes (like mint, coriander, sage, parsley and basil), Permanent plants that grow all the year round, Ground Cover (like shrubs and bushes that grow flat and low), Trees and Climbers.

Anne Love: “There are even plants that bloom to their maximum in the summer heat, like the Rangoon Creeper that thrives in the full sun and the Urechites Lutea or the Yellow Mandevilla, tolerant of a wide range of soils including the alkaline kind found in the Sultanate.”“There are such lovely parks here that have beautiful gardens-the Qurum Park, the gardens of the Grand Mosque and the garden in front of His Majesty’s palace. They are all well maintained and a sight to behold. In fact, at this time of the year, one even gets to see flowers blooming on the roadside. Still people fail to notice this and take the plant life here for granted.”
According to Anne: “The best way to choose a plant is to go to a local park, see what’s growing there, then go to a nursery and buy the plant. The only thing is that for plants to stay green throughout the year, one needs to water them regularly. It costs nothing to buy a few seeds and plant them.”Anne is now planning a third book on Container Gardening, or gardening within a small area, “since space is at a premium these days.”

Anne Love can be reached on arabiangardening@gmail.com.

OPNO hates... this style of decorating, ick:p

I really, really hating overly guilded furniture in a faux-french setting, ie the Arab home. It NEVER comes across as classy to me, but reminds me of a badly staged soap opera about catty rich & famous that I'd be ashamed to watch (good thing I don't other than in arabic, which I don't understand, so when i translate, it is more SCRUBS than whatever Kuwaiti drama about a stolen dress it happens to be in actuality).

I must admit, the majority of classical furniture in Oman is of this kind, so it IS part of the culture, but I don't like it, nor do I accept it. I don't know why but OPNO finds it rather preposterous and strange. And usually it is not complete, the gilded furnished room has a fan beating overhead, not a crystal chandelier. Or the gilt furniture has a cheap plastic-y looking brocade on it. Egyptian and Kuwaiti soap operas, here we come, imitating a commercial Arab pop culture.

Some people see all that marble and guilding as lux, but I see the maids and the cheap fabric on the couch pillows, and I don't see it as anything close. Luxury is effortless, and comfortable, in order to be just that. Elegance is refusal, not ostentation. And I am no minimalist.But when your entire house is covered in marble like below, it kind of looks like a bathroom. No offense. Just my ignorant, NOTREALLYOMANI opinion.

Architecture of Musandam: a little different for Oman

There are only two regions in Oman I have never set foot on, Dhahirah, and Musandam. Only because I haven't had a reason yet, but Musandam is on my list for sure. I have alot of friends that like to fish the fjords, and they love Khasab!

Architecture in Musandam differs from the traditional Sarooj of the interior of Oman, and it reminds me alot of traditional Celtic stoneage buidling techniques in the Shetland Islands, ect.

Also, the traditional ceremonial axes fashioned here, recall similiar ones from a bronze age in the UK and Ireland.

Definately facsinating! As I studied the migrations of different nations, music from different regions in Oman, as well as tribal embroideries and weaving patterns, bear very striking resemblences to certain tribes/aka clans in Scotland and Ireland. Anyways... that probably doesn't interest anyone but me!

The not-so-abandoned willayat of Misfah Al Abriyn

If you want to discover Old Oman, where men can wear nothing other than white dishdashas and their fathers bemoan the fact that khanjars and gun belts (how dare Yemenis show them up when it comes to tradition!) are no longer worn on a regular basis, the village of Misfah al Abriyan is for you. Just a short drive up from Al Hamra near Nizwa, is makes a beautiful picnic/day trip from Nizwa to splash around in the falaj and hike and see the veiw, where houses are still in the traditional Omani style, with Sarooj instead of cement,Hey, look, it is Ali by the swimming pool;). When the Falj is full they fill the swimming pool and kids jump off the roof into the pool.And this is Abdullah.The swimming pool, not filled: If you want to surprise a local (apparently I did) ask him or her which family they are from. If Al Hatali, they originally came from Wadi Bani Auf and intermarried into the Al Abri there. If Al Abri (most from Al Hamra ARE) ask in Misfah which family they fall under, Aulad Omran, Aulad Saif, or Aulad [um, I forget now lol]. But it sure scared (in a good way) people that I knew that LOL! And ladies: please respect the village way of life by covering arms and legs. Thank you!
A friend sent me a video of the Eid celebrations here which included traditional dances. I TOTALLY want to see that next year, inshaAllah!

TIP: As you are a guest of the willayat (village) ask to see the Sabla (meeting place). Maybe someone will give you dates and coffee;)

Jebel Akdhar: abandoned willayat (village) of Wadi Bani Habib

I just recently got to see this lovely village and it took my breath away. I want to live here (though no one will let me!). Yes, yes, my girls from B, you can laugh at me, but this place was just so haunting in my memory.

Please, if you visit, only bring home the Pomegranites (Ra-man). I got one delicious one.

OPNO LOVES... Omani Doors

When I build my house (I will build it here, God Willing), I want a traditional wooden carved door salvaged from an old home, and I am going to have it painted green. This I know already:)

I also know where to have the iron doors made for the gate of the property. If I find an old one, even better.

Probably the most overdone art subject IN Oman, but... A Saudi man once told me the reason people painted their doors such bright colours is so that people could give directions to their homes in the days before street addresses. This could be one of those myths that he told me but...

Aren't they just lovely? I have friends who salvaged one from a house being torn down and they fashioned it into a lovely coffee table.