It is that time of the year to reap the fruitful, or should we say flowering benefits of what was sown in December-January by the gardeners of The Nilgiris. As the main attraction of the Ooty Summer Festival, organised by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Ooty’s flower show during the month of May is a calendared event for many, globally. With the glasshouse reconstructed and a new garden fitted into the botanical gardens’ 22 hectares, around 20,000 pots would feature 185 varieties this year. Following 1.15 lakh walk-ins in 2017, organisers expect these numbers to increase this season including appearances from eminent personalities like ministers, collectors, directors and commissioners. State heads like Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy and Governor Banwarilal Purohit are also expected as chief guests for the inauguration and valedictory functions respectively. “In response to popular demand, the show that was only featured for two-three days previously is all set to host a five-day event for the first time, starting May 18 in the designated Government Botanical Gardens,” shares Shiva Subramaniam Samraj, JD of the Horticulture Department.
Turning a new leaf
As a platform to showcase the diversity of flora grown in The Nilgiris, this year, succulents, cacti, verbenas, chrysanthemums, balsams, asters, hydrangeas, dahlias, zinnias, williams, cosmos dwarfs, oriental lilies, gales and celosias make for star attractions, we learn. Competing individual and institutional gardeners for designing sculptures or special arrangements will face evaluations by judges from departments like horticulture and its allied research departments and will be awarded during the valedictory ceremony. As a true week of colour and splendour, competitions like dry flower arrangements, best bouquet and rangoli competitions will also be conducted to encourage creativity along with cultural performances by the Toda and Badga tribes, a musical light show and a magic show. Local NGOs, the Police Department and staff from organising departments will all be roped in to ensure smooth functioning of activities and safety of the public.
Of roses and rosemary
Other than the flower show, Ooty also witnessed exclusive horticulture shows for their world-class rose, spice and vegetable produce earlier this month. About 50,000 people caught glimpses of 4,000 varieties of roses, 30,000 potted plants and sculptures at the rose garden. Using 14 varieties of spices weighing about 300 kg, an image of Valluvar Kottam was raised at the spice show. Creating awareness to maintain home gardens for growing kitchen supplies, the vegetable show felicitated private gardeners. Coonoor will also join in the festivities with a two-day fruit show to be held at Sim’s Park from May 26.
Entry fee at Rs 30 for adults and Rs 15 for children. 7 am to 6.30 pm.