Ooty flower show begins today

Udhagamandalam: A huge replica of Parliament House, made of coronation flowers, will be the main attraction at the 123rd annual flower show to be inaugurated at the Government Botanical Garden (GBG) in the town on Friday.

Over 1.2 lakh of coronation flowers were used to develop the structure.

Joint director of horticulture department Shiva Subramaniam Samraj said, “Over 1.2 lakh coronation flowers of different colours have been procured from Krishnagiri district and Hosur. A huge facsimile of Parliament House has been made of flowers as a special attraction of the 123rd edition of the annual flower carnival.”

He added, “Governor Banwarilal Purohit will inaugurate the flower show and deliver a speech.”

With over 30,000 potted flowers, displayed in the GBG besides flower beds with over 5 lakh of flower seedlings of 186 varieties, the garden is all set to witness the annual event.

The 5-day show will conclude on May 21 with distribution of prizes to the best maintained gardens, both private and public, by the governor.

Over 3 lakh tourists are expected to visit the GBG during the 5-day show.

The popular ‘Ooty Flower Show’ owes its origin to The Marquis of Tweeddale, who as Governor of Madras Presidency, initiated steps to form a public garden in 1847 to encourage horticulture and floriculture.

It is learnt that the governor not only made a handsome personal donation but also had a seasoned gardener, M G McIvor, from the famous Kew Gardens in London to plan the gardens which have now become the cynosure of whole country.