Udhagamandalam gears up for summer festival

The government Botanical Garden is being readied for the 125th flower show in Udhagamandalam

It’s May, a time when the iconic Government Botanical Garden (GBG) in Udhagamandalam turns into a burst of colours. The timeless calla lillies, liliums, dahlias, salvias, and marigolds that grow in this 55-acre garden set up in 1848, are in full bloom ushering in celebrations and summer festivities.

Over 45,000 flower pots displaying a variety of blooms and 10 lakh seedlings are being readied for showcase at the 125th annual flower show that happens between May 19 and May 23.

A gallery of potted plants numbering to several thousands display as many as 200 varieties of exotic flowers including sapanarias, ranunculus, dianthus, petunias, statice and marigolds at the annual festival.

Exotic flowers are a big draw at the floral gallery, especially the trumpet-shaped flowers, the calla lilies that resemble an upturned bell in colours from deep burgundy to lemon yellow and bright orange. Along with specials like purple limoniums, orange and pink gerberas, there will also be a line up of tulips, hyacinths, and liatris along with native blooms.

Most floral decorations will be theme-based, driving home awareness messages. According to an official at the horticulture department, themes including Ooty turning 200, international year of millets, cutting down on plastics and bringing back the manjappai, and building a Nilgiris on sustainability will be highlighted.

The Horticulture Department starts preparing the garden for the annual show as early as October. They purchase seeds of exotic flowers from dealers who import them from Japan, Canada and other European countries. Several lakhs of seedlings are nurtured at the garden to ensure that the plants are in full bloom in time for the festival.

The Nilgiris district administration has planned other events to ring in summer festivities including the vegetable show on May 7 and May 8 at the Nehru Park in Kotagiri.