Spring blooms : Major cities host flower shows across India

New Delhi: The flower show helped people learn about native plants and their importance in our culture. Different competitions, such as garden and landscape design, vegetable carving, painting, and flower arrangements, gave participants a chance to show their creativity and talent. The event also made people more aware of the importance of flowers in daily life. Fortunately, in India, flower exhibitions are taking place in all major cities this spring. As per the result, more people are taking an interest in growing flowers in their respective homes. Flowers help reduce pollution and keep the environment fresh and clean.

Amrit Udyan Utsav 2025

The Amrit Udyan Utsav 2025 was unveiled on February 2 and it will continue till March 30, 2025, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Visitors can explore the beautiful gardens daily from 10 am to 6 pm. previously known as the Mughal Garden, Amrit Udyan reflects the Mughal and British landscaping styles. Inspired by Persian garden designs, it symbolizes beauty, symmetry, and peace.

The garden features vibrant flower beds, water channels, and serene walkways. The Rectangular Garden, known for its elegance and balance, is perfect for leisurely walks and photography. The Long Garden is filled with climbing vines, seasonal plants, and lush greenery.

Visitors can enjoy a quiet retreat,surrounded by colorful blossoms and refreshing scents. This festival is a must-visit for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and tourists, offering a unique blend of history, beauty, and serenity.

Tourism Festival at Garden of Five Senses

The national capital recently welcomed the arrival of spring with the 37th Garden Tourism Festival. The event took place at the Garden of Five Senses from February 21 to 23. It was organized by Delhi Tourism with the theme of “Happiness and Health with Horticulture.”

The event was open to tourists from 11 am to 8 pm.The much-awaited exhibition for garden enthusiasts, florists, and nature lovers showcased numerous plants and flowers, especially tray gardens and potted plants, across 20 acres. It provided a great opportunity for visitors to witness a vast collection of horticultural products in one place. The event successfully increased awareness among the people of Delhi.Competitions across 32 categories were one of the key highlights of the exhibition, where florists, gardening lovers, and professionals showcased their expertise to attract visitors.

Also Read: India and New Zealand sign agreement to boost horticulture sector

The event displayed a wide range of greenery, such as hanging baskets, medicinal plants, and more.According to Ajay Kaushik, Deputy Director of Horticulture (Delhi Tourism), and the festival aimed to promote environmental awareness. “By growing plants at home, on balconies, or terraces, families can enjoy chemical-free vegetables, fresh air, and better health,” he had said.Several government departments, including NDMC, CPWD, DJB, DDA, PWD, Northern Railway, Delhi University, and Delhi Airport, supported the successful organization of the event.

Visitors explored different stalls featuring modern gardening tools, fertilizers, and plant sales at the expo. The festival turned out to be a grand success with its vibrant flower and plant showcase, scientifically planned plant arrangements, expert advice, and much more.The Garden of Five Senses, a park in Delhi, India, spread over 20 acres, served as the venue for the event. Located in Saidul Ajaib village, opposite Saket, near the Mehrauli heritage area, the park was designed by Delhi architect Pradeep Sachdeva. It was developed by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation at a cost of Rs 10 crore over three years and was opened in February 2003.

Partly built over a rocky terrain, the garden features various themed areas, including a Mughal Garden-inspired section, pools of water lilies, bamboo courts, herb gardens, and a solar energy park. Every year, the Delhi Government organizes the Garden Tourism Festival at the Garden of Five Senses.

Empress Garden Flower Show Concludes in Pune

Pune recently hosted the much-anticipated ‘Empress Garden Flower Show 2025’ from January 24 to 27. Organized by the Agri-Horticulture Society of Western India, the event attracted nursery owners and horticulture enthusiasts from across the country, including Pune, Kolhapur, Sangli, and Nashik.The event remained open to the public from 9 AM to 7:30 PM and witnessed an overwhelming response from visitors. Nature lovers, students, and gardening enthusiasts flocked to the venue to admire the vibrant display of flowers and plants.

The Empress Botanical Garden, spread across 39 acres, served as the perfect venue for this exhibition. Formerly known as Soldiers’ Gardens during British India, the garden currently houses 180-200 tree varieties, creating a lush green ambiance.The exhibition aimed at raising awareness about flowers, horticulture, and environmental conservation. Besides viewing the displays, visitors explored the 5-acre plant nursery, where a wide range of saplings were available for purchase at reasonable prices.

The Empress Garden Flower Show 2025 witnessed participation from nurseries across the country, including Pune, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nashik, and even Andhra Pradesh. This wide representation brought together a diverse collection of plants, flowers, and gardening techniques, offering visitors a unique experience.Adding a special touch to the event, painting and handwriting competitions for schoolchildren, including those with special needs, took place on Sunday, January 12.

Over 1,000 students from various schools participated, showcasing their creativity and skills.As part of the flower show, the garden featured beautifully designed landscapes, pot displays, and floral arrangements, leaving visitors mesmerized by the vibrant showcase of horticulture.

The Empress Garden Flower Show 2025 concluded on a successful note, with visitors appreciating the efforts made to promote gardening and horticulture. The event once again highlighted Pune’s rich botanical heritage, leaving attendees inspired to embrace greenery in their surroundings.

Vasant Utsav Ends in Noida

The 37th annual flower show, Vasant Utsav, unfolded in Noida from February 20 to February 23. Organized by the Noida Authority in partnership with the city’s floriculture association, the four-day event took place at Helipad Ground/Shivalik Park in Sector 33A from 11 AM to 9 PM.The main theme of the festival was Maha Kumbh’s ‘Triveni Sangam of Prayagraj’, which featured a dazzling flowery entrance. One of the main attractions was a huge replica of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which mesmerized visitors.Throughout the four-day event, several performances and exhibitions were held, including blossom arrangements, cut flower and vegetable sculptures, and a fusion band performance. Visitors had the opportunity to admire a variety of spectacular flowers such as alyssum, aster, brachycome, calendula, dianthus, gazania, larkspur, marigold, nasturtium, Californian poppy, salvia, stock, verbena, and viola.Over 80 stalls were set up, showcasing gardening tools, pottery, manure, and other horticultural supplies.

The event provided visitors with a chance to learn about modern gardening techniques and purchase essential horticultural products.Several engaging programs took place, including prize distribution ceremonies, cultural dance performances, a flash painting competition, and a Kavi Sammelan. Schoolchildren were taught plantation methods and composting kitchen waste, promoting environmental awareness.According to Vandana Tripathi, CEO of the Noida Authority, substantial efforts were made to ensure the smooth execution of the event. Invitations were sent to schools, corporate offices, colleges, and resident welfare associations (RWAs), leading to significant participation. Organizers worked tirelessly to make the event a grand success, and their efforts paid off as visitors enjoyed a vibrant and well-managed floral festival.

Floral Extravaganza at Hyderabad Airport

.ited (GHIAL) organized its first-ever horticulture show, PushpUtsav’25 on January 10. The three-day event concluded on January 12 (Sunday) and was held at the Aero Plaza, Car Park Level, near the Passenger Terminal Building. The event was unveiled by senior officials from GHIAL, aiming to enhance the airport experience for passengers and visitors through innovative initiatives.PushpUtsav’25 created a unique and memorable airport experience by showcasing a variety of flowers and plants.

The exhibition featured chrysanthemums, dahlias, roses, bonsais, ikebana, and cut flowers, captivating passengers, nature lovers, families, tourists, and students, who thronged the venue in large numbers.Numerous competitions were held in various categories, including flowering plants and floral arrangements. Participants were judged based on several criteria, such as cleanliness, plant health, number of blooms, and overall presentation.Speaking at the event, Pradeep Panicker, CEO of GHIAL, stated, “PushpUtsav’25 was not just about flowers; it was about celebrating the harmony between nature and the airport environment.

This event reflected our commitment to sustainability and creating a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.”PushpUtsav’25 provided a strong platform for nurseries, floral designers, and the community engaged in the horticulture sector. Hosting this innovative event highlighted GHIAL’s dedication to promoting horticulture and environmental awareness among people from all walks of life.

Floral Tribute to Ramayana and Valmiki

The vibrant Lalbagh Flower Show at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden commenced on Thursday, January 16, and successfully concluded after mesmerizing visitors with dazzling floral showcases. This year’s much-awaited exhibition paid tribute to the Ramayana and Valmiki’s legacy, drawing admiration from thousands of attendees.

A huge number of visitors, not only from Bengaluru but also from neighboring states, turned up to witness the marvelous floral displays.The Lalbagh Flower Show, which has been held in Bengaluru since 1951, once again proved to be a grand spectacle. This year, visitors marveled at intricate floral designs created with 25 lakh flowers, out of which 10 lakh flowers were dedicated to the central theme. The iconic glasshouse displayed 85 varieties of annual flowers and 27 varieties of temperate flowers, making it a visual feast for nature lovers.The event provided nature enthusiasts with the opportunity to admire various species of flowers and plants. Additionally, it helped raise awareness about the importance of horticulture and floriculture among the public.

The organizers ensured smooth arrangements for visitors, ensuring that they faced no difficulties during the event. Tickets for the show remained affordable, with Rs 80 for adults on weekdays and Rs 100 on weekends, while children paid just Rs 30. This made the extravagant flower show accessible to people from all walks of life.With its grand success, the Lalbagh Flower Show 2025 once again reinforced Bengaluru’s love for horticulture and floral artistry, leaving visitors eagerly awaiting the next edition.

Floral Exhibition Witnesses Massive Turnout

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the vibrant International Flower Show 2025 at the Sabarmati Riverfront on January 3. The dazzling exhibition remained open until January 22 for visitors, according to a government release. A huge number of people thronged the event on the first day, and the total number of visitors surpassed last year’s figures. Last year, over 20 lakh visitors attended the event, and the 400-meter flower wall was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for its remarkable display. People from neighboring states also visited the flower show in large numbers.

However, the Guinness Book of World Records team officially recognised Ahmedabad’s 10.24-metre tall and 10.84-metre wide floral bouquet as the largest flower bouquet in the world.The Ahmedabad Flower Show, which began in 2013 at the Sabarmati Riverfront during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, once again showcased a breathtaking floral experience. The six zones of the event featured more than 10 lakh flowers from 50 species, captivating visitors.As per the official release: Zone 1 featured flower sculptures of elephants, lotuses, arches, canopy clusters, and the Konark Chakra, which particularly delighted children. Zone 2 showcased sculptures of tigers, peacocks, greater flamingos, sable camels, and Asiatic lions. Zone 3 reflected India’s global leadership in tackling challenges like global warming and climate change.

The entry fee for the show was Rs 100 on weekends and Rs 70 on weekdays, making it accessible to a wide range of visitors. The International Flower Show 2025 concluded successfully, leaving nature enthusiasts and visitors with a memorable experience.

Chandigarh Rose Festival 2025

As Chandigarh hosted the three-day 53rd Rose Festival, which began on February 21, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) also announced the winners of its flower and garden competition. The best-maintained parks were also adjudged across different categories.In the neighbourhood park category (maintained by RWAs under MoU, excluding parks in the Chandigarh Housing Board complex and government houses):First prize: Eco Green Environment Society, Sector 18-D. Second prize: Resident Welfare Society, Sector 37-A.

Third prize: House Owners Welfare Association, Sector 34For neighbourhood parks in Chandigarh Housing Board complexes and government houses: First prize: Society for Development and Maintenance of Park Number 1, Sector 41-A. Second prize: Public Welfare Association, Sector 41-A. Third prize: Resident Welfare Forum, Category-I, Sector 51-A, and Public Welfare Association, Sector 41-AIn the best internal park category (maintained by group housing societies in Chandigarh): First prize: The New Light Cooperative House Building (First) Society Ltd, Sector 51-B. Second prize: The Ajanta Society Ltd, Sector 51-DThe Rose Festival 2025 celebrated Chandigarh’s passion for horticulture, with the competition highlighting the city’s well-maintained green spaces.

IHS: A Passion for Gardening Since 1988

The Indraprastha Horticulture Society (IHS) was founded in 1988 by Ms. Rachna Jain to bring garden lovers together on a common platform. What started with just 12 members has now grown into a vibrant community of over 200 passionate nature enthusiasts.IHS organizes monthly meetings for its members, featuring lectures and demonstrations on floriculture, kitchen gardening, food and nutrition, flower arrangements, vegetable carving, and more.

Hands-on workshops teach practical skills like bonsai-making, tray gardens, composting, and food preservation.During the pandemic, IHS adapted to online learning, hosting webinars with well-known experts. Members received valuable guidance on topics like growing fruits and vegetables, conserving the environment, and healthy living.

The annual flower show of IHS is a major attraction in Delhi and the NCR region. Government departments, schools, colleges, and institutions eagerly participate, making it a prestigious event. Winning a prize at this flower show has become a matter of pride.Aims & Objectives of HIS: Encouraging gardening and improving skills, connecting plant lovers to share knowledge, transforming wastelands into green spaces, inspiring children through fun workshops, promoting organic farming and sustainability, reducing waste through the reuse, recycle, and Delhi’s gardening world, IHS’s flower show is the most awaited event, setting the benchmark for horticultural excellence. With its commitment to a greener future, IHS continues to inspire garden lovers across the city.

SC Stops Tree Cutting in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony

The Supreme Court on January 10 ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Tree Authority not to allow any tree and flower cutting in Aarey Colony without its approval.A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Aravind Kumar said that the Tree Authority can process applications, but it must seek final orders from the Supreme Court before granting permission.

The order came after the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) told the court that there is no pending request to cut more trees in Aarey Colony. The next hearing is scheduled for March 5, 2025.In December 2023, the Supreme Court asked the Maharashtra government to confirm if more trees were planned to be cut in Aarey.

In April 2023, the court criticized MMRCL for exceeding the permitted limit of 84 trees for the metro car shed project. It also fined MMRCL Rs 10 lakh.Later, the court allowed the removal of 177 trees, saying that stopping the work would halt an important public project.The Supreme Court continues to monitor the issue to ensure that trees in Mumbai’s Aarey forest are protected while balancing development needs.

Delhi LG Inaugurates Tulip Festival

The Delhi Tulip Festival 2025 was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and the Netherlands Ambassador Marisa Gerardsat on February 7 at Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri. The festival, in its third edition, ran for 12 days, showcasing a vibrant display of tulips across the capital.The festival remained open till February 23, 2025, welcoming visitors from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Entry was free, attracting nature lovers, photographers, and tourists. Many visitors used the Delhi Metro’s Yellow Line, exiting at Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station for easy access.For the first time, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) offered one lakh tulip bulbs for sale to the public. These were available at Shanti Path Lawn, Lodhi Garden, Nehru Park, Talkatora Garden, Central Park, and NDMC nurseries.

This year, NDMC imported 3.25 lakh tulip bulbs from the Netherlands, planting 2.25 lakh in open spaces. The centerpiece at Shanti Path featured 1.46 lakh bulbs, creating a stunning floral wonderland. Tulips were also planted in 20 DDA parks, enhancing Delhi’s green spaces.Delhi’s tulip cultivation began in 2017-18 with a trial of 17,000 bulbs to test suitability.

Over time, it became an annual tradition. This year, NDMC produced 10,880 large tulip bulbs through storage and multiplication techniques. Additionally, 14,735 tulip bulbs cultivated in Himachal Pradesh in collaboration with the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR) were also used.The Delhi Tulip Festival 2025 successfully concluded, leaving the city in awe of its stunning floral beauty and strengthening its reputation as a hub for horticultural excellence.

DDA’s ‘Palaash’ Flower Festival

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) organized its annual flower event, ‘Palaash,’ in Sector-16D, Dwarka, from February 22-23. Visitors explored a variety of flowers, ranging from indigenous to exotic species, arranged in stunning floral displays. Alongside the vibrant flower exhibits, the festival featured tree plantations, food stalls, amusement rides, nursery stalls, and entertainment activities. DDA invited tenders from nursery stall vendors responsible for selling plants (except seasonal flowers), vermicompost, and other horticultural products.

Each stall spanned 200 square feet and included the sale of tools, equipment, plant nutrients, and pesticides.To enhance the experience, DDA also auctioned food stalls and invited vendors for children’s amusement rides. The auction included three play equipment installations for kids’ entertainment.In 2024, a similar flower festival was held at DDA Greens on Shivaji Marg, Rohtak Road, inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on March 2.

The event aimed to promote a cleaner and greener Delhi, spreading awareness about ecological conservation.The ‘Palaash’ Flower Festival 2025 successfully concluded, bringing together nature lovers, families, and gardening enthusiasts, while highlighting DDA’s efforts toward environmental sustainability.

Kashmir Tulip Festival 2025

The Kashmir Tulip Festival 2025 is expected to begin on March 23, 2025, and will last for about 20 days, depending on the weather and tulip bloom. The best time to visit is during the first two weeks of April, when the tulips are in full bloom.The festival takes place at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir.

This is the largest tulip garden in Asia, covering 30 hectares (74 acres). The garden is located at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, offering a beautiful view of Dal Lake.The Kashmir Tulip Festival is not just about tulips. It is a celebration of Kashmiri culture, where visitors can enjoy: Traditional Kashmiri music and dance performances. Handicrafts such as Pashmina shawls, carpets, and paper art. Local Kashmiri cuisine, including traditional dishes.The tulip garden has over 1.5 million tulips of more than 73 varieties.

The tulips are planted in rows, with each row having a different color and type of tulip. Besides tulips, the garden also has: Hyacinths, d daffodils and ranunculus. The garden is designed with seven terraces and has walkways, fountains, and a water channel, making it a perfect spot for photography and relaxation.The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was formerly known as Siraj Bagh. It was opened in 2007 to boost tourism in Kashmir. Since then, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Srinagar.The tulips bloom for only about 20 days, after which they start to lose their color. This is why the festival is held for a short period every year.

The garden is expected to close by mid-April.Best time to visit: The first week of April when tulips are in full bloom. If you visit too early (March 23-30), the tulips might not be fully bloomed. The seven terraces, walkways, and fountains offer great photo opportunitiesApart from the beautiful flowers, the festival also offers a chance to experience Kashmiri culture. Visitors can: Watch folk music and dance performances. Buy handmade Kashmiri items like Pashmina shawls and carpets. Enjoy traditional Kashmiri food at food stalls.The Tulip Garden is in Srinagar, which is well-connected by air, road, and rail: The Srinagar International Airport is about 20 km away.

Taxis and buses are available from Srinagar city. The nearest railway station is in Jammu, from where you can take a taxi or bus to Srinagar.The Kashmir Tulip Festival is a once-a-year event that combines nature, culture, and tradition. It is a perfect place for: Nature lovers who enjoy flower gardens. Photographers looking for stunning landscapes. Tourists who want to experience Kashmiri culture. If you are planning a trip to Kashmir in March or April 2025, don’t miss this breathtaking festival.

Syngenta Hosts Flower Show

Syngenta Flowers organized a grand Floriculture Show at Jain Agro Greens in Garh Mukteshwar, Delhi on February 7 and 8. The event attracted over 120 growers from all parts of India, eager to explore new innovations in the Syngenta Flowers portfolio. The news of the event spread quickly, prompting many growers to travel long distances to witness the latest advancements in horticulture.

Mukul Tyagi, General Secretary of the Indian Nurserymen Association (INA), attended the event. He expressed his appreciation, stating, “We are very impressed by the flower assortment, plant quality, and the way this event has been organized. We are happy to support similar initiatives in the future.”The Flower Show highlighted Syngenta’s top flower varieties, featuring advanced and highly resistant plants. Some of the flagship products presented included: Cora XDR Series Vincas: These flowers have the highest resistance against aerial phytophthora, a major plant disease. This makes them a safe choice for growers who want to protect their crops. Impatiens Walleriana: The Athena series from the Floranova brand offers a wide color range, while the Imara XDR variety has strong resistance against downy mildew, making it ideal for humid areas.

Gazania Portfolio: This includes Kiss, Big Kiss, and Frosty Kiss varieties, with Frosty Kiss featuring unique grey-silver foliage.

Marigold Varieties: Inca and Inca II have been the benchmark for marigolds in South Asian markets for decades. Their superior quality was once again evident at the show.

Antirrhinum Majus Portfolio: The Snaptini variety is excellent for bedding and landscaping, while Overture is a dual-purpose variety that thrives in gardens and as a cut flower with a 12-day vase life.

Holding the Flower Show in early February allowed Syngenta Flowers to showcase its cool-season crops, which are popular in India. Key highlights included:

Dianthus (Barbatus F1): A widely grown crop in India, the Barbarini variety is a true perennial, known for its winter hardiness and vibrant colors in the first year.

Super Parfait and Venti Parfait: These varieties provide exceptional floriferousness, with Venti Parfait featuring large, eye-catching blooms that cover the plant entirely.

Pansies (Viola x Wittrockiana): The globally popular Delta Pro variety attracted many growers. However, the Colossus variety stole the show with its giant flowers, short sturdy stems, and ability to resist heat and humidity. Unlike other pansies, Colossus does not stretch, maintaining a compact and tidy appearance.

Beyond in-person events, Syngenta Flowers provides digital support to growers worldwide. Ivan, a key member of the Syngenta team, conducts “Webinar Wednesday”, where he presents 40-minute online sessions focused on specific crops. These webinars are packed with best practices, expert tips, and growing techniques. They are recorded and made freely available for all Indian growers, ensuring continued learning and support.

The Syngenta Flowers South Asia team, along with its valued partners, worked together to make the Flower Show a success. The event not only introduced new and improved flower varieties but also strengthened relationships between growers and industry experts.

With the growing interest in horticulture and floriculture, events like this help farmers and nursery owners adopt innovative techniques, improve crop resilience, and enhance plant quality. The Indian Nurserymen Association (INA) continues to play a vital role in supporting such initiatives, ensuring the growth of the floriculture industry in India.

Greater Noida’s Flower Festival

Greater Noida hosted a three-day flower festival from February 28 to March 2 at City Park (Samrat Mihir Bhoj Park). The festival’s theme was marigold, but many other flowers like alyssum, anthurium, calendula, cineraria, gazania, and salvia were also displayed.A special fashion show featured children wearing outfits made from fruits and vegetables.

Visitors enjoyed a laser light show, flower sculptures, themed gardens, and horticulture workshops. More than 100 participants took part in various competitions, said Abhishek Pathak, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Greater Noida Authority.The festival included a drawing and painting competition for school students, as well as inter-school dance and music contests. Local residents, RWAs, AOAs, developers, and NGOs joined the celebrations. Visitors also enjoyed live music, dance performances, cultural programs, and street plays.

Lucknow’s Flower Exhibition

Lucknow’s Raj Bhavan hosted its much-awaited Annual Flower, Vegetables, and Fruits Exhibition from February 7 to February 9. This year, with the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, the Flower Show paid tribute with a magnificent floral depiction of Mahakumbh’s mythological origins.A majestic floral structure of Samudra Manthan was the main attraction.

A towering floral Lord Ganesha sculpture stood in front of the national flag. Floral replicas of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir and a Heritage Flower Island added to the spiritual ambiance.A floral replica of Hussainabad Clock Tower honored Lucknow’s rich architectural history. The fine arts department of Lucknow University created a floral depiction of the solar system, displaying the sun and eight planets.

Visitors admired colorful structures shaped into animals and birds, enhancing the visual appeal.India’s rich spice heritage was celebrated with a stunning map crafted using spices from different states, making it a key highlight. Farmers showcased an impressive variety of indigenous, hybrid, and exotic fruits and vegetables, displaying the region’s agricultural richness. The three-day exhibition remained one of Lucknow’s most beloved events, attracting nature lovers and families seeking a refreshing experience.

Bhubaneswar Flower Exhibition

Annual State-Level Flower Exhibition was inaugurated at Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC), Ekamra Kanan, Bhubaneswar on January 7. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the event along with Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia.The Chief Minister unveiled the Annual Research Report of RPRC (2024-25) and the latest edition of Sabujima magazine by the Plant Lovers Association. He also inaugurated a new gate complex, a multi-colored garden, and a cactus house at Ekamra Park.Visitors enjoyed cut flowers, bonsai, orchids, and themed gardens, along with Odissi, Chhau, Sambalpuri, and Paika dance performances.

Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia announced the extension of the exhibition until January 12, instead of the originally planned January 11.About 70 institutions from across Odisha participated in the exhibition, jointly organized by RPRC, Plant Lovers Association, and Odisha Rose Society.Unlike previous years, the flower exhibition lasted five days instead of two, aligning with the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations in Bhubaneswar.The exhibition featured 70 stalls showcasing over 500 varieties of flowers, including roses, marigolds, dahlias, zinnias, and ferns.The extension decision highlighted public enthusiasm and made the event a successful horticultural celebration in the state.

Vibrant Chennai Flower Show

The fourth annual Chennai Flower Show was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at Semmozhi Poonga, Cathedral Road, Chennai, on January 2, 2025. Inspired by the Ooty Flower Show, the event featured over 30 lakh flowers arranged in three million pots, forming elephants, peacocks, trains, and butterflies.Flowers were sourced from Ooty, Yercaud, Kodaikanal, and Krishnagiri, creating a vibrant floral display.

Show Extended Due to Demand. Originally set to end on January 11, the exhibition was extended to January 19 due to overwhelming public interest.Visitors enjoyed 800+ rare plant species, including petunias, marigolds, delphiniums, and begonias. Special floral sculptures of animals and birds delighted children. Flowers and decorative pots were available for purchase at the venue.Entry tickets were Rs 200 for adults and Rs 100 for children, with visiting hours from 10 AM to 7 PM daily.The Chennai Flower Show 2025 attracted hundreds of visitors to Semmozhi Poonga, making it a perfect outing for families and nature lovers.

TNAU hosts Covai Flower Show

The seventh ‘Covai Flower Show’ was hosted by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) from February 8 to 12 in its 25-acre garden. Various flowers like Celosia, Petunia, Zinnia, Dahlia, Malligai, and Chendu Malli were exhibited, along with Lotus, Rose, Carnation, Orchid, and Lilium.Floral arches using Kangambaram, a long-forgotten flower, were on display. Orchids, bonsai, terrace gardens, and home garden models were also exhibited. A floral rainbow was created, and a flower depiction of Tamil Nadu’s state butterfly, ‘Tamil Yeoman’, was showcased. Last year’s three-day show saw over 1 lakh visitors. This year, the event was extended to five days, including a weekend and public holiday, attracting a larger crowd.The venue accommodated up to 25,000 visitors at a time. Entry was Rs 100 for adults and Rs 50 for children. Traditional cultural performances, stalls, and a food court were set up, making it a memorable event.

Pookalam Flower Show, Tourist Destination

The second edition of the Pookalam Flower Show began on January 23, 2025, at Malampuzha Garden, a famous tourist destination in South India. It was inaugurated by MLA A. Prabhakaran.The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and the Irrigation Department jointly organized the event to restore the lost glory of Malampuzha Garden.

The MLA announced Rs 4 crore from his MLA fund for electrification work, which was set to begin soon.Prabhakaran expressed concern over climate change, stating that plant growth was affected due to low rainfall. He urged garden staff to select climate-resistant plants. He recalled that Malampuzha Garden once featured in Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam films and emphasized the need to restore its charm.

YP Singh

Editor, Nursery Today