Government Rose Garden in Ooty gears up ahead of annual showpiece event

Officials are keen to ensure tourists, who are expected to throng in thousands, enjoy having a glimpse of the roses in full bloom.

“A major attraction at the rose show is the entrance decorated in the shape of peacock and jallikattu bull using over 50,000 roses. Horticulture department personnel from various districts like Madurai, Dindigul, Salem and Krishnagiri are exhibiting their works at the two-day show,” said an official of the horticulture department in Ooty.

The garden, which is visited by about eight lakh tourists annually, has a unique variety of rose with its petals in green colour. There are also several multi-coloured flowers on display and many imported ones.

Spread over an area of 4.40 hectares, the park has around 38,000 roses belonging to 4,000 varieties. Interestingly, a rose, planted by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has been fondly named after her in remembrance. A name board written as Jayalalithaa has been placed in front of the rose plant.

A three-day long ‘Spice show’ is to be held at St Thomas Higher Secondary School grounds in Gudalur on Friday. However continuous rains have played spoilsport with the arrangements for the spice show drawing flak from tourists and local public. The venue for the show has been turned into a pool of slush due to stagnation of water following the downpour.

“Tourists may find it difficult to walk or sit while watching the events. Even setting up of entertainment zones for children has been delayed due to rains. The Spice show may witness less footfall if things are not set right soon,” said S Purusothaman, a resident of Gudalur.

Meanwhile, arrangements are also on for the ‘Flower show’, a three-day event, commencing on May 18 at Government Botanical Garden. The 60th ‘Fruit show’ will be held on May 26 and 27 at ‘Sim’s Park’ in Coonoor.