The colourful and elegant alstromeria lilies, brought from Ooty, are set to be the cynosure of all eyes at the Independence Day Flower Show starting at the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens here on Thursday.
For, about 65,000 alstromeria lilies are being used to construct a floral tree house with wild animals, the theme chosen by the Horticulture Department to highlight sensitivity to the ecology.
The floral hut at the famed Glass House will be built on an eight-foot trunk along with floral depictions of the dinosaur, panda and so on. It will be bedecked with 32,000 carnations.
Temperate flowers
Disclosing this to presspersons on Monday, Horticulture Department Director K.G. Jagadeesha said: “This huge arrangement of temperate flowers will be the special attraction at the flower show.”
In addition to this, rare and special temperate flower such as lisianthus, spray carnations, chrysanthemums, primulas, rananculuses, limonias, cyclamens and calla lilies will be displayed.
The show will also feature 681 exhibits, including some rare botanical fruits, orchids and bromeliads from India and abroad. They include beggar’s bowl, cannon ball tree, Pterocarpus echinatus , Cassia grandis , elephant apple, egg fruit and Kegilia pinnata, as well as 16 types of anthuriums in unique shapes, colours and types.
Floral pot display
The floral pots display will include a wide range of tropical, subtropical and temperate flowers, including orchids, roses, poinsettias, pentas carnea, gerberas, helichrysums, fuchsias, begonias, empatiens, geraniums, hydrangeas, cyclamens, petunias, clarkias, cosmos, zinnia, salvias, snapdragon, nasturtiums and cockscomb, among others. More than 150 attractive plants will be displayed at the Bonsai Park while sand sculptures by Prashanth Kumar would be an additional attraction.
Mr. Jagadeesha said the number of participants of garden competition had gone up to 764. Participants in the ikebana, Indian floral art, bonsai and vegetable carving competitions have also risen to 417.
The show will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar at the Glass House on August 9. It concludes on August 15.
