Chrysanthemums string a floral fantasy at Malaysia flower fete

Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia, is sometimes referred to as the ‘city of gardens’.

The flower beds at the Putrajaya garden festival were a big attraction. — Photo: Srinivasa Ramanujam

Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia, is sometimes referred to as the ‘city of gardens’. It certainly lived up to the name at the ninth edition of ‘Royal Floria Putrajaya’, a show that hosted 83 outdoor gardens and saw participation by 11 countries.

The spread of 29 acres along the picturesque Putrajaya lake was a treat for flower lovers.

“The first year’s theme flower was hibiscus, our national flower,” says Sashikala Nathan, media advisor for the show. This year, the event celebrates the chrysanthemum.

“We had the rose as the theme one year — and got almost 1.2 million visitors due to its popularity. This year’s theme flower was specially grown at the Cameron Highlands.”

The opening night was marked by a colourful parade of 14 boats along the lake. The flower and garden festival, spread over nine days, is organized by the Putrajaya Corporation with support of the Federal Territories Ministry, Tourism and Culture Ministry and Tourism Malaysia. It is expected to attract close to a million visitors.

This edition also features the Royal Floria International Dialogue – for the first time – to bring together the best in the field of horticulture and floriculture.

(The writer was at the festival on the invitation of Tourism Malaysia)