Petal power

SIX years ago, in Udhagamandalam, the the rose was the focus of attention. And here is how it all began. In May 1995, the organisers of the Centenary Flower Festival at the Government Botanical Gardens decided to create a rose garden at the Vijayanagaram horticultural farm atop a hill in the heart of Udhagamandalam.

However, the garden, named the "Jayalalitha Rose Garden", and later re-christened the "Centenary Rose Park", is yet to become popular with tourists. But things may change as it is listed as a must-see on tourist brochures that detail tourist spots in the Blue Mountains.

Apart from media attention, two factors which have kept the park in the limelight have been the newly formed Nilgiris Rose Society and the proceedings of this year's annual general meeting of the Indian Rose Federation (IRF).

Delegates at the IRF meeting described the park as one of the finest of its kind in Asia - perhaps the thousands of roses in bloom at the time helped.

Meanwhile, the Nilgiris Rose Society, slated to become an affiliate of the IRF, has been busy with the "Rose Show". Says its president, Dr. B. Suresh, "the show will become a regular feature."

The Department of Horticulture maintains the rose park. According to the State Agriculture Commissioner, Mr. Surjith K. Chowdhary, "the park will be promoted at national and international fora." An additional 2,844 varieties are being planted at the park. There are 2,156 now. Originally it had 17,256 plants representing 1,919 varieties. Now it has about 20,000 plants. The Joint Director of Horticulture, Nilgiris, Mr. K. Shanmugham, says the park was developed across an area of about four hectares and over five long terraces at a cost of about Rs. 40 lakhs. The park is situated on the lower slopes of Elk Hill facing Ooty town. The collection includes Floribundas, Polyanthas, miniatures, hybrid teas and creepers.

The Assistant Director of Horticulture, Mr. A. J. Mathan, who is in charge of the park, claims that after a tour,one would have seen almost all the varieties of roses available in the country.

D. RADHAKRISHNAN

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Previous : Rooted far and wide
Next     : Why we should pay taxes