The 119th flower show by the district administration, Tourism Department, and Horticulture Department began here on on Friday.Governor K. Rosaiah; Minister for Housing, Urban Development R. Vaithialingam; Agriculture Secretary Rajesh Lakhoni; Director of Horticulture L. Sitherasenan; and District Collector P. Sankar attended the inaugural.
The attractions this year include various decorations using four lakh plants.
Flowers imported from over 119 countries too are on display.
A 40ft long, 40ft wide, and 23ft tall Taj Mahal made of using nearly 1 lakh flowers is drawing the attention of tourists.
Other attractions include an 8 ft tall, 12 ft long, and 4 ft wide elephant made using Spagnum Mass.
The new park in the garden premises has decorations using 6,000 flowers.
The flowers used are inca marigold, French marigold, phlox, betunia, pancy, dianthus, begonia, dalia, balsam, ranaculas, viola, ageratum, calendula, gladiolus, lillium, sunflower and sapnoaria.
Ten arches have been made using gerbera flowers. Decorations made using tulip too are attracting a large number of tourists.
This year, flower parks have been created in various places in the district and have registered with the flower show committee. Rolling trophies have been instituted for the best park, and best flower.
Governor K. Rosaiah lauded the organisers for the efforts taken to put up the decorations.
Last year 22 lakh people visited The Nilgiris during the summer season, officials said.
Rain in the last couple of days in Coonoor has forced the Horticulture Department officials to take measures to protect flower beds in the Katteri Park. There are over 100 flower beds for over 30 varieties of flowers.