The second largest garden in Tamil Nadu has been renovated at the age of 113. Now, a stroll through the refreshing botanical gardens of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University brings a riot of color, aroma and lessons to the flora.
With the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) renovating the Botanical Garden in Coimbatore, I wind up the umbrella of Gulmohar trees. Adding joy to the scene is a cool breeze. Just a few steps away from the yellow, a riot of orange dots the ground. Next to this bay of flowering shrubs of rose, yellow, and orange Tecoma flowers are huge sections of green lawn.
The renovated front of the 113-year-old garden, the second largest in the state after the Government Botanical Garden at Udhagamandalam (Ooty), has lawn grass on both sides, central fountains and gazalos. A pond will be paired with water lilies and lotuses.
The pavement on Main Drive is filled with a row of false Ashoka trees, leaves of trees that grow out in tiers, and Cordia trees that hold saffron-colored flowers throughout the year. Flower climbers and Clarodendrome bushes with white and red flowers form hedges around the arches in the lawn. A QR code displayed next to trees and plants displays both scientific and generic names.
Spread over 47 acres, the park has more than 800 species of vegetation, both exotic and native, and serves as an education center for botanists and the general public. “It brings together education, aesthetics and entertainment,” says T. Kumar, vice-chancellor of T. Kumar. He says, “Bagh is a zero-plastic sector and we ensure that the public follows it strictly. ”
The front entrance leads to a renovated play area for children – a cheerful spot with many swings and colorful slides. An artificial waterfall is being read. There is a garden maze with railings with rows of chlorodendron plants with small white flowers. “These are evergreen plants and can grow up to two meters in size. Children can walk and hide themselves amidst the greenery.
A scented trail
- I chewed and chewed some leaves from a stevia plant. They give me an instant sugar rush. “It’s a bio-sweetener, which is 100 times sweeter than sugar,” says L. Nalina, associate professor in the Department of Floriculture, who specializes in medicinal plants.
- As we pass through the herbal and fragrance garden, which has a valuable collection of over 100 species, she explains, “We educate students on the identification, preservation and use of herbal and aromatic plants.” The public can also gain knowledge. ”
- Like with plants Nilavembu, Brahmi And there are different varieties of Tulsi, such as Thai Long Paper. Yaan Thippili), Coleus, Agatukal Kilungu (A tuber shaped like goat’s feet), Malabar spinach and sweet flag (Wasambu) Belongs to.
- The aroma garden has some amazing-smelling plants ranging from aromatic chamomile and cape jasmine to lavender, thyme, oregano, peppermint, rosemary and cloves.
A short distance away is a five-ton sun garden. It has a central pond which is placed below ground level, and terraces are built around it. It also has steps embellished with bushes with pink zest, and pink, white and purple flowers.
“The horticulture department maintains the garden. It is a tropical botanic garden and serves as an auction center for students of florology to learn about the concepts of landscaping and floriculture as it is a part of the syllabus, ”explains Kumar.
Along with existing plants and trees, many new species have been added, such as the fermented palm from the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kolkata. A group of palm trees with male and female branches are still standing and are picturesque, overlooking the four-lawn green turf developed with Mexican grass.
Beyond flowers and petals
Other attractions include a bambusetum with 15 species of bamboo, a rock garden with cacti species, and a palatum with various palm species.
We stop and look at a beautiful pink flower (it’s a desert rose, a hardy plant, say the Ganges) before taking a look at the trellis embellished with purple wreaths, A beautiful little climber with violet-violet-colored flowers, yellow tabu and wild almonds. A mound lawn with continuous elevations comes into view, a place to sit and see beautiful views of the garden. We walk past Sivakundalam (Sausage Tree) and 100-year-old Gulmohar tree with spiny roots to reach the plant observatory, where the plants are nourished and protected in a greenhouse with a shed net.
A sprinkler water system creates a mist environment for plants. There are anthurium, birds of paradise, helicopian, rose grape plant, peace lily, and more.
“These species require high humidity. Most species of these plants are rare, endangered or threatened. These species cannot withstand direct sunlight, so we nourish them under diffused light, ”explains Ganga.
These efforts have been made for concerted efforts, Kumar explains, “Our objective is to reach the public. The love of flora should eventually lead to conservation. “
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