Cactus Corner and Bonsai main attractions at Mughal Garden this year

President, Pratibha Patil at the Bonsai corner, at Mughal Garden, Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on February 12, 2010.

The Cactus Corner and a Bonsai segment are set to be the main attractions this year at the famed Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan, which will be open for viewing by the public from tomorrow until March 11.

The Gardens, which include such all-time favourites as the Music Garden, the Spiritual Garden, the Herbal Garden and the Biodiversity Park, will be open on all days of the week, except Mondays, from 10 am to 5 pm. Entry will be open only upto 4 pm.

The main garden, with its roses, lilies, tulips, green lawns, fountains and canals, is in full bloom at this time of the year.

The Mughal Gardens, contiguous to the main building of Rashtrapati Bhavan, cover an area of 15 acres. They were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, inspired by the beautiful gardens of Jammu and Kashmir, the garden around the Taj Mahal and Persian and Indian miniature paintings.

The gardens comprise three parts: the first is the Rectangular Garden adjacent to the main Rashtrapati Bhavan building, which is divided into four quarters, each with terraced gardens on either side. The central lawn here is the venue of numerous receptions and "At Homes" hosted by the President.

President Pratibha Patil at the Miniature Cactus Garden and Bonsai during the press preview, at Mughal Garden, Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on February 12, 2010.

The Rectangular Garden has several winter seasonal bulbous and flowering beds, with a prominence of variety of roses which are at full bloom and are the centre of attraction. They include Adora, Mrinalini, Taj Mahal, Modern Art, Oklahoma, John F. Kennedy, Virgo, Mr. Lincoln and Folklore.

In addition, dahlias, tulips, Asiatic lilies, daffodils, ranunculus, hyacinth and other seasonal flowers suitably incorporated add beauty to Central Garden. This central part is followed by the Long Garden, having some prominent and popular roses like Christian Dior, Queen Elizabeth, Iceberg, Pasadena, Montezuma, Summer Snow, First Prize, Century Two and Diri’s Tysterman.

The next part of the garden is the Circular (‘Pearl’ or Butter Fly’ or ‘Sunken’) Garden at the western edge. This is a huge terraced bowl lined with various fragrant and vibrant annual, with a bubble fountain in the middle.

The Long Garden or the "Purdah" Garden, so called because of its shape blooms and blooms, enclosed by high walls, lies to the west of the main garden. It has 16 square rose beds hemmed in by low hedges. Along the walls are lined the resplendent China Orange whose ornamental fruits outnumber the leaves.

President Pratibha Patil at a bed of tulips, at Mughal Garden, Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on February 12, 2010.

The Biodiversity Park, which has deer, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowls, turtles, parakeets, rabbits and migratory birds, is another attraction. This park is also full of peacocks. Important medicinal and aromatic plants depicting their use can be seen in the educational-cum-conservation Herbal Garden. The bio-diesel producing plant Jatropha; Stevia, which provides safe sugar for diabetics, Isabgol (plantago), Damask rose, Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Mints, Tulsi, Geranium and 33 other types of herbs can be seen in the Herbal Garden. Organically grown winter seasonal vegetables are also on display.

NNN