PUTRAJAYA: Those who love flowers can visit Floria Putrajaya, which is back for the seventh year.

It will be held from June 14 to 22 at Persisiran Tasik, Precinct 4, here.

The event promises to be a nine-day extravaganza with 200 daily activities, including workshops and gardening demonstrations.

The theme is the Begonia flower.

There are 1,500 species in the Begonia family which is native to subtropical and tropical climates.

Some species are grown indoors as ornamental house plants in cooler climates.

Popular flowers such as the hibiscus, orchid, heliconia and rose were featured in previous years.

Putrajaya Corporation president Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat said the event had become a brand for Putrajaya.

He said there were 37 participants from 22 countries.

“This year’s event promises to be the biggest and most spectacular floral festival at a new and permanent 11ha site,” said Aseh.

“This site has basic infrastructure such as parking bays for visitors.”

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said three competitions had been introduced in an effort to bring Floria Putrajaya up to par with other international floral festivals.

“The competitions are Floria Putrajaya Pavilion Challenge Cup, Orchid Competition and Floria Putrajaya Garden Challenge Cup,” said Tengku Adnan who officiated the soft launch of the event.

Local societies will be having exhibits while landscape architects will create designer gardens.

The Tourism Ministry’s 1Malaysia International Tourism Night Floral Parade, which is being held for the fourth time, will carry the theme “Magic of the Night”.

-NST