Ooty Flower Show

The Ooty Flower Show is an annual event which is held in the Ooty Botanical Gardens. Often referred to as ‘The Showstopper of the South’, the Ooty Flower Show has been successfully setting the bar to grasp the global trends in floriculture for the past 123 years.

Their main aim remains to exhibit a rich and varied heritage of flora. This annual event is organised by the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crop under the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Several different species of beautiful flowers, indigenous and exotic are displayed here. The elaborate arrangements add to the beauty of the floral exhibits and serve as a visual treat to gardening aficionados. Apart from flaunting their flora prowess, the Flower Show also focuses on creating awareness among the gardening and farming community by hosting garden competitions before the start of the show.

Ooty Flower Show 2024 - Dates and Duration 

May 17th -22nd, 2024 at Ooty Botanical Garden
The flower show of Ooty is a 5-day event and is usually held in May. It takes visitors at least 4 to 5 hours to cover all the exhibited attractions. However, the ticket that is purchased is valid for the entire day.

Ooty Flower Show - Venue and Architecture

The Flower Show takes place annually in the famed Botanical Gardens of Ooty - the Queen of Hills. William Graham Mc Ivor was the primary architect of these gardens and had trained in the Royal Botanical Gardens of London. The garden is home to around 1000 species of both exotic and indigenous plants, ferns, shrubs, trees, herbal and bonsai plants.

Several accommodation facilities are available, ranging from a single bed in a dormitory to a luxury deluxe suite. The tariffs will vary according to the time of the year, but one can be sure to find suitable accommodation for any budget group.

In case of any queries or information, the Tourist Office of the Government of Tamil Nadu can be contacted. It is located on Wenlock Road (Ooty) and can be reached via a call on 0423 - 2443977.

Entry Fee and Tickets to the Ooty Flower Show

Tickets for the Flower show can be booked online from the horticulture department’s website or taken in person at the counter. However, it is recommended that one book their tickets online owing to the long queues at the venue.

There is a nominal entry fee of 50 INR for adults and 30 INR for children in the age group on 5 to 10 years. In addition, there is a fee of 50 INR for each camera that will be carried and 100 INR for a video camera.

Main Attractions of the Ooty Flower Show

This festival comprises of major exhibitions ranging from music to dance and flowers to fruits, each display throwing light on the culture and lifestyle of Ooty. Close to 10000 flower pots of over 150 types and 52 varieties are put on display. Their several different hues decorate the landscapes of the Botanical Garden. The other major attractions to watch out for on the show days include Indian and Japanese flower arrangements, flower rangoli, vegetable carvings and bonsai among others. Another highlight is the exclusive cut flower stalls from public and private gardens.

History of the Ooty Flower Show

The very first Flower Show was organised by the Nilgiri Agricultural Society, way back in 1896. It was inaugurated by Mr J H Tremenhere, who served as the Collector and Chairman of the Society during that period. The Government of Tamil Nadu acquired the Flower Show in 1980 and also celebrated the centenary in 1995.

How to Reach Botanical Gardens, Ooty

The airport in Coimbatore is the nearest one from Ooty. The Bengaluru airport, which is 295 km away, is connected with most of the cities from all around the world. Several taxi and bus services are available from the airport which can be used to reach Ooty. Mettupalayam is the nearest railway station, which is 40km away. Apart from that, there are several buses which run from all the major cities. Ooty is also well connected by road and hence, taking a taxi would also be a good option.

Once you reach the town of Ooty, it will be quite easy to reach the Government Botanical Gardens. Being a popular tourist attraction, there are several public transport options available, both in the form of buses and auto rickshaws. The roads in the town are generally well maintained and well lit, so opting for a self-driven vehicle could also be a good idea.

One is advised to keep in mind that vehicles are usually stopped 1 km away from the entry to the Botanical Gardens, so be prepared to walk a bit.