Ode to chrysanthemum flower show

As winter settles in, chrysanthemum flower shows across Punjab and the federal capital have turned public parks into seasonal showcases of colour, fragrance, and civic pride, drawing large crowds and underscoring a renewed focus on urban greenery and recreational spaces.

In Lahore, the Annual Chrysanthemum Flower Show 2025 at Jilani Park has emerged as one of the city's biggest public attractions this season.

Organised by the Horticulture Agency Lahore, the 11-day exhibition has already drawn more than 1.5 million visitors, with over 100,000 people attending during the past weekend alone.

Featuring more than 200 varieties of chrysanthemums and thousands of artistically arranged flower pots, the park has been transformed into a serene and visually striking destination for families.

Further south, Multan is preparing to host its annual three-day Chrysanthemum, locally known as Gul-e-Dawoodi, Exhibition from December 23 at Fort Qasim Bagh. The Parks and Horticulture Authority has announced that around 60,000 flowers will be displayed, grown in 15,000 pots across its nurseries. Alongside chrysanthemums, marigolds and other seasonal blooms will also be showcased.

In Islamabad, the seasonal celebration has taken shape through a two-day Chrysanthemum and Autumn Flowers Exhibition at the Gardenia Hub on Park Road. The exhibition features hundreds of thousands of colourful and rare flowers, including chrysanthemums and autumn varieties sourced from across the country, alongside international floral creations and modern-style arrangements. Randhawa described the exhibition as a valuable source of recreation and learning, particularly for younger visitors, and said it marked an important step towards positioning Islamabad as a leading horticultural exhibition destination in the region.

Together, the flower shows in Lahore, Multan, and Islamabad highlight a broader seasonal rhythm in Pakistan's major cities, where horticulture exhibitions have become more than ornamental displays. They now serve as communal spaces for leisure, learning, and civic engagement, reflecting growing public interest in green spaces and the role of urban landscaping in improving quality of life during the winter months.