PUTRAJAYA: Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah today graced the opening of the Royal Floria Putrajaya 2022 and spent over an hour touring the Anjung Floria Garden which showcases various species and cultivars of flowers and ornamental plants.

Her Majesty's was welcomed on arrival by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim.

In her speech, Tunku Azizah expressed her love for ornamental and vegetable plants and said that tending to the palace garden has been part of her daily activities with the staff at Istana Negara.

"I love flowers and I also planted some vegetables, together with the Istana Negara staff, during the pandemic.

"The vegetable garden is still there, but when I'm busy, the visit (to the garden) becomes less than usual. But I have also asked the staff to plant some flowers too," she said.

Themed Great Floria, the 12th edition of the flower and garden festival is now open to visitors until Sept 4.

First organised in 2007 by the Putrajaya Corporation, Federal Territories Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the festival promised a beautiful experience for visitors as it will present two different scenes during the day and night throughout the seven days of the event.

It will present a flower exhibition during the day and display gardens of lights at night on every main route and area such as the Red Carpet, Oncidium Tunnel, Dendrobium Walk and the Fantasy Park.

In keeping with the selection of orchids as the theme flower, the festival gathers around 10,000 orchids and 400,000 plants of various species.

Also on display is the Keluarga Malaysia Park with a concept adapted through the three values of inclusivity, togetherness and gratitude.

-- BERNAMA