Documentation and establishment of the rose garden at Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad

Introduction

Roses (Rosa spp.), celebrated worldwide as the "Queen of Flowers," hold profound cultural, aesthetic, and economic significance. Their cultivation traces back thousands of years, and ongoing hybridization has produced vast diversity in forms, colors, and survival traits (Pemberton et al., 2018) [11] . This floral variety not only enriches personal gardens but also enhances public spaces, and modern zoological parks have begun to perceive botanical collections as vital components of their missions alongside faunal conservation. The establishment of the Diamond Jubilee Rose Garden at Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) in Hyderabad exemplifies this evolutionary approach. Inaugurated on October 6, 2023, the garden commemorates 60 years of NZP's dedication to biodiversity conservation and public education (Pemberton et al., 2018) [11] . The garden, showcasing an impressive array of 60 different rose varieties, serves as more than a visual attraction; it functions as an interactive living laboratory. The purpose is not merely to beautify the space but to foster understanding of horticulture among the public, promote sustainable gardening practices, and explore innovative methods to achieve self-sustainability through botanical enterprise (Pemberton et al., 2018) [11] . This initiative serves as a bridge connecting professional horticulture with public knowledge, aiming to facilitate a deeper appreciation of rose cultivation and biodiversity conservation (Gagliardi et al., 2020; Pillemer et al., 2016) [6,12] . This paper aims to document the initial collection at the Diamond Jubilee Rose Garden, providing a systematic morphological and phenological inventory.

Materials and Methods

Garden Establishment and Design

The Rose Garden was meticulously designed and established within the NZP grounds on October 6, 2023. The garden has 4 blocks each block comprises about 15 flower beds, each flower bed has 8 plants of a particular species. Surrounding each bed is the lawn for the easy access through the garden. There is a mid-pathway to maintain the garden symmetry. The irrigation system is well established for the maintenance of the garden. The features of the garden are highly attractive with contrasting colours of the roses which is enhancing the aesthetic sense of the observer. www.extensionjournal.com [11] .  Growth Vigor: Subjectively rated from 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent) based on assessment criteria including establishment growth, stem strength, and density of foliage.

 Special Traits: Noted for unique morphological, historical, or performance characteristics relevant to each variety (Pemberton et al., 2018) [11] .

Categorization and Analysis

The varieties were carefully grouped into four blocks during the planting phase based on both aesthetic factors (such as color and form) and horticultural considerations (including flowering time and growth habit). Compiled data were structured into block-wise tables to facilitate clarity and comparative analysis. This systematic approach highlighted the importance of organization in both education and outreach activities concerning horticulture within a zoological park context (Dudo, 2012; Clark et al., 2016) [3,2] .

Results

The garden successfully established 60 distinct rose varieties. The results are presented in four comprehensive tables, one for each garden block.

Discussion

The NZP Rose Garden exemplifies a meticulously curated living collection that extends beyond mere aesthetic appeal to serve as a notable educational resource. By incorporating rose varieties characterized by unique traits and documented vulnerabilities, the garden offers a tangible reference for studying genetic diversity, allowing for exploration of the trade-offs associated with plant breeding (Liang et al., 2017; (Gitonga et al., 2014) [8,7] . The extreme flower diameters noted in cultivars such as 'Anticipation,' which measures up to 15-18 cm, and the diminutive 'Special Friend' at 3-4 cm, exemplify the extensive diversity present within the collection (Rawandoozi et al., 2023) [13] . Petal counts also exhibit significant variation, with some roses like 'Desert Peace' and 'Memorial Day' showcasing 45-50 petals, whereas others, like 'Juantia' and 'Varenna Allen,' contain only 15-20 petals. This contrast not only highlights the ornamental diversity of roses but also serves as a platform for understanding the genetics behind flowering traits (Liang et al., 2017; (Schiffer et al., 2023) [8,14] . Furthermore, growth vigor rates ranging from 1.5 for some varieties to 4.5 for others indicate diverse responses to local climatic and soil conditions, which can provide insights into best practices for horticultural management (Gitonga et al., 2014) [7] . [14,5] . The garden's design is strategically organized into four thematic blocks that integrate aesthetic appeal with educational outcomes, ensuring inclusive accessibility and year-round engagement with botanical diversity. This intentional layout supports NZP's broader conservationeducation mandate, bridging the gap between horticulture and biodiversity stewardship (Sherry et al., 2007; Badeck et al., 2004) [15,1] . Additionally, the model for plant sales and public workshops developed within the garden context offers a promising avenue toward economic sustainability for public gardens, benefiting both the institution and the community it serves (Wolf et al., 2017; Neil & Wu, 2006) [16, 9] . As an essential contribution to local climate research, the garden establishes a phenological baseline that can be referenced in future studies. Subsequent research could focus on longitudinal performance data, assessing visitor educational outcomes, and developing collaborations with academic institutions. These initiatives could enhance the garden's impact as a resource for future research and community engagement. www.extensionjournal.com

Conclusion

The Diamond Jubilee Rose Garden at Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, stands as a multifaceted botanical resource, serving more than a commemorative purpose. It is a functional hub for horticultural education, a conservatory of rose diversity, and a pilot project for sustainable institutional gardening. The comprehensive inventory detailed herein provides a valuable dataset for gardeners, educators, and researchers alike. By effectively integrating aesthetic beauty with scientific documentation and a public mission, NZP successfully enhances the role of zoological parks in promoting holistic environmental conservation and education. Future community engagement and horticultural research initiatives anchored in this garden will continue to celebrate biodiversity across all dimensions.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgmentsThe authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the entire team under garden section of Nehru Zoological Park for setuping rose garden.

References

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