Dubai - Miracle in a garden – is it worth a visit?
U.A.E.
Dubai Miracle Garden - A Floral Oasis in the Desert
When one thinks of Dubai, the first image that comes to mind is its dominating skyline of contemporary architecture or the impressive towering Burj Khalifa. Some might even argue and remember fondly of their shopping expeditions in some of the best shopping places with their malls or souks.
What comes to my mind is the suffocating heat of summer, especially during Ramadan.
Skyline of Dubai
Burj Al Arab
One thing is for certain, hot winds swirling Arabian Desert sand around its skyscrapers and streets hardly conjure a picture of swathes of cool, fragrant or colourful flowers.
In November 2015 I visited Dubai for the second time. I had done my rounds in the malls, admired the structural design of some of the buildings and I had even spent some time on the beach. There was one more mission I had for this trip and that was to see the Miracle Garden.
Although there are pockets of green landscaped oases softening iconic buildings or estates in Dubai, one would never have thought there would be a massive display of delicate, natural flowers, designed into colourful vertical and horizontal shapes of extraordinary stature. Especially not in this scorching climate.
A miracle of beauty surrounds you as you visit Dubai Miracle Garden in Dubailand near Arabian Ranches. It is like walking into a Disney fairy tale, made of flowers. Adults and kids alike take delight in strolling around the displays.
Delightful floral displays are refreshing to look at with opportunities to lose yourself in their heady perfumes.
How can one not enjoy such a spectacle?
Because I have been involved in a few show gardens on display at a nursery, I know what effort goes into making a floral display look stunning.
This certainly is a masterpiece.
Some facts about Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubbed by visitors as a little piece of Eden, this multicoloured garden oasis in the desert was initiated in 2013 on Valentine's Day.
The garden on average features over 250 million plants and 50 to 65 million flowers, depending on the displays that can be a remarkable tall display of 18 meters high, such as the Mickey Mouse flower sculpture.
Of the different varieties of flowers used, 90 % of them are petunias, which give the maximum numbers of colours in the floral kingdom. Furthermore they are relatively drought tolerant. Other species are geraniums, marigolds, snapdragons, coleus and violas.
Covering over 72,000 square metres, this extravagant floral display attracts up to 1.5 million Emirate and international winter tourists.
It has already earned many Guinness World Records including the largest vertical garden, the world’s largest floral display and the world’s tallest and biggest topiary art.
The garden is only open in the cooler months of October or November to April or May. Due to average scorching temperatures of 40 °C + (104 °F) it is not practical to have the display during the summer months of June to September.
The flowers are maintained and irrigated by using treated wastewater through drip irrigation.
The Dubai Miracle garden was awarded the Moselle Award for New Garden Experiences of the year by the Garden Tourism Award in April 2015.
A recent addition is the Butterfly garden with about 26 species and about 15 000 butterflies.
With more than four kilometres of paths to walk on, the Dubai Miracle Gardens will keep you busy for a few hours.
Out of necessity, because the garden is open throughout the day for visitors, a team of gardeners work at night to trim and replant some of the floral themes so the displays can keep their pristine appearance.
Great ways to sightsee in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Accommodation in Dubai
One thing is for certain, the gardens are a natural wonder in the desert world.
Have you seen the Dubai Miracle Garden?
What was your impression of it?
Hot Tip:
As the Dubai Miracle Garden is temporarily closed due to the worldwide Corona pandemic, do check the official website to see when they will open again.
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About the Author
ALMA VAN AS | ROAMING FOX
Alma is a South African travel blogger and writer. She hopes to inspire you with facts and fables about her adventures, road trips and international travel.
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