Because of its vast open spaces, Islamabad is likely one of the greenest cities in the country, but in the spring the city’s green character is interrupted with bursts of colours in the form of wildflowers, which grow not only on the ground but also on many of the city’s trees.

In addition to the gardens and backyards and Islamabad’s residents, the city’s parks and greenbelts also come alive in the spring due to the varieties of flowers planted by the Capital Development Authority. But what stands out the most during this particular season is the number and variety of Islamabad’s wildflowers.

“Everybody – Mother Nature, the CDA and the residents – have played their roles in giving the city a flowery appearance,” said a CDA environment wing official.

“Contrary to the general habit of citizens across the country, one rarely sees children or adults plucking flowers from greenbelts or private gardens.”

A large number of rare and exotic flowers that were brought to the city by nurseries and diplomats have started to grow alongside the roads, or creeping up electricity poles and trees, as some of these varieties adapt to the city’s conditions and grow naturally.

According to Syed Mustafain Kazmi, the CDA’s former member environment, flowers that grow wildly and widely in the capital are not a natural phenomenon, but the result of guided plantations by the CDA over time.

“Although it may look like wild or natural growth, the CDA has been able to contain and utilise the land for floral growth,” he explained, adding: “However, with the passage of time many plants and trees started reproduction naturally and expanded to several parts of the city.”

The best of example of this practice would be the yellow jasmine, which grows all over the city and is the first flower to bloom at the onset of spring.

In addition to the capital’s quintessential spring flowers, the yellow jasmine and the dandelion, assorted yellow, white and violet flowers can be seen growing abundantly across the capital.

While a number of such flowers are edible, such as dandelions and sumbul, the only ones eaten by locals are the kachnar buds, which children can be seen picking as their parents and siblings guide them along.

Dandelion leaves are also used in cooking by rural residents, although not by the city’s urban dwellers.

The sumbul flower is also believed to be nutritious, but many people remain largely unaware of it as the attractive crimson four-leaved flower usually falls off early in the season.

In addition to the city’s shrubs and plants such as yellow jasmine, trees that grow plums, apricots and other flowering trees also add to the city’s beauty, as these varieties blossom first, after which their leaves germinate as summer approaches.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2018