PESHAWAR  –  As winter tightens its grip on the Peshawar Valley, a burst of colour and fragrance is offering residents a welcome escape from the cold and the city’s growing environmental challenges through Gul-e-Dawoodi exhibitions. The delicate yet bold blooms of Gul-e-Dawoodi (Chry­santhemum) have taken centre stage at winter flower exhibitions at the University of Agriculture and Islmia College University at Peshawar, rekindling memories of the city’s once-celebrated identity as the “City of Flowers.” Organized by the department of horticulture and these universities, the exhibi­tions showcased nearly 30 variet­ies of Gul-e-Dawoodi, along with French and African cultivars of Gul-e-Sadburg (Marigold). The dazzling displays have drawn flower lov­ers, horticulturists, students, and families from across Peshawar and neighbouring districts, turning the university grounds into a vibrant winter festivals. Towering on nearly two-foot-long stems, Gul-e-Dawoodi is known for its extraor­dinarily large blooms and rich pal­ette of colours especially white, yellow, bronze, pink, and deep purple, attracting flowers lovers in droves. A quintessential winter flower, it is prized not only for its beauty but also for its suitability in home décor, its air purifying qualities, and its ability to bring warmth and life to otherwise grey winter days. “The climate and soil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of central Punjab are ideal for growing Gul-e-Dawoodi,” said Dr Abdul Rauf, Director General Agri­culture. “With proper water, light, and care, it thrives remarkably well in this region especially during win­ter due to its suitable weather con­ditions,” he said.