The nip in the air has brightened up Ranchi's nurseries, which are busy selling seasonal flowers.
Nurseries are flooded with roses, marigolds, daisies, costly orchids, lilies, petunias, adenium (desert rose) bonsai and anthurium, among others. Most of these have been brought from Pune, Bangalore and parts of Bengal.
Nursery owners said yellow and orange marigolds had emerged as the top picks so far as customers were buying them to use in Pujas during Diwali and Chhath.
For rose lovers, here is a rare one. Nurseries are selling abracadabra roses that are deep red, some are almost black, with sun yellow stripes radiating from the centre. The exotic variety has been purchased from Bengal's Kharagpur and is priced at Rs 60 per plant.
"These roses do not have thorns. Abracadabra roses are in demand as they are perfect for home décor and will also add a colourful, classy touch to home gardens," said Amarjeet Singh, a nursery owner at Kutchery.
Singh has also stocked daisies, which are priced at Rs 30 per piece.
"I am also selling lilies, which are available in six colours, and cost of per plant is Rs 100," he said, adding that red anthuriums were available at Rs 400 and could be grown in controlled temperature and sunlight.
Purple orchids, purchased from Pune and which cost Rs 1,399, seem to be the most expensive ones.
"We have brought 12 pieces of orchid. The flower is grown once a year during winters. So far, we have only sold two pieces," said Ranjit Kumar, another nursery owner.
Pintu Kumar, owner of another nursery, said he was selling anthuriums at a price ranging anything between Rs 250 and Rs 400. "I have purchased 20 of these from Pune. They can be grown indoors and are much sought-after among the customers, who want to decorate their homes," he added.
Adenium bonsai, which has been purchased from Bangalore, costs Rs 70 while a rare variety of another seasonal flower brought from Bengal, which can survive without water for almost 15 days, is available at Rs 100.
Customers are more than happy to loosen their purse strings and decorate their homes with vivid hues of flowers.
Homemaker U.S. Sinha, a resident of Piska More, said she had purchased anthuriums and marigolds for her garden. "I have also purchased bright and lively petunias for my garden. These winter flowers will enhance the beauty of my garden," she said.