Joanna James
As a tropical country, Sri Lanka is home to many varieties of breathtaking flowers, trees and plants that are housed in its botanical gardens. Let's look at some of these gardens.
The Peradeniya Botanical Garden is Sri Lanka's largest and most popular garden. It's spread out across a spacious area of 60 hectares and requires plenty of time for it to be properly explored. The garden is home to over 4000 species of plants and over 10,000 trees. Many visit the garden to marvel at its highlight trees. You'll come across mature, giant tropical timber trees that are just marvellous to witness. Another highlight is the Giant Bamboo of Burma which is capable of growing to 40 meters in height with a stem diameter of 25 centimetres. The century-old giant Javan fig tree is another sublime attraction. It's tentacle-like roots spread all across a gigantic area of over 19,000 square feet. The garden is also home to over 200 types of palms, one of which is the Double Coconut Palm that originates from Seychelles. You'll see all of Sri Lanka's flora and fauna as well as species from all around the tropical world. Icons like Queen Elizabeth ll, Yuri Gagarin and Marshal Tito have visited the garden and planted trees to mark their visit.
Nestled in the shadow of the Hakgala Rock is the Hakgala Botanical Garden, across 28 hectares. It is located 10 kilometres south of Nuwara Eliya. The biggest draws to this garden are its rose garden, indoor plants, flowers and magnificent trees. You'll witness over 10,000 species of flora planted here. Ideally, to be visited during the spring season in Nuwara Eliya, you'll find thousands of visitors who make their way here to witness the blooms. There lies a forest trail above the gardens that leads into virgin woodland which is home to a whole troop of purple-faced leaf monkeys, a species that is endemic to Sri Lanka. You'll also witness some endemic bird species here such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka white eye and the Sri Lanka whistling thrush. Most Sri Lanka travel agencies offer packages and tours across excursions to witness the beauty of the island, so you'll have plenty to choose from like Aitken Spence Travels for example.
Opened all the way back in 1876, the Henarathgoda Botanical Garden is located in close proximity to the Gampaha Municipality. The surrounding area is home to many beautiful paddy fields, water streams, a man-made green area as well as a secondary forest. The garden also houses the first imported rubber tree, which makes it a significant place that carries a historical link to the evolution of the country's economy. You'll be able to witness an impressive collection of tropical flower plants all the while showcasing gorgeous landscape that is breathtakingly designed.
A relatively new addition, the Mirijjawila Botanical Garden was opened in 2013. It is the country's first botanical garden established in the dry zone. With a massive space of 300 acres, the primary mission in the creation of this garden has been for the conservation of many shrubs and dwindling trees in the area as well as the conservation of many medicinal herbs.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
