Parks and Gardens in Jamaica

[Tropicana]

Perhaps this will be more palatable.

Jamaica has a number of botanical gardens used mainly for recreational and educational purposes. There are also a number of parks named in honour of renowned individuals. The National Heroes Park in Kingston is of particular importance as it was established to honour the nation's heroes.

Botanical Gardens

Botanical gardens are usually of two types. There are those which are primarily scientific or horticultural institutions. These are isolated gardens or adjunct to universities or government institutions. These usually include the plants, libraries herbarbian, and laboratory facilities which are necessary for research and practical experimentation in horticultural sciences.

• Bath Botanic Gardens - established in 1779 as a result of a statute of the Jamaica House of Assembly.
• Blue Mountains - Blue Mountain Peak is the highest point in Jamaica at 2,255.8metres (7402 feet).
• Castleton Botanical Gardens - located on either side of the Kingston to St. Mary main road, since 1862.
• Cinchona Botanical Gardens - At an altitude of between 4,500 and 5,500 ft. in the hills of St. Andrew.
• Clydesdale National Forest Park - located in the hills of the Blue Mountain range.
• Hollywell National Park - located in the hills of St. Andrew, about four thousand (4000) ft. above sea level.
• Hope Botanical Gardens - In 1881, 200 acres of Hope Estate was purchased by the Government to establish an experimental garden.

I like Turtle River formerly called The Enchanted Garden.

What are your favourite Jamaican gardens? Perhaps you might share some photos or videos of your favourite gardens in Jamaica.

[SandiF]

My uncle Melvin, old time bush man, originally from the Blue Mountains of Portland, he maintains one of the best tropical gardens I've seen. A myriad of orchids, bromeliads, drachaneas, different variety of taros. If you want the best otahiti apples during April to May his place.. My sister and I I made a trip home to JA during apple season just to visit him and spend days gorging ourselves on otahiti apples and then in the evening going on long runs in the high mountains. He showed me how to plant yam. St Vincent yam, yellow yam, renta yam (my fav). Matter of fact, the first banana plant in my backyard of 5 years ago was a young banana shoot from his yard. Going 5 years now and that banana plant has reproduced and at least 8 people in my area have gotten shoots off the original plant which they are still growing good and healthy.

I like his garden...its a rugged landscape with some of the most unusual plants that I've seen, especially the orchids. Will try to dig up some pics. My uncle has recently gone blind in both eyes... glaucoma. Still strong as an ox and still spend days (no longer weeks lol!) in the wild bushes of the Blue Mountain.