HOPE GARDENS JAMAICA

When did this lovely garden established? Well it was in 1873 History: In 1881, two hundred (200) acres of Hope Estate was purchased by the Government to establish an experimental garden. Fifty (50) acres of the land was devoted to the development and distribution of new varieties of sugar cane, and ten (10) acres for planting teak, Liberian Coffee
The Royal Botanical Gardens, commonly called "Hope Gardens", occupies 200 acres of land in the Ligunaea Plains of urban St Andrew. The gardens were established in 1873 on a section of land from the estate of Major Richard Hope, one of the original English colonisers who arrived with the invading force of Penn and Venables.

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Local Flavour: 
Most of the plants and trees, particularly the mango and various spice species found here and in the gardens at Bath, originally came from a captured French ship on its way from Mauritius to Hispaniola in 1782. It is still highly unclear as to where exactly the plants went, but we do know that the Receiver General, one Mr Hinton East, owned and operated a garden near to the gardens at Hope. Since all cargo entering the country had to pass through his hands and be cleared by his office, it is not surprising that years after the fact, the whole collection was deposited in Mr East's garden which later was transplanted to the Hope Estate.

If you're looking to have a peaceful day without leaving Kingston, Hope Botanical Gardens and Zoo is the place for you.
The Hope Botanical Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanical Gardens

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Famous For: 
There are many rare and beautiful species of tropical plants and trees at the Royal Botanical Gardens, including the Hibiscus elatus (blue mahoe), the national tree of Jamaica. Blue mahoe is a small spreading tree with flowers that open in primrose colour in the morning and change to orange and deep red as the day advances.

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The northern end of the Gardens houses the Hope Zoo, which showcases a wide variety of local and foreign animals. The last I checked, there was easily 40 different types of animals, and the grounds were extremely well kept.

It is currently the largest botanical gardens in the Caribbean.

The Gardens and Zoo are located on Old Hope Rd., which is about 30 minutes from the Norman Manley International Airport, and a few minutes drive from the University of the West Indies. The area is known for having some of the most productive soil in the country, but unfortunately, this area has been used for mostly residential and commercial development.

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At the north end of the gardens, there is a large beautiful lake with a restored ancient bridge over it. This lake is filled with water lilies and other stunning water plants.
Just above that, there's a small amphitheater stage that hosts local cultural events. This stage has hosted Jamaican cultural greats such as Louise Bennett-Coverley and Damian ‘Jr. Gong' Marley, who performed there as a child.

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Towards the center of the gardens, there is an interesting natural maze. The walls of this maze are made by shrubs that were planted and groomed into this puzzle design. As a child, I had endless fun trying to find my way out.

Today the gardens are the largest public green space in the Kingston metropolitan region, and are home to Jamaica's most popular collection of endemic and exotic botanical collections. Of particular interest is the Cassia siamea grove by the main entrance, which was planted in 1907, and the other mini-gardens within the park - notably the cacti garden, with its rare varietals; the bougainvillea walk with its magnificent explosions of tropical colours; the annual gardens, with numerous species of exotic flowers; the sunken gardens and the lily pond.