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Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Author Bernard Gagnon.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Royal Botanical Gardens, Sri Lanka

Royal Botanic Gardens are located in the city of Kandy in the central province of Sri Lanka. It is near the Mahaweli River.

The botanical garden occupies an area of approximately 147 acres. It is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Departments of national botanic gardens.

Though the groundwork for the current gardens was laid in 1821 by Alexander Moon, the origins of the Botanic Gardens date as far back as 1371 l. This is when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept the court at Peradeniya near the Mahaweli river.

Royal Botanic Gardens is well established for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants including Palm trees and Spices.

Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya attracts approximately 2 million local and foreign visitors annually.

Let’s look at the top 10 interesting facts about Royal Botanical Gardens

1. The origins of the Botanic Gardens Date as far back as 1371

In 1371, The Royal Botanical Gardens were created after King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept the court at Peradeniya, near the Mahaweli River.

King Kirti Sri, King Rajasinghe and King Vimala Dharma followed the reign and built several structures that were all destroyed during the colonial rule in Kandy. The British laid the groundwork for a botanical garden under the supervision of Alexandar Moon in 1821 for the cultivation of coffee and cinnamon plants.

2. Formally Established in 1843 with Plants Brought From Different Regions

Some of the Exquisite Flowers in Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Author Povindu Chanmith.

The Botanical Garden at Peradeniya was formally established in 1843. Plants were brought from Kew Garden in London, Slave Island, Colombo, and the Kalutara Garden in Kalutara.

It was made more independent and expanded under George Gardner as superintendent in 1844, after which it was controlled by a few superintendents till it was taken under the control of the Department of Agriculture in 1912.

3. The Garden has more than 4000 Species of Plants

The sprawling gardens are inhabited by around 4000 species of plants, trees, herbs, flowers, orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees.

 The extensive collection of fauna is well documented. Moreover, well labelled throughout the park, along with their Scientific names and origins.

4. It is Renowned for its Collection of Orchids

Orchids from the Orchid House at the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Author Michael Shehan Obeysekera.

The orchid house is the most established area of the Royal Botanic Gardens. It showcases a fine collection of orchid species and some of them are rare species.

 Species such as the bloom of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda, and their hybrids are in these Gardens. The largest orchid in the world known as Grammatophyllum speciosum as well as many other hardy tropical orchid species can be seen here.

5. There are Various Avenues Franked by Different Species of Palms

Some of the palm species are found in the Royal botanical garden. Image by Mohamed Nuzrath from

The number of palm species found in the Royal botanical garden exceeds 200. Most of them are grown in various parts. Three avenues are flanked by different species of palms.

One of the avenues has the Cabbage Palms, the Roystoni la Olerecea. The second avenue is flanked by Palmyrah Palms (Borassus flabellifer) and the third avenue has the Royal Palm (Roystonia Regia).

Additionally, the Double coconut (Laodicea maldivica) is the most remarkable palm species found in gardens, which originated in Seychelles. Double coconut produces the biggest seed in the plant’s kingdom, weighing up to 18kg.

6. It Consists of Few Historical Prominent Trees

Royal Botanic Gardens has a few historical prominent trees. These trees were planted by prominent and Honored people in the world.

A massive Ceylon Ironwood tree was planted by Nicholas II in 1894. A big Amherstia was planted by Prince Albert of Belgium. In 1972 a camphor tree was planted by the First female prime minister of Sri Lanka, Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike 1972.

Moreover, a BaikeaInsignis was planted by the High Pontiff of the Muslim Dawoodi Bohra Community, Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) in 1941. In 1981, a Yellow Trumpet tree was planted by Crown Prince Akihito of Japan and his Crown Princess.

Queen Elizabeth also planted the Sorrowless tree plant in the Garden. The garden has a tea plant from China (1824) which is considered the first ever non-commercial tea plant in Sri Lanka.

7. A White-domed Rotunda Commemorates One of the Superintendent

Besides an artificial lake in the gardens, there is a white-domed rotunda. It commemorates George Gardener, the Superintendent of the park from 1844 to 1849.

8. Home to an Institution Responsible for the Authentication of Plants in Sri Lanka

Royal Botanical Gardens, Sri Lanka. Author Ji-Elle.

The National Herbarium museum is located in the Royal Botanical Gardens. It was started in about 1821 by Alexander Moon, who was the director of the Botanical Gardens there.

National Herbarium acts as the leading institution responsible for the authentication of plants in Sri Lanka. Plant exploration, identification, specimen preparation, documentation and revision of floral wealth of the country are the key duties of the herbarium.

Local and foreign researchers are provided with facilities to carry out their research work. The National Herbarium is engaged in the exchange of knowledge and specimen with research institutes around the world.

9. During the Second World the Garden was Used as the Headquarters of the Allied Forces

During World War II, the Botanic Garden was used by Lord Louis Mountbatten. He was the supreme commander of the allied forces in South Asia. The garden was used as the headquarters of the South East Asia Command.

10. It attracts Approximately 2 Million local and Foreign visitors annually

Royal Botanic Gardens is a tourist site. It records approximately 2 million local and foreign visitors.

Visitors get a chance of exploring the various plants in the garden. Also, their many activities for those who find it hard to be on their feet for long. They can also enjoy a tour of the gardens, specifically on golf cats that take you around.

On way out, the visitors can stop by the cafe for a refreshing drink and snack, or browse around in the gift shop to pick up some authentic local Handcrafted souvenirs.