APART from some other things, Sri Lanka is famous for its many rare species of flora and fauna. In this regard, it would be interesting to know that the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kandy has the best collection of plants in Sri Lanka.
Before exploring this visual treat, let’s go back into the history of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which dates as far back as 1371 when King Wikcramabahu III ascended the throne. Later, during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasingha, from 1747 to 1780, it was made into a royal garden. Six years later, after the final conquest of the Kandyan Kingdom, the gardens were constructed by Mr Alexander Moon.
Today, the Royal Botanic Gardens occupy a horse-shoe-shaped peninsula around which flows the chief river of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli. The entrance is on the Colombo Road, around four miles from Kandy. The total area of the gardens is 147 acres containing about 4,000 different species. The elevation above sea level is about 1,600 feet.
Now let’s see what the spectacular garden has for the lovers of flora and fauna.
Orchid House: The Orchid House offers the visitors a captivating display of exotic blooms of cattleya, dendrobium, arachnis, oncidium, phalaenopsis, vandal and their hybrids. Around the Orchid House visitors may come across several hardy tropical orchids including the largest orchid in the world (Grammatophyllum Speciosum) which produces 2.5m-long flower spikes.
Flower Garden: The Flower Garden near the Orchid House is laid out with beds of flowering annual and perennials. The most striking feature here is the ribbon border of showy coleus varieties traversed by a path which leads into an octagonal conservatory. Here may be found a collection of shade-loving plants.
Fernery: Adjoining the Flower Garden is the Fernery. It is beautifully landscaped with intersecting paths and is well shaded by lofty trees draped with climbing vines and creepers. The fern collection includes about 100 indigenous and exotic species.
Great Lawn: Close to the Monument Road is the Great Lawn. The most unique feature here is the Java Willow or Java Fig Tree which occupies the centre of the lawn like a giant living umbrella. The ground covered by its enormous spread is about 1,800sq.m.
The Lake: The Lake is situated in South Drive to the left of the main entrance. The margin of the Lake is planted with marsh plants. The most noteworthy is Papyrus of the Nile.
Spice Garden: The shady Spice Garden situated on the right of the main entrance has a representative selection including cinnamon, the main spice exported from the country, pepper; the most demanded spice in the world, cardamom; and nutmeg. Some of the oldest nutmeg trees planted in 1840 are still in full bearing.
Double Coconut Palms: There are over 200 species of palms in the gardens. The most remarkable among these is the Double Coconut from the Seychelles. This palm produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom. The fruits take five years to mature. These palms may be seen flanking the Monument Road, which branches off to the left from the Main Central Drive, about 100m from the main entrance.
Flowering Trees and the Arboretum: The most spectacular of the gardens are the Flowering Trees which come into bloom at various times with peak blooming during the first half of the year. Amhersita Nobilis, popularly know as the pride of Burma, is the finest and a row of this has been planted at the main entrance. An extensive arboretum contains approximately 10,000 trees. Some of these trees are magnificent specimens which are over 100 years old. Among them are many tropical timber trees such as Satinwood and Mahogany.
Bamboo Collection: The bamboo collection is along the river drive to the right of the Lake. The giant bamboo of Burma is the largest known in the world. The stems attain a height of 30-40m and up to 20-25cm in diameter. The average growth rate of new shoots is about 30cm a day. Others are the yellow building bamboo, the feather-leaved bamboo, the prickly bamboo and the dwarf Chinese bamboo.
Plant House and Cacti: Near the Orchid House is a small plant house containing a variety of green house plants such as ferns, begonias, African violets and others. A collection of cacti xerophytic plants — over 800 specimens — is exhibited in the nearby cactus house. They include aloes, agaves, opuntia, cereus, rebutia etc.
Palm Avenues: There are three magnificent palm avenues. The palms in this avenue are over 21m in height; the Palmyra Palm Avenue joins the Flower Garden with river drive and the royal palm avenue along the main central drive.
Besides the above-mentioned major attractions there is another very motivating spot, the Suspension Bridge, which gives you an unusual fun of crossing the river.
Since the area is extremely large there are a couple of food centres and a lot of toilets at different places. Although the food is very expensive, one has to eat something because one cannot go through this giant garden in just a few hours with an empty belly — one needs a whole day for the journey.
APART from some other things, Sri Lanka is famous for its many rare species of flora and fauna. In this regard, it would be interesting to know that the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kandy has the best collection of plants in Sri Lanka.
