Public Gardens & Avenues

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, as part of its mandate for the continuous maintenance and improvement of gardens in Jamaica commissioned the Public Gardens Division to have direct responsibility for three botanical gardens and two scenic avenues.

Mission

The mission of the Public Gardens Division is to establish and maintain a collection of plants including trees, shrubs, grass, and vines; and to promote the development in plant conservation, research, education and passive recreation.

Jamaica is called the ‘flora paradise’ with its remarkable diversity of species and ecosystems. This ‘lickle but talawah’ island – small but exhibits a large number of endemic plants - boasts some of the most majestic gardens across the Caribbean. The third largest island of the Caribbean has captured the hearts of many researchers who have - but barely - explored its vast flora and natural resources.

The history of Jamaica’s botanical gardens dates back to the 1770’s with the establishment of Mr. Hinton East’s private garden, the Liguanea Garden, that was located near Gordon Town Road in Kingston. However, at a later date, the first public botanical gardens were established by the Government at Bath in St. Thomas.

Other public botanical gardens of interest that were established are Castleton, Hope and Cinchona. Not only can the beauty of Jamaica be explored in its gardens, but its splendor is also exhibited at scenic avenues such as Holland Bamboo Grove and Fern Gully. Within these Gardens, you can find many exotic fruit trees.

These gardens are used regularly for photo shoots and as educational tools to expose students to general gardening and environment conservation practices. Indeed, our gardens and scenic avenues need to be treasured by our Jamaican people, for in them lie a rich legacy of Jamaica. Visitors to these six (6) conservation sites are required to adhere to the rules set out in the Public Gardens (Control) Regulations, 2008.

The Ministry also has oversight responsibility for the Hope Botanical Gardens and Zoo which is being managed, since May 2005, by a non-government organization, Nature Preservation Foundation.The Foundation’s functions comprise improving the aesthetics and biological content of the gardens, with an emphasis on conservation of species endemic to Jamaica. Plans are underway to establish a Plant Conservation Centre, a medicinal grove, a plant nursery and an Orchid House.

Crop management and botanical information can be obtained through the Public Gardens Division on request. Some plants are also available for commercial sale.

The Public Gardens Division is responsible for the maintenance and development of the following Botanical Gardens and Scenic Avenues:-

• Bath Botanical Gardens
• Castleton Botanical Gardens​​
• Cinchona Botanical Gardens
• Fern Gully
• Holland Bamboo

The botanical gardens are open to the public every day at 5:30 a.m., except on two public holidays, namely National Labour Day and National Heroes' Day. Closing hours vary, however.

Closing Hours
6:00 PM - October - February
6:30 PM - March - September