Royal botanical garden peradeniya areal view

PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)

Table of Contents

EXTENT OF PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY:147 ACRES (59 HECTARES)

NUMBER OF SPECIES UNDER CULTIVATION AT PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY: ABOVE 4000

THE NUMBER OF ANNUAL VISITORS TO PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY: 1.2 MILLION

ADMINISTRATION: DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS

Peradeniya botanical Peradeniya, better known as Botanical garden Kandyis located near the city of Kandy. Peradeniya botanical garden Kandy is conveniently located on the Kandy-Colombo main road, just a few kilometers from Kandy. Hop on a bus or a taxi, you can easily reach it by public transport or by private transport. If you are on a tight budget and try to be sparse with expenses and use public transportation as much as possible during your Sri Lanka tour, you can add Peradeniya botanical garden to your list of most visited places on the island because it is easy to reach Peradeniya garden by using both public buses and trains.

Kandy is the capital of Sri Lanka’s upcountry. Kandy is full of green and beautiful. It has a fascinating blend of history, culture, nature, and colonial ambiance. If you like to know more information on Kandy click here “KANDY SRI LANKA“.

PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

Peradeniya botanical garden is about 110 kilometers from the Colombo city tour and about 5 kilometers from the city of Kandy. Kandy being a hub of the Sri Lankan road network, the city of Kandy can be reached with ease from any part of the island. Due to the proximity of the Peradeniya botanical garden to Kandy, Peradeniya botanical garden also can be reached with convenience from any part of the island. There are plenty of opportunities to reach Peradeniya through public or private transportation.

TRAVELLING TO PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN FROM KANDY

The Botanical garden is only walking distance away from the Peradeniya railway station and all Colombo-bound buses from Kandy and vice versa make a stop in front of the garden. Having easy access to all transportation methods Peradeniya botanical garden is one of the most important tourist attractions as well as the most convenient place to reach on the island. 

ENTRANCE TO PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

The entry tickets are available at the entrance of the botanical garden and they cost US$10 Per Person. You also receive a map of the garden at the entrance, which is very helpful to find places of importance within the garden.

HOW TO REACH PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN FROM KANDY CITY

It is better to hire a TUK TUK to go to the royal botanical garden from Kandy because it is 5 km away from Kandy. Buses are also available to travel to the Botanical garden from Kandy but required about 30 minutes plus waiting time. By TUK TUK it does not take more than 10 minutes to get there. Don’t forget to hire the TUK TUK only for the drive from one place to the other. Once you reach the place you have to let it go and hire another TUK TUK for the return journey. Don’t keep the TUK TUK waiting it cost you a lot.

Peradeniya botanical garden is a part of every Sri Lanka tour package offered in Sri Lanka. Most foreign and local tourists who visit the city of Kandy is not forgetting to drop into this beautiful botanical garden. Most of them are visiting the park with the intention of learning about the trees and plants, but some are visiting the botanical garden to find a peaceful picnic place or lunch outing spot.

BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY AS A GREEN PICNIK PLACE

Peradeniya botanical garden is picturesquely located adjoining the Mahaweli river, which is the longest river in Sri Lanka. The River flows along with the hugging the western border of the beautiful garden.

Peradeniya botanical garden has become the most popular resting place or picnic park in the area mostly for local travelers.  For many tourists, especially the local tourists, Peradeniya botanical garden is one of the most loved outdoor gathering spots. It gives them the opportunity to learn about trees and plants while enjoying a peaceful gathering.

The great lawn is a popular playground among the children. But do not expect to find covered eating pavilions or gas grills here, which are part of a picnic site, after all, it is a green picnic site created within a botanical garden. Therefore no possibility to prepare food here. The cafeteria near the great lawn provides food and drinks for visitors, but no alcohol is served in the cafeteria.

WEATHER IN PERADENIYA

The botanical garden has a Mediterranean climate mainly due to its elevation from the sea. Another reason for its mild climate condition is the nearness of the Mahaweli river. 

Even though it is not too warm in Peradeniya like most low-land areas such as Colombo, and Bentota, the temperature can hit 25C degrees during the day. Therefore a light cotton dress is the best suitable attire while visiting the park. Taking plenty of fluid is also important while you walk in the park due to sweating.

HOW TO EXPLORE PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

Taking a binocular and appropriate guidebook related to the trees, plants, and birds will be very handy in learning about trees, plants, and various local bird species that you come across in the garden.

THE ORIGIN OF PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

peradeniya garden map

In 1843 the opening of the Royal Botanical Garden Peradeniya was marked by the opening of the South-West portion of the Garden. The southwest part of the garden was cleared, opened, and planted with cinnamon and coffee. Superintendent Moon published his “Catalogue of Ceylon Plants” in 1824 in which was given the Botanical and native names of 1127 plants indigenous to the island.

EXPANSION OF BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

Initially, only 40 acres of the 147 acres were in cultivation and the land was used to grow Jak, Coconut, and vegetables for the Government Agent in Kandy. Later on beauty and the usefulness of the garden considerably improved under British management. In the early years garden was mainly directed towards the introduction and acclimatization of useful and ornamental plants but in later years activities developed towards Economic botany and Agriculture.

There are more than 4000 species of tree and plants including herbal plants, orchids, and palm trees in the Botanical garden. Today Peradeniya botanical garden is wee known around the world for its large collection of orchid species. Peradeniya botanical garden spreads over 146 hectares or 59 acres and shares its border with the Mahaweli river in three directions. One can feel the Mediterranean climate within the botanical garden.

Palms groove, orchid house, plants nursery, bamboo collection, flowering trees, gymnosperms, and great lawn are important specimens in the garden. Peradeniya botanical garden functions as an important repository of tropical plants and trees. It has not only indigenous plants and trees a large number of foreign trees also can be found here.

PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN DURING THE KANDY KINGDOM

botanical garden peradeniya
Peradeniya, the most popular botanical garden in Sri Lanka is part of most Sri Lanka trips such as Sri Lank 5 days trips.

Peradeniya Botanical garden was used as the pleasure garden of the King of the Kandyan kingdom. It was King Wikramabahu who initially kept the court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli River in 1371. The Garden was used as the Royal Pleasure Garden during the reign of King Kirthi Sri.

A temporary residence was erected under King Rajadhi Rajasinghe from 1780 – to 1789. A temple and Dagoba were built during the reign of King Wimala Dharma which was expanded by King Rajadhi Rajasinghe. The vihara and Stupa were destroyed by the English when they occupied Kandy. The famous historical battle of Gannoruwa between Rajasinghe 2 and the Portuguese was fought on the northern side of the river.

BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY DURING THE BRITISH RULE

In 1810 a Garden called Kew garden opened on Slave Island in Colombo. In 1813 the garden was moved to Kalutara for the reception of economic plants which could be cultivated there on a larger scale than was possible at Slave Island. Finally, the garden was moved to the Peradeniya in 1821 as it was found to be favorable and better adapted for the proposed Botanic establishment. The transfer of exotic from the Kalutara Garden was made by Superintends at least up to 1843.

A WALK THROUGH OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

You might need to have about 2-3 hours of walking to explore the botanical garden in detail. But if you can’t afford to spend two hours in the park still you can cover the most important parts of the Peradeniya botanical garden such as palms alley, orchid house, spice corner, bamboo plants, and memorial tree collection, and a great lawn area within 45 minutes.

One might be tempted to gather flowers and plants while walking in the botanical garden, but it is highly advisable to refrain from doing such things because it can be ended with a costly fine. No pets are allowed within the botanical garden. Also, alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited within Peradeniya botanical garden.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES OF THE PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN?

  • Undertake functionalities related to authentication, ethnobotany, and ex-situ conservation of plants.
  • Develop technologies pertaining to the exploitation of lesser-known and underutilized plants.
  • Management and development of Botanic Gardens, national herbarium, and allied units.
  • Disseminate information on plants and related subjects.
  • Providing opportunities to students and visitors to learn about the trees and plants
  • Development of floriculture and amenity horticulture.

WHAT ARE THE 5 MOST IMPORTANT AREAS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN?

There are many botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, out those botanical gardens, Peradeniya botanical garden is the most prominent and most visited botanical garden on the island, the garden is visited by around 2 million visitors a year. Below is a list of 5 popular botanical gardens in Sri Lanka.

  1. Peradeniya botanical garden
  2. Henarathgoda botanical garden
  3. Haggala botanical garden
  4. Wet-zone botanical garden Awissawella
  5. Dry-zone botanical garden Hambantota

12 IMPORTANT PLACES TO VISIT IN THE BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

  1. Orchid house. …
  2. Fernery. …
  3. Great Lawn. ..
  4. Lake. …
  5. Spice garden. …
  6. Flower garden. …
  7. Palm avenues. …
  8. Plant house. …
  9. Bamboo Collection. …
  10. Memorial tree collection. …
  11. Double coconut palms. …
  12. Flowering tree. …

ORCHID HOUSE OF PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN

Orchid house is the most popular area of Peradeniya botanical garden and your visit to the botanical garden is not complete if you miss it. Orchid house showcases a fine collection of orchid species and some of them are very rare species. Species such as the bloom of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda, and their hybrids are well worthy of having look. The largest orchid in the world known as Grammatophyllum speciosum as well as many other hardy tropical orchid species can be seen here.

FERNERY OF BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

Fernery occupies its space next to the flower garden, which is well maintained with landscaping. paved paths to walk around. A large number of lofty trees draped with rising vines and creepers create an environment like in a rainforest. There are about 100 species of ferns in the collection.

GREAT LAWN

The great lawn is to be found near the monumental tree and plants. The great lawn is a flat area with nicely tripped grass. The highlight of the great lawn is the Java Fig Tree (Ficus benjamina ) with widely spread branches, that stands at the center of the great lawn and looks like a giant umbrella from the distance.

THE LAKE

This is a small man-made lake located toward the left side of the main entrance. There is a collection of a different variety of marsh plants in the lake.

SPICE GARDEN

A collection of spices can be seen here. spice garden is located on the right side of the entrance immediately behind it. Several popular spices such as Cardamom, cinnamon, Pepper, and nutmeg with many other various spices can be seen here.

FLOWER GARDEN

Demarcated with a fence and located near the orchid house. A collection of beautiful flowering plants can be seen here. These flowering plants come into bloom at various times of the year, however, most plants produce flowers during the main flowering season (during the first half of the year).

Beautiful peradeniya botanical garden

PALM AVENUES

There are three avenues in the botanical garden that are flanked by different species of palms. One avenue is flanked by Cabbage Palms (Roystonia oleracea), the second avenue is flanked by Palmyrah Palms (Borassus flabellifer) and the third avenue is flanked by Royal Palm (Roystonia regia)

PLANT HOUSE OF BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

The plant house is located between the orchid house and the administrative office of the Peradeniya botanical garden. If you walk in the botanical garden in the clockwise direction, you will come across the spice garden after the plant house. The plant house contains a variety of greenhouse plants such as begonias, Ferns, African violet, Dieffenbachia, Episcia, Philodendron, CalatheaBromelia, and Anthurium.

bAMBOO COLLECTION OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

A large collection of Bamboo trees are planted along the Mahaweli river bank, which is the border of the Botanical garden. The largest bamboo species in the world known as giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) also can be seen here. This bamboo grows up to 40 meters in height and up to 25 centimeters in diameter. Other species of bamboo available here are yellow building bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), the feather–left bamboo (Dendrocalamus membranaceus), the prickly bamboo (Bambusa spinosa) and the Dwarf Chinese bamboo.

MEMORIAL TREE COLLECTION

This is one of the least known parts of the Royal botanical garden among travelers. The history of the memorial tree collection goes back to 1875 with the planting of the Bo-tree (ficus religiosa) by King Edward the 7th on his visit to Sri Lanka. Since then a large number of trees and plants were planted at the memorial tree corner by distinguished personalities from various parts of the world. Today most of these trees stand as big giants in the park.
The last king of the tsar royal family of Russia, Prince Nicolas had planted a Na-tree (Mesua nagasarium) here in 1891. In 1901 king Jorge of British also planted a sal tree in Peradeniya botanical garden. The most popular astronaut Yuri Gagarin had planted a flowering plant at the Botanical garden of Peradeniya in 1961 (in the same year he had been to the moon), which is still flowering today after many years.

Another important tree in the memorial tree collection is the cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis), which was planted by King George V and queen mary in 1901. The tree is well grown and still in very good condition. According to Gadevntures, this is one of the oldest documented trees in the world along with Giant water lilies in Bogor Botanical Gardens in West Java and Wild almonds in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa. The name canon ball tree originated due to its fruits which are big rounded and very similar to cannonballs. The fruits are not edible however they are being used to feed cattle in some areas.

DOUBLE COCONUT PALMS

The number of palm species found in the Peradeniya botanical garden exceeds 200 and most of them are grown in various parts of the island. The Double coconut (Laodicea maldivica) is the most remarkable palm species found in Peradeniya, which originated in Seychelles. Double coconut produces the biggest seed in the plant’s kingdom, weighing up to 18kg. Double coconut palms are to be found flanking the main road, which branches off to the left from the main central drive, about 100 meters from the main gate.

FLOWERING TREES OF BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY

Flowering trees are spreading all over the botanical garden and the flowering trees are lavishly decorating the garden in various colors, most of these plants produce the flowers during the flowering season (the first half of the year). A row of Pride of Burma (Amherstia nobilis) is to be found near the main entrance of the garden, which produces thousands of bright yellow flowers making very beautiful scenery.

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN

Today, the botanical garden is responsible for the management and development of Botanic Gardens, National Herbarium, Medicinal plant garden, Gardens attached to the official residencies of President, Prime minister, Commonwealth war cemeteries, the sacred Bo-Tree at Anuradhapura, and other Historic Trees of Sri Lanka.

peradeniya

DEPLETION OF SRI LANKA’S FOREST COVER

Sri Lanka is a tropical island and renders the best conditions required for tropical trees and plants to grow. Year-round sunlight and high rainfall that spreads throughout the year feed the trees and plants with much-needed water. The green cover of Sri Lanka is drastically reduced during the last several decades. The forest cover that stood at 49% is reduced to around 23% by 2005, mainly due to deforestation. Today much of the valuable forest cover is restricted to national parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and gardens like Peradeniya botanical garden.

One day Kandy tour of seerendipity tours cover Pinnawala elephant orphanage, Peradeniya Botanical garden, tooth relic temple, tea plantations, and several other important places… Please get in touch with us if you wish to take the tour.

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE SEERENDIPITY ON YOUR TRIP TO PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN KANDY?

Serendipity Tour is an entirely locally owned travel company with a head office in Colombo. The highly experienced local staff is a key strength of Serendipity Tours, and they can plan your dream holiday to Sri Lanka.

The best price guaranteed for your Sri Lanka trip

When you book a tour with Serendipity Tours, you directly book the tour with the local company, which means there are no middlemen and therefore you can guarantee the best price. Simply get in touch with us and let us know when you travel and what you like to see.

Plan your best Sri Lanka trip with-expert

Our staff makes a personalised program for you, which you can change until you find the best Sri Lanka trip package for you. Visit www.sirilaktours.com to browse our existing tour packages, which you can customise to meet all your expectations. Write to us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, tel. 0094-77-440977, WhatsApp 0094-77-4440977.

Please support us

We have put a lot of time and effort into compiling this blog post. Please be kind enough to leave your very own comments.

Some other informative web pages on botanical garden Kandy