Haven’t you ever wondered about the origin of the plants around us? The Plant Seed Museum offers a fascinating look into the world of botany.
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya is located about 5.5 km to the west of Kandy. It was established in 1821. The Plant Seed Museum is inside the gardens.
More than 4000 species of plants are within the gardens including woody trees Palms Ferns Orchids and shrubs. The garden covers 61.25 ha. That is about 1550ft from sea level.
The Royal Botanic Gardens dates back to 1371. King Wickramabahu iii kept court at Peradeniya. From 1747 to 1780 King Kirti Sri made this a Royal Garden. King Rajadhi Rajasirighe resided here from 1780 to 1798. A temporary residence was built for him.
A vihare and dagoba were built. King Wimala Dharma improved them. The English destroyed them when they occupied Kandy.
Mr. Alexandar Moon formed the Gardens in 1821. This was six years after the final conquest of the Kandyan Kingdom. In 1810 a garden named Kew was opened in Slave island. Mr. William Kerr was appointed as its Superintendent.
In 1813 the garden moved to Kalutara. This was for economic plants. They could be cultivated there on a larger scale than was possible at Slave Island.
Kerr died in 1814. Mr. Alexander Moon moved this Garden to Peradeniya in 1821. The transfer of exotics from the Kalutara Garden was made by successive Superintendents at least up to 1843.
During Moon’s time the Royal Botanic Gardens commenced. Only the South West portion of the Gardens was cleared and opened at first. It was mostly planted with cinnamon and coffee. Moon published his Catalogue of Ceylon Plants in 1824.
Mr. George Gardner was appointed in 1844. Only 40 acres of the 147 acres were in cultivation. The chief use made of the land was to grow jak coconuts and vegetables for sale. Gardner improved the Gardens. His chief work was the exploration of the country. He collected and prepared its flora.
Dr. Thwaites succeeded him. He maintained the Gardens in a high state of efficiency for over 30 years. He added largely to our knowledge of the flora of the Colony.
Botanic Gardens at Hakgala was established in 1861. It was for introduction of Cinchona into the island. In 1876 Gampaha (Henarathgoda) botanic garden was started. It was for the introduction of Rubber.
Dr. Henry Trimen succeeded Thwaites. He advanced the beauty and usefulness of the Gardens. He established the Museum of Economic Botany.
In the early years work was mainly directed towards the introduction and acclimatization of useful and ornamental plants. In later years activities developed towards Economic botany and Agriculture.
Mr. HF Macmillan was made the Superintendent of Botanic Gardens in 1912. During Macmillan’s time the Gardens were improved and extended.
Mr. D.M.A. Jayaweera contributed to our knowledge on medicinal plants and orchids of Sri Lanka. Mr. D.T. Ekanayake pioneered the floriculture in Sri Lanka.
Today the Botanic Gardens manages Botanic Gardens National Herbarium and Medicinal Plant Gardens. It also oversees Gardens attached to the Official residences and Offices.
The objectives of Royal Botanic Gardens are to carryout activities related to authentication ethno botany and ex-situ conservation of plants. They also develop technologies related to exploitation of lesser known and under-utilized plants.
The Royal Botanic Gardens has over 4000 species under cultivation. It has 1.2 million annual visitors.
Come explore the Plant Seed Museum. Discover the hidden secrets of the plant kingdom.