BotanicalGarden Ooty,History,Timing,Address,Contact Number,images,Best time to visit
The Botanical Garden is one of the famous sightseeing spots in Ooty. This 55-hectare garden lies on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak, close to the city centre.
In the 1840’s, the Marquis of Tweedale designed the initial layout of the Garden. Under the guidance of the architect, William Graham McIvor, this Garden was completed by 1848.
The Raj Bhavan and a school, Hebron are located within the premises of the Garden.
Government Botanical Gardens is undoubtedly one of the most sought after tourist attractions not just in Ooty but in the entire Tamil Nadu.
No tourist will leave Ooty without a visit to the well organized, well maintained botanical gardens It is a famous sightseeing place to visit in Ooty.
Maintained by the Horticultural Department of Tamil Nadu, the present day Botanical Gardens is divided into 5 sections.
Fern house with a vast range of ferns
and orchids, are some of the many highlights of this garden.
Lush green, well maintained lawns, rare trees species (like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree-monkeys cannot climb this tree),
The Another main attraction in the Botanical Garden, Ooty is the Fossil Tree trunk which is twenty million years old and the Toda mund or the Toda hill.
A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held as Summer Festival in Ooty every year in month of May, must see if you happen to visit Ooty during that time.
On any day you will find an innumerable number of families just chilling and enjoying the warm sun and children playing around in the gardens.
You are filled with a sense of inner peace when the cool summer breeze caresses your body bringing an unknown vigor within yourself.
It is not an exaggeration if at that very moment you feel like you are in heaven.
Layout of Ooty Botanical Garden :
The Ooty Botanical Garden is meticulously designed into different sections as follows:-
1. Lower Garden: The lower garden is a lush spread of Kikiyu grass embellished with 127 species of ferns along the road leading to Raj Bhavan.
One of the most attractive pieces of garden work here is the carpet-bet design of the map of the Indian Union laid out with assorted plants and the fossil trunk which is a whopping 20 million years old, erected on a platform.
Other tress present here include Hymnosporum flavum, Cordylline australlis, Cedrus deodara, Cupressus funebrils, Araucaria bidwillii, Cupressus macrocarpa, Cryptomeria japonica, Eucalyptus maculate, Eucalyptus citriodora and Quercus grilffithi among others.
2. New Garden: The new garden, as the name suggests, is a newer section of the garden which has a beautiful rose garden with as many as hybrid roses, Floribunda and Polyanthas rose varieties.
FLower beds and carpet bed emblems of the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Government of India are present here as well.
Trees such as Taxodium mucronatum, Pieris ovalifolia, Juniperus virginiana, Eucalyptus eugenoides, Pinus wallichiana, Photinia lindleyana, Pinus canaariensils, Ginkgo biloba, Araucaria cunninghammi and Cupressus lawsoniana are present here in abundance.
A quaint pond with aquatic plant varieties is present here as well.
3. Italian Garden: This part of the garden is called so because it was laid down by Italian prisoners after the World War I, who at that time was shifted to Ooty.
Astres, ageratum, balsam, begonia, petunia, pansy, phlox, cosmos, zinnia and perennial flowers like salvia, delphinium, larkspur, and dahlia are the main attraction in this part of the garden.
These are laid out in typical Italian fashion where the beds surround the central octagonal bystand. A crescent-shaped lake gives way to lotus and other aquatic plants as well.
4. The Conservatory: The conservatory is a public accessible establishment meant for classifying various flowering plants into groups. Cineraria, Schizanthus, Calceolaria,
Balsam, Cyclamen, Gloxinia, Tuberous begonia, Coleus, Geranium, Chrysanthemum, Primulas, Tydea and Achemenes find a place in this conservatory.
5. The Nurseries: Lying about 300 feet above the lower lawns, the Nurseries consist of glass houses and terraces that are meant for the breeding of exotic plants.
Begonias, Ferns, Cacti, Succulents, Orchids and Bulbous plants are the main focus of the nursery, while the terrace is used for growing plants for cut flowers, seed and also for trial purposes.
Flower Show at Ooty Botanical Garden :
Every year in the month of May, a flower show is conducted at the Ooty Botanical Garden that exhibits various flowers along with rare plant species, which is a major attraction of the place.
The celebration is held over a period of two days during which the inauguration of the show is held on the first day while prize distribution takes place on the second day.
The entire garden is decorated with floral arrangements, Indian and Japanese decorations, vegetable carvings, bosai and flower rangolis.
As many as 250 exhibitors including several government departments and voluntary agencies presenting 50 varieties of potted plants,
150 varieties of cut flowers, various kinds of tropical and temperate vegetables and tropical and temperate fruits can be seen during the Flower Show.
Momentos and cash prizes are distributed among the best performers, which adds an edge to the events held here. A garden competition is also held in which Estate Gardens, Private Cottage Gardens, Public Gardens and various other categories of gardens take part.
On an average, about 200 gardens compete in the event. Garden competition is held prior to the flower show and best gardens are awarded prizes and cups.
Best time of the year to visit: April, May & Sept.
Ooty Botanical Gardens Entry Fee :
30 per person for Adults
15 per person for Children
50 for Still Camera
100 for Video Camera
Ooty Botanical Gardens Timings :
All Days Timing -
Ooty Botanical Gardens Phone :
0423 244 2545 ,
Ooty Botanical Gardens Address:
Nilgiris, Vannarapettai, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, 643001, India ,
How To Reach Ooty Botanical Gardens :
Ooty Botanical garden is 2.5 kms away from the Ooty railway station and can be reached by walking/ auto rickshaw you can also take the bus or hire a cab to reach this destination.
Botanical Garden Map :
1. Gate House 2. Fern House 3.Glass House 4.Tissue Culture Lab 5.Centenary Pillar 6. India Map 7. Fossil Tree 8. Lilly Pond 9. Azalea Bed 10. Tamil Nadu Embassies 11. Band Stand 12. Water Cascade 13. Conservatory 14. Beg Garden 15. Sunburn Garden
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