Botanical Gardens
In
1845, European residents of the Nilgiris joined to have co-operative arrangement
for vegetables production in the site of the present Botanical Gardens.
Early in 1847, at the initiation of MARQUIS TWEEDALE, the then Governor
of Madras, a fund was raised by donations to start a public garden and
from a Horticultural Society. Shortly after the formation of the Society,
its committee requested the State to provide a practical gardener from
the State fund and in response to this request, Mr. Mc. Ivor took over
charges of what was then a patch of vegetable garden, the upper portion
of the garden area was in the wilderness of natural shola and shrubs and
the lower part a swamp, tracersed by steep slopes into walks and terraces,
lawns and flower beds for growing choicest selection of plants. He improvised
ways and means by which he could reclaim the lower part part of the gaeden
and converted into undulating and sloping lawns with pockets of ponds leaving
a convenient places to add charm to the landscape.
Mr.
Mc. Ivor completed the layout during the year 1857-1867. He adopted Lindley's
natural system in laying out this garden, particularly on the upper poryions.
In subsequent years various improvements were carried out by successive
curators. The gardens lie in a beautiful ravine adjacent to Raj Bhavan
in a nook but not far off from the town and is easily accessible to the
visitors. It covers an area of 22 hectares, ascending the slopes on the
hill at an elevation of 2400-2500 metres M.S.L.
The
garden enjoys a warm teperate climate, with an average rainfall of
140 cms most of which is received during south-west monsoon, with frosty
nights from November to Febuary. the maximum and minimum temperatures are
28 o C and 0 oC respectively.
Features:
The garden is divided into six diierent sections:
I. The lower garden
II. The new garden
III. The Italian garden
IV. The Conservatory
V. The fountain terrace
VI. The nurseries
Microcell, 5 B Koshy Building,
Mount Road, Coonoor-2
Email : [email protected]
Phone -33123, 30349.
Mobile - 9843032012 .