The Royal Botanical Gardens

Most of the plants and trees, particularly the mango and various spice species found here and in the gardens at Bath, originally came from a captured French ship on its way from Mauritius to Hispaniola in 1782. It is still highly unclear as to where exactly the plants went, but we do know that the Receiver General, one Mr. Hinton East, owned and operated a garden near to the gardens at Hope. Since all cargo entering the country had to pass through his hands and be cleared by his office, it is not surprising that years after the fact, the whole collection was deposited in Mr. East's garden which later was transplanted to the Hope Estate.

Famous For: 

There are many rare and beautiful species of tropical plants and trees at the Royal Botanical Gardens, including the Hibiscus, (blue mahoe) the national tree of Jamaica. Blue mahoe is a small spreading tree with flowers that open in primrose color in the morning and change to orange and deep red as the day advances.

Don't Miss:

The Amphitheatre, where the Honorable  "Miss Lou" Louise Bennett-Coverly, a famous Jamaican folklorist, poet and storyteller, used to hold Saturday morning tapings of her famous TV show, Ring Ding. She occasionally hosts band concerts by the Jamaica Military Band and poetry readings.