The garden concept has several uses. In this case we are interested in its meaning as the place where plant species of different kinds are grown , generally with an ornamental intention. Botany , meanwhile, is the science that is responsible for the study of plants .
From these ideas, we can focus on the definition of a botanical garden . This is the name given to the space that is intended for the cultivation of plants with the aim of researching, preserving and disseminating them .
Botanical gardens can be managed by public institutions or private organizations. They are usually open to the public so that people can appreciate their collections of live plants.
Early botanical gardens are believed to have been developed by Muslims in the territory known as Al-Andalus during the 13th century . Modern botanical gardens, meanwhile, would have emerged in Italy in the 16th century .
One of the most important objectives of a botanical garden is the conservation of species , both local and exotic. Specialists seek to create the necessary conditions so that plants can grow, develop and reproduce, something very important especially for varieties that are at risk of extinction.
Botanical gardens also contribute to education . Not only do experts learn through their research and daily work, but also all the people who come to expand their knowledge about vegetables.
A botanical garden, on the other hand, can become a tourist attraction . Many individuals find it interesting to walk through these places full of plants and flowers .
There are many botanical gardens around the world, and each one can offer a different experience thanks to the diversity of species and the way in which they are presented. Let's see below some of the best known internationally.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
It is a space of more than 63 hectares, where we can see a spectacular collection of orchids, with more than three thousand different species. Among its most celebrated routes is the path that passes through a small rainforest. In addition, it has two lakes, in one of which every Sunday the symphony orchestra offers a concert.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom
In everyday speech they are often called by their short form, Kew Gardens . They are located in the southwestern part of London. UNESCO declared them a World Heritage Site since they preserve a high number of species in their 120 hectares of surface. It is important to note that it also functions as a seed bank, and in this aspect it enjoys great importance worldwide. Among its attractions are its library, a large pagoda and its museums.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, South Africa
Its name literally means "botanical garden" in Boer. It is located in Cape Town and extends across 528 hectares, in which it is home to a wide variety of species, both native and non-native. You can see a landscape of dense vegetation on Table Mountain.
Montreal Botanical Garden, Canada
It is located next to the Olympic State and has 73 hectares covered with almost two hundred thousand plants arranged in various gardens and greenhouses. Among the most popular activities at its facilities is the periodic release of monarch butterflies.
Descanso Gardens, in the United States
These gardens are in the State of California, more precisely in the town called Cañada Flintridge, a short distance from Los Angeles. Regarding its dimensions, it is much smaller than the previous ones, since it barely reaches 10 hectares . However, it is not at all negligible: it offers us wild local plants, a camellia forest and a lilac garden, among other collections of great diversity.