- Established
- 1848
- Area
- About 22 acres
- Managed by
- Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department
- Ideal time needed
- 2 to 3 hours
- Best time
- April to May for flowers; October to February for fewer crowds
History
The garden began in the colonial period as a kitchen plot growing vegetables and fruit for British officials who spent the summer in the Nilgiris. Over roughly ten years it was reshaped into a proper ornamental garden with collections of native and imported plants, and it has been open to the public ever since. Its best-known event today is the annual flower show held here each May during the summer festival.
What to see
The grounds are split into an upper and a lower part, connected by sloping paths and steps. Look out for these highlights:
- A fossilised tree trunk thought to be around 20 million years old, brought from the fossil park at Tiruvakkarai near Villupuram
- The Italian Garden and the newer garden sections with seasonal flower beds
- The glasshouse and conservatory, with ferns, orchids and potted plants
- Terrace gardens and a nursery where you can buy saplings and seeds
- Bonsai, herbs, shrubs and tall old trees across the lawns
- Toda Mund in the lower section, showing the traditional hut and way of life of the Toda people of the Nilgiris
Best time to visit
The garden is pleasant for most of the year thanks to Ooty's mild climate. April and May bring the most colour and the flower show, but also the biggest crowds. October to February is quieter, with crisp, clear days. Heavy monsoon rain from June to September can make the slopes slippery, so carry an umbrella then.
Tips for your visit
Give yourself at least two to three hours, or half a day if you enjoy plants and photography. Wear comfortable shoes for the slopes, and try to arrive in the morning before tour buses fill the lawns. The garden sits close to the town centre and Charing Cross, so it pairs well with Ooty Lake and the Rose Garden on the same day. We can include it in any Ooty sightseeing plan.
Also nearby
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