Roseau Botanic Gardens is a green, shaded park in the middle of Dominica’s capital, and it is one of the easiest places on the island to see plants, lizards and hummingbirds in an hour. The gardens were planned in the late 1800s, were badly damaged by a hurricane in 1979 and now work as a public park, a cultural venue and a conservation base.
This guide covers the history, what to look for and how to fit the gardens into a day. It pairs with our places to go page.
What is the history of the Roseau Botanic Gardens?
The Crown Government began planning the gardens in 1889, with the goal of encouraging crop diversification and giving farmers correctly propagated seedlings. The 16 hectares of land, formerly a sugar plantation, were bought from the owner in 1891, and planting began in 1890. By the 1930s they were known as among the finest botanical gardens in the West Indies. Hurricane David in 1979 destroyed many of the old trees, and one of them, a giant African baobab, fell and crushed an empty school bus. Tree and bus remain in the gardens as a reminder.
Roseau Botanic Gardens at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | 16 hectares |
| Planting began | 1890 |
| National tree and flower | Bois kwaib (Sabinea carinalis) |
| Noted specimens | Cannonball tree, banyan, century palm, ylang ylang |
| Wildlife | Dominican anole, Dominican ground lizard, three hummingbird species |
| Trail | Jack’s Walk, a 15-minute steep climb to the top of Morne Bruce |
What can you see in the gardens?
Look for the national tree and flower, the bois kwaib, alongside the cannonball tree, banyan, century palm and ylang ylang. The two endemic lizards, the Dominican ground lizard and the Dominican anole, are common on the grounds. Hummingbirds, carib grackles and the green heron are frequent visitors, and flowering shrubs such as allamanda add colour.
Why do the gardens matter beyond tourism?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry maintains laboratories here for conservation research. The Parrot Conservation and Research Centre focuses on protecting the two endemic parrots, the Jaco and the Sisserou. A molecular diagnostic laboratory was established to study the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, a threat to the mountain chicken frog. The gardens have also long been a venue for cricket, state parades and, in the last week of October, the four-day Creole in the Park event during the World Creole Music Festival.
How do you visit the Botanic Gardens?
The gardens sit just east of downtown Roseau, an easy walk or short taxi ride from the centre. Jack’s Walk begins inside the gardens and climbs Morne Bruce for a view over Roseau and the Caribbean Sea; Wikipedia calls it a steep 15-minute climb, while Wikivoyage estimates around 40 minutes one-way for a novice hiker, so allow generous time and wear sturdy shoes. Check opening hours before you go. If you arrive by ship, read our Roseau cruise port guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are in Roseau, the capital of Dominica, just east of downtown, and are one of the few open spaces remaining in the city. They are an easy walk or short taxi ride from the centre, so they fit well into a half-day in town.
A giant African baobab fell during Hurricane David in 1979 and crushed an empty school bus. Both remain in the gardens as a relic of the hurricane’s destruction, and the pair has become one of the most photographed and talked-about sights on the grounds.
The gardens host the Parrot Conservation and Research Centre, which works to protect the Jaco and the Sisserou. Wild parrots are more likely in the mountain forests, so use the gardens to learn about the birds and then visit their habitat with a guide.
It is a steep climb to the top of Morne Bruce. Wikipedia describes it as about 15 minutes, while Wikivoyage suggests around 40 minutes one-way for a novice, so allow generous time, carry water and wear shoes with grip, especially after rain.
For more Dominica island guides, visit the journal.
How we prepared this guide: Main sources: Dominica Botanic Gardens. The history and features come from Wikipedia’s article on the Dominica Botanic Gardens, with walking times from Wikivoyage. We list no prices or opening times; check locally. Photographs are from Wikimedia Commons; see our photo credits.
