British Virgin Islands / Special Interests / Flowers & Gardens

By James Henderson

The natural flora of the British Virgin Islands is mainly dry tropical forest, though there are of course areas of mangroves around the shoreline and at the very highest point on Tortola, Mt Sage, there is a cooler, wetter climate, an example of ‘moist forest’. It is a precursor of rainforest, with larger trees and some orchids and bromeliads in the branches. Only a few areas of completely natural vegetation remain because the original forest was cut soon after humans began to inhabit the islands. That said, there are some pretty gardens, both private and around hotels and the public botanical gardens in Road Town.

Tortola

The JR O’Neal Botanical Gardens - Definitely worth a visit if you are walking around town – a calm and very attractive respite from the (relative) hustle and bustle of Road Town. The botanical gardens display indigenous BVI and Caribbean flora, divided into sections either side of a central alley of royal palms. There are areas devoted to orchids, cacti and local herbs, with collections of heliconia and anthuriums and 62 species of palms.

Anegada

Anegada, seemingly mainly base-rock and bush, is an extremely harsh landscape, but so natural and undeveloped that it has recently been the subject of an environmental study by the Darwin Initiative. There is a tiny botanical garden in Anegada, more of an enclosure behind a white picket fence that stops the plants being eaten by the feral animals. Their best known and most delightfully named plant, which is endemic to the island, is an acacia called Poke-me-boy because of its small prickly leaves.

You may also be interested in reading our BVI Eco/Nature section.

Contributor: Jane Anderson (update 2011)

BVI Orange Flower

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Upcoming events

12 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Enjoy a guided walk through the enchanting 50-acre Flower Forest with owner David Spieler. Bagpipes and Celtic dancing at a favourite beauty spot with views to the East Coast and Scotland District. Starts at 11am. Cost US$10/Bds$20.