In the twenty-first century, there are over 1700 botanical gardens around the world that span over hundreds of countries. Millions of people have visited these sites that each hold their own unique significance. Many times myself, I’ve strolled through the tranquil oasis of my local botanical garden. Lush, well cared for flora and vibrant-colored terraces provide the perfect opportunity for leisure on a sunny spring day. At the roots of many similar gardens around the world, shockingly, is a history of colonialism and imperialism that forever changed many native environments.
The creation of botanical gardens around the world has led to more knowledge surrounding the topics of botany and horticulture, which has also led to improvements in the agricultural world and with medicine. Botanical gardens don’t have a specific origin story; however, it is said to be related to the Chinese from over a thousand years ago where they had herb gardens and cultivated plants collected from faraway places. Over time, bigger collections were desired, and collectors participated in voyages across the globe that were funded by academics or governments.
One of the most famous botanical gardens in the world, the British Royal Botanic Gardens, is a good example. It’s acclaimed as “the most biodiverse place on earth.” For botanical enthusiasts, these gardens are no doubt a must-see. You can travel through biomes in a way that’s seemingly impossible. Their Princess of Wales Conservatory features plant life ranging from cacti from the arid deserts of the world to a variety of tropical species from the Caribbean. The plants in botanical gardens around the world were meticulously cultivated for collection and shipped to the royal gardens at Kew.
As a result, an imbalance came about. Britain claimed economic and academic benefits of the botanical gardens while the countries where they were located experienced major environmental decline. In Barbados and Jamaica, deforestation became a serious issue. This heavy practice put a lot of strain on native species which caused other issues like soil erosion and famine. Not a lot of money was put toward preserving the environment, and there was ongoing political instability that affected generations.
So—how can you get involved?
Already, many are calling for the decolonization of these botanical gardens. It’s up to us to learn about and recognize the history of some of the botanical gardens in the world. In a 2021 editorial, The Guardian encourages readers to acknowledge botanical gardens as “inextricably linked to empire.” So, if you want to be involved in the future of botanic gardens—one where we can embrace the history that they come with, we encourage you to investigate more about this link.
Also, here in Tallwood, there are many opportunities to get involved with nature. Ms. Fail, sponsor of our school’s Garden Club, has a lot to say about it. “We teach kids about how to plant things, how to keep them alive, and how to harvest things. We talk about forging a little bit as well,” she says. She really wants more people to get involved in order to make this club more popular in the school. She did clarify; however, that the club hasn’t done much this school year. This may be our chance for its revival arc! If you find yourself interested in joining, just stop by her classroom, and let her know!
There are many renowned botanical gardens all over the world, both from the present and from the past. Not only do they have significant and intricate history, but they also continue to have major influence today. Do you feel like you may be missing out on these great bits of history? Well, there’s an opportunity to look into some local history yourself! At the Norfolk Botanical Garden there is an event being held Friday, June 26, 2026, from 10 am to 12 pm, where you’ll be able to learn about the history of the “indigenous gardens” in America. Hopefully you’re able to explore beautiful ecosystems, whilst also learning the important deep-rooted history of the Americas.
