Andromeda Botanic Gardens: A Living Legacy
By Rekke Editorial
Described by a Royal Horticultural Society judge as “one of the most unique and outstanding gardens in the world,” Andromeda Botanic Gardens is widely regarded as the original garden of Barbados. Perched on a hillside overlooking the Atlantic, its carefully layered spaces reveal a living collection of more than 600 plant species, arranged across roughly twenty interconnected gardens. Every path, canopy, and flowering bed has been deliberately shaped, yet the effect is entirely natural.
Creating A Botanical Legacy
Andromeda was created in the 1950s by Iris Bannochie, a pioneering Barbadian horticulturist who transformed sugar cane land into a private botanical sanctuary. At a time when the island’s landscape was largely defined by plantation agriculture, her vision introduced an enduring narrative of cultivation, conservation, and design. Over the decades, the gardens have earned international recognition, including three Gold Medals at the Chelsea Flower Show, and today stand as the only RHS Partner Garden in the West Indies.
Stewardship and Legacy
The gardens are now owned and guided by Sharon Cooke, a British-Barbadian whose passion for Andromeda extends beyond preservation. She has dedicated herself to protecting Iris Bannochie’s legacy while enhancing Barbados’ biodiversity — both plant and wildlife. Sharon’s vision includes community inclusion and storytelling: she ensures visitors encounter not only beauty, but the rich heritage of Bajan plants and the cultural narratives they carry.
Continuing this commitment, Sharon is launching an African Connections Garden, designed to celebrate the island’s ancestral heritage through the plants that connect Barbados to Africa. This new garden will complement Andromeda’s living collections, highlighting botanical histories and the enduring cultural links between continents.
Trying Times
The past few years have tested Andromeda’s resilience. During the 2020 global pandemic, the gardens were forced to close for extended periods, reopening in August with free access for locals. The gesture was met with an outpouring of support: residents visited in droves, donated generously, and helped sustain the gardens through uncertain times.
Challenges continued into 2021. The island faced volcanic ash, an unusual storm, a hurricane, and ongoing COVID-related staff absences, resulting in further closures. Over eighteen weeks, the gardens relied on the generosity of local patrons, overseas supporters, and volunteers. Their contributions ensured that Andromeda not only survived but emerged stronger, reaffirming its role as a shared cultural and botanical sanctuary.
Through these trials, Sharon’s stewardship proved decisive, guiding the gardens with a focus on conservation, community inclusion, and the preservation of Iris Bannochie’s legacy.
Exploring Andromeda
Andromeda Botanic Gardens offers a rich variety of experiences for both visitors and locals. Far more than a traditional garden, it invites exploration through guided tours, wildlife observation, and courses in garden design, colour, and plant stewardship. Visitors can move at their own pace, discovering intimate corners, broad garden rooms, and scenic viewpoints, all while enjoying carefully curated biodiversity. At the same time, careful attention is given to accessibility, ensuring that as many visitors as possible can enjoy the gardens’ beauty and educational offerings.
Its living collections support research, conservation, education, and display, in line with the International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation. The gardens seamlessly combine pleasure and purpose, providing both moments of contemplation and engaging learning experiences for every visitor.
Medicinal Plants
Ethnobotanical sections reveal plants historically used by Barbadian communities. Plantain, once used for eye infections; pigeon peas, for stomach issues; and Spanish needles, as a wound healer — each tells a story of local ingenuity and heritage, connecting visitors with the island’s botanical past.
Butterflies & Wildlife
The gardens are alive with pollinators and butterflies. Milkweed, celosia, and zinnia attract monarchs, buckeye, gulf fritillary, and the rare gold-rimmed swallowtail. Birds and small wildlife contribute to a rich sensory experience, creating a garden that is as vibrant and dynamic as it is contemplative.
Tours & Activities
Visitors can explore independently or join guided tours that delve into horticulture, heritage, and plant stories unique to Barbados. Wellness sessions include yoga and art in the gardens, while seasonal courses cover design, colour, and planting. Local partners further enrich the experience: Motions of Clay offers popular pottery-making classes, while on the last Sunday of every month, a free children’s art class introduces young visitors to creative expression amidst the gardens.
For the latest schedule of activities, workshops, and special events, visitors are encouraged to check the Andromeda Botanic Gardens website.
Practical Information & Helpful Hints
Explore at your own pace, from shaded walkways to open garden rooms with sweeping sea views. Paths vary in gradient, so comfortable footwear is recommended. Accessibility continues to improve, though some areas require careful navigation.
Plan at least two hours to fully enjoy the gardens, and consider joining a guided tour for deeper insight into the plant collections and their stories. Pause on the Atlantic-facing deck to soak in the views and watch sunlight filter through the canopy — a perfect spot to reflect on the garden’s beauty. Bring a picnic to make the most of this tranquil setting.