Hakgala Botanical Gardens

Hakgala Botanical Gardens

These gardens were originally laid out in 1861 to cultivate cinchona, the bark of which is a source of the anti-malarial drug quinine. Today, Hakgalais famous for its roses that bloom from April to August. Spread over 27 ha, the garden is divided into different sections, including a Japanese garden, a fernery and a lock garden. The beds here host a diverse range of flowers, from sunflowers and pansies to orchids. The plants and tress labelled in red are indigenous to Sri Lanka.