The Cayman Islands are home to lush, exotic greenery. Their beautiful blooms, leafy vegetation, tropical trees and striking multi-hued landscapes are second to none.

The three-island chain of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac boasts a wide variety of flora, all supported by its various ecosystems. From hardy shrubs and flowering trees to swaying palms and luxuriant bromeliads, Cayman is home to an impressive array of extraordinary native and imported plant species. Some areas sport succulents and cacti; others bloom with lush, overhanging bougainvillea featuring an explosion of brilliant colours. Sea grape trees — with their bright green leaves — dot the coastline, and fruit trees bearing everything from mangos, limes and papayas to apple bananas and calabashes grow throughout. The islands burst with blooms, from the fragrant flowers of wild jasmine and oleander to the showy blossoms of the hibiscus tree and an assortment of rare and exquisite orchids.

While Cayman’s saline environment can present challenges, its gardens are beautifully kept and particularly impressive. The island has an active garden club and has exhibited at the internationally renowned Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Many private residences boast exceptional gardens and grounds, but there are plenty of public spaces to admire nature’s bounty while enjoying some tranquil island-time. Among Cayman’s luxurious green escapes are its botanic park, numerous community parks, the walking trails and gardens at Camana Bay, and the gardens of the new National Gallery.

Botanic Park
Cayman’s garden showpiece is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, a lush wilderness preserve nestled in the district of North Side. The 65-acre park is not only blooming with a collection of tropical flowers, trees and plants, but also offers a glimpse of Cayman’s heritage.

The botanic park is home to 700 species of plants, both native and exotic, that also attract an array of birds, butterflies and wildlife, including agoutis and endangered blue iguanas. Its peaceful surroundings, floral aromas and striking tropical beauty make it an ideal place to spend a leisurely morning or afternoon communing with nature.

There are four themed gardens to explore: floral colour garden, heritage garden, palm garden and orchid garden. The floral colour garden is a showcase of nature’s brilliant handiwork, where visitors can stroll through a series of landscaped displays. Pink, red, yellow, blue, orange, white and lavender hues can be found in shaded areas, open spaces and woodlands. It’s the most aromatic — and popular — spot in the park. Some parts of the garden have a humid, rainforest feel with lush, large-leafed plants, a natural waterfall and water lily ponds nestled amongst the blooms.

The floral colour garden offers a year-round explosion of exotic blooms ranging from water lilies sporting vibrant red blooms and striking orange shrimp plants to fragrant ylang-ylang trees and the pendulous flowers of angel’s trumpet, which produces large, pink blossoms. A gazebo overlooking the picturesque gardens is a favourite rest stop.

The heritage garden features a traditional Caymanian cottage surrounded by trees and plants that played an integral role in Cayman’s history and development, such as the silver thatch palm. The grounds are filled with ornamentals, traditional root crops and medicinal plants that were staples of years past. Sugar cane — which can be sampled on-site — yams and okra plants can be found along with mango, West Indian cherry and breadfruit trees.

The orchid garden is home to some 30 different varieties that can be spotted while strolling along the boardwalk. Ten of the 26 orchid species found in the Cayman Islands are housed in the park, including Cayman’s national flower, the wild banana orchid, and the rare ghost orchid. The optimal time to view blooming orchids is usually between April and June.

Throughout the mile-long Woodland Trail, visitors will encounter everything from mahogany trees, succulents and leafy bromeliads to logwood, cactus and a buttonwood swamp. One of the newest additions to the park is the palm garden, which includes a collection of 80 different palm trees from around the world.

Camana Bay
The flourishing town of Camana Bay, developed by Dart Realty, is home to inspirational gardens, courtyards and green gathering places, all meticulously planned and maintained. Some of the parks and gardens are purpose-driven, and each space offers a unique experience.

The town has four courtyards, named for the flowers found in their gardens: gardenia, jasmine, canella and cassia. Each has a distinct character and colour theme, and incorporates soothing water features. Gardenia Court is intended as a reading garden, given its proximity to the bookstore and coffee shop. Jasmine Court, located near the cinema complex, is highlighted by playful interactive fountains that are a big hit with the youngsters. There are lighted bubble benches, and awnings and palm trees provide plenty of shade in the daytime. In the evening, the wonderful aroma of the night-blooming jasmine infuses the air.

Dominated by red hues, Canella Court offers ample seating in a number of elevated areas, while the soothing sound of the fountains creates a restful, contemplative atmosphere. Cassia Court is designed as a lush, relaxing food court, with a vertical wall of greenery separating the courtyard from the asphalt.

Other green spaces abound. The Crescent —  located by the harbour —  is the largest, designed to accommodate gatherings for special events. Its focal point, a spectacular fountain with sprays reaching 30 feet high, fronts a rambling grassy lawn dotted with towering date palms. Tables, chairs and other seating areas invite visitors to relax and enjoy cooling breezes.

A man-made island by the town’s marina features shady palms — each handpicked to lean at a different angle — and a beach. This casual spot is an ideal place to picnic or soak up the sun. At night, lighting baskets are suspended and set aglow. The Paseo is the main pedestrian street, accented by a row of royal palm trees along with colourful planters featuring an array of exotics and greenery.

These tropical green spaces are set amongst Camana Bay’s variety of shops, restaurants and cafés, as well as residences and office buildings. There are unique touches throughout. A long, low fountain set next to an office complex is designed to reflect the sky, and climbing vines envelop the exterior walls of the parking garage, offering a green view from office windows.

Connecting the town from sea to sea is Camana Way, which leads to Seven Mile Beach. The landscaped boulevard features more than 100 different indigenous plant species, all of which are labelled.

The walkway is a botanical tour of five distinct ecosystems found on the islands: coastal strand, sandy woodland, dry rocky limestone woodland, moist woodland and seasonally-flooded brackish woodland. Stone-paved “garden rooms” are included along the way for relaxation.

National Gallery
When it came to the design of the new $2-million National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, its gardens were a prime consideration. A key goal of the gallery is to serve as a community space.

The three-acre site incorporates small gardens for quiet reflection, a nature heritage trail featuring native plants, trees and shrubs, and a larger grassy area that can accommodate gatherings and special events. The Deutsche Bank Sculpture Garden serves as the facility’s outdoor gallery. Essentially an art museum within a park, it houses permanent displays as well as rotating exhibits by local artists.

The gallery’s gardens, grounds and trails feature native plants, many of which have cultural significance. In Cayman’s early history, plants and trees were used for everything from food, shelter and clothing to medicines, boatbuilding and export. They were also a vital part of the islands’ heritage and identity.

Located off the Esterley Tibbetts Highway near the Harquail Theatre, the National Gallery gardens are a collaborative effort by the former landscape architect for Camana Bay, Sandy Urquhart, and Margaret Barwick, a renowned plant expert, writer and landscaper.

Green Retreats
Dart, in partnership with the government, has also built community parks in each of Grand Cayman’s five districts. The parks feature manicured gardens, playgrounds, shaded cabanas and barbecue grills. A popular spot is Dart Family Park in South Sound, which is close to the sea and has a man-made beach and outdoor amphitheatre.

Of course, beautiful greenery can be found across the island in the gardens of private residences, at tourist attractions, and hotels, resorts and guest houses. Among those sporting impressive gardens is Grand Old House in South Sound, an historic plantation home converted into a fine-dining restaurant; Pedro St. James, a national historic site in Savannah that features a restored 18th-century great house set on seven acres of manicured grounds; Roland’s Garden, a unique “pay-what-you-like” restaurant and beer garden on Lawrence Boulevard off West Bay Road that features a jungle-like, rustic atmosphere; and the Cayman Turtle Farm in West Bay that includes a bird aviary and butterfly garden.

Vast, varied and always inspiring, Cayman’s tropical landscape is truly a garden of delights.

Source:  caymanairwaysmagazine.com