Who are we?
Friends of Andromeda Botanic Gardens promotes the conservation, maintenance and development of the Andromeda Botanic Gardens in Barbados.
We aim to preserve, encourage, support and enhance the scientific value of the living plant collections in the gardens, the habitat they offer for indigenous wildlife, and their environmental importance in the area.
Why was the charity formed?
By the mid 2010s, Andromeda looked neglected and were showing their age. Sharon Cooke took on the gardens in 2014, nursing them through the difficulties of 2020 and 2021, and is slowly returning them to their former glory.
There is, however, minimal assistance from the Barbados NT and heavy reliance on visitors and donations. We want to provide financial and moral support, and hence the UK charity Friends of Andromeda Botanic Gardens (FAB Gardens) was conceived.
Recent projects include the clearing of 2 acres to create the Ethnobotanical garden, an area promoting plants as heritage and a valued connection to who we were, who we are, and who we can be. This was followed by the creation of Rochelle’s Garden: fully accessible for wheelchair users, connecting art with cultural and natural heritage. Presently, the African Connections Garden is under development, and will be a highly ornamental space highlighting common decorative plants that have a strong connection to the African continent.
Our primary aim is fundraising, but in time we want to develop stronger links between partner gardens for education, awareness, and even work experience trips. Any ideas, suggestions or advice will be gratefully received.
Sharon Cooke, manager of Passiflora
and the Andromeda Botanic Gardens
Garden partners
Andromeda became an RHS Partner Garden in 2016: a status earned by gardens that have a high standard of planting and design.
Andromeda Botanic gardens is the only RHS Partner Garden in the West Indies. We are also twinned with the wonderful Lovell Quinta Arboretum (LQA).
