jessamine eden botanic garden

Excellent botanical gardens set in lush surrounds. It takes about 1 hour to go round and the gardens are well laid out and informative.

We were told it was worth a visit, but on arrival was told by a fierce lady that one could only see the gardens on an "official" tour, and they were far too busy to watch us. I think they thought we might steal or eat the plants...

This place is beautiful, off the beaten path, with delicious fresh food and absolutely amazing honey from their hives.

My wife and I visited Jessamine Eden Gardens with high expectations of a botanical treat, despite a couple of poor reviews (including one particularly strange one!). The gardens are easy to find by turning off right at Beausejour just passed a bridge (when coming from St Georges). The road is well-made - it's just under 2 km before you reach the well-marked entrance. So far, so good. There is a small grassy car-park as you enter the grounds. There was no-one in the hut at the entrance but a gardener approached us and said that entry was 10 US dollars per person. We asked for a leaflet or even a ticket as evidence that we had paid but neither were available. The gardener indicated that we were free to roam with an expansive sweep of his arm, and he told us there were some hives. This was the only guidance we received. Undaunted, we followed the main track until we reached the bridge which crosses the river. At this point, it appeared that the cultivated part of the garden ended. We followed the track upwards without having any idea where it led. It soon became very muddy and slippery, so we decided against proceeding (despite the fact that we were wearing appropriate walking shoes). At this point, it started to rain heavily so we returned to the gardens and sat beside the river in a large gazebo. After a while the rain ceased and we were able to walk around the cultivated part of the garden. This was very attractive, but it was on a very small scale. Relatively few of the plants were labelled, and some of the paths were narrowed by the overgrowth of palm fronds. Eventually, we felt we couldn't get anymore from our time at the gardens, so we left after a couple of frustrating hours. Had it not rained, we would have been hard pressed to spend an hour walking around the gardens. Unless we missed something, we felt that this attraction was overpriced and under-developed.

We just returned from our sixth trip to Grenada. This visit included some new places and experiences. One of the most outstanding was our visit to Jessamine Eden Botanic Garden.You may experience this place in a number of different ways, from paying an admission fee to walk the grounds, to luncheons, spa treatments and detailed tours.Although they weren't scheduled to reopen for the season til later on in the week, the owner, Dr. Valma Jessamay, went out of her way to provide us with an unparallelled experience.Jessamine Eden is located on the west coast of Grenada, near Bausejour,and not far from Annandale Falls.We arrived in the late morning for luncheon and a tour, and were greeted by a young lady named Rona, who offered some refreshing lemongrass tea. The meal that followed was truly one of the most delicious and beautifully plated dining experiences I've ever had! The food, whenever possible, is sourced from the property. Lunch started with a crayfish salad with a honey-mustard dressing, and was followed with a fresh whole snapper, cooked in banana leaves. The fish was served with lots of veggies - eggplant, callaloo, papaya, dasheen, bananas, blogues and plantain.Fresh fruit juice or a lovely Chilean Chardonnay accompanied the meal. Dr. Jessamay came in and introduced herself, and told us of her experience in buying this beautiful property, and the serendipitous way in which thier bee-keeping operation began. We then walked around the land with her, saw beautiful specimen tropical plants, as well as some of the plants on which the bees depend to produce their honey. There were many hives, located in various areas. There is also a glassed hive, where you may observe what goes on inside a bee hive.The land is aptly named - Eden! A beautiful river runs through the property. Jessamine Eden also offers spa treatments, and one of the spa features is a dip in that lovely water. Next time, that is something I'd definately want to do! After our tour of the land we went back to taste a little honey, and to have a dessert of a banana split, delicious cakes and coffee. We were able to buy honey to take home, as well.While not inexpensive, the quality of the experience at Jessamine Eden is unsurpassed! I'd certainly reccommend that anyone who has the time and the desire to go and experience something very special!

This eden would possibly take you several weeks to cover, to get every last detail in (thats if you love the outdoors and actually appreciate it). We went to visit Eden whilst it was closed for some upgrades, and we were welcomed with open arms. Incredible in October it was the season of dirth (season without flowering for honey bees), and it it was positively beautiful and lush beyond any island in the Leeward and Windwards we have seen yet (we have sailed all the islands in the month of October from the BVIs).yes, a return taxi is roughly 50$ USD/CAD but well worth it when you keep your eyes and views wide open. A bus is possible and certainly a lot less expensive, but this all depends on how much time you have to spare and time is precious on this planet. Make your own choice here based on you.I highly recommend Eden for a visit, even just for the tranquility and sheer beauty of the area near Grand Etang. For all BeeKeepers, a super must. They are keen, and very knowledgeable. on the subject, and have award winning honey available on site. Keep up the excellent work. We will be back next year for tea and honey and beauty:)Go and see for yourself, and see what the island is all about outside of the shopping. You will drive by small villages, teeming with life, love, and laughter...an incredible view of the island, that many do not experience and should.

We chose to go by taxi but I think it is possible to go by bus if you can walk a bit.It was not quite as big as we thought it would be but it it is a lovely garden to wander around and has stunning flowers so is well worth a visit.

God will deal with her for trying to steal from people all the time to bad pay never good with visiteros mean to workers she is a DR for stealing if she want to make it in this life she better be good to people

Arriving on a cruise ship early one Sunday morning, we hired a driver at the port to take us to Jessamine and back ($50). The half-hour drive takes you past coastal villages before turning inland into a rural area with lovely views of tropical foliage and craggy hills. We were the first visitors to Eden that day, warmly greeted by a research scientist, her assisant and by Heidi, the friendly dog. The main buildings are set in a valley with a small brook running through the garden. We walked up a hillside trail, chatted with a local farmer and admired his flock of goats. Through a glass sided hive, we observed bees building their comb. We were offered delicious lemon grass tea and fresh-baked banana bread and bought several pots of their Silver Medal-winning organic honey to take home as gifts.Next time we will take the Jessamine package that includes transport from the dock, a conducted tour and lunch in their Riverside Grill cafe.

is good (one of the best in Grenada) but after that it is a rip off. US$10 per person to wander round what is obviously some person's unfinished garden project must be the most expensive tourist sight in Grenada. Yes, the gardens are 'peaceful,' yes. there is a minimal attempt to label a few plants and trees but to refer to location as a 'botanic garden' is just plain mis-selling.There are three bee hives, a small display hive and nothing else to justify a "Honey Bee Tour" - which we were not offered. We did walk around part of the estate of unmade and unmarked trails - notable for having more litter than Grande Anse Bay in the evening after a cruise ship departs.Time to get real and either make this a real botanic garden or stop mis-selling. Go visit Laura's Spice and Herb Garden - Much more worthwhile.

stopped in after going to the falls for lunch. Have to book ahead no drop ins....and is not featured with tours at hotelbeautiful spot, very tranquil....food was delicious and well presented....little disappointed the server was so shy....wanted more info on the food and surroundings After all the meal was very pricey, but we figured having the place to ourselves was worth it

This is a wonderful way to see the island and enjoy the plant life - its tranquil and relaxing as well as being really informative

A truly wonderful experience. Apart from a beautiful place to visit, the meal we had was simply amazing, all locally produced fare and that is everything and absolutely superb service.

Me & my husband initially attended the gardens not knowing what to expect. Well, what can i say except Val & Jerry are fantastic host and cant do enough for u, but also provide u with the privacy needed at such a wonderful place. U could spend the whole day here, soaking up the sun, dipping in the water, picking all different fruits and tasting different flavours of honey from different seasons...It was the most amazing honey ever. I can not wait 2 return on my next trip to Grenada to show this place off to my family. I truely reccomend the 'Botanic Gardens' to be on your to do list.

Go to Jessamine Eden if only for the hoeny tasting... the best in world. Actually they won a Silver Award at the UK National Honey Show for their clear honey. The competition was among honey from around the world. I also was stunned by the glass observation hive and actually saw the queen lay eggs