Semmozhi Poonga, Chennai

Situated in the luxurious metropolis of Chennai, Semozhi Ponga is a lush botanical garden established in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture and Agricultural Engineering, Tamil Nadu. This garden is the first botanical garden in Chennai which was established on 24 November 2010 by the then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

The park is home to temperate and tropical flora and distinctive plant species. The garden has 500 different plant species and about 20 different trees, which are about 100 years old. Here you will find both native and exotic plants including shrubs, medicinal herbs and aromatic stems.

Covering an area of 20 acres (320 grounds), it was built at a cost of ₹80 million. During construction, the garden has received saplings from China worth around ₹800,000. These include flowering cacti that include velvety, pale pink on top, non-flowering cacti up to about 45 cm in diameter, 'Lucky' bamboo, ficus and bonsai varieties.

The cacti were planted in the Cacti Garden decorated with white marble chips, pebbles and rocks from Porbandar. The garden also received water lilies and 12 varieties of orchids from Thailand.

1. Semozhi Ponga is indeed a beautiful botanical garden which can be seen with many botanical species. The name of the park literally means Classical Language Park and is the first of its kind in the city.
2. The garden has 500 different plant species and around 20 different trees, which are about 100 years old.
3. Incorporating elements of an Indo-Buddhist garden, the garden consists of 22 distinctive areas including Palm Court, Tree Court, Golden Garden, Water and Rock Garden, Butterfly Garden There is a wide variety of indigenous species.
4. The garden features many exotic herb species and 90-odd spiral-shaped and multi-branched miniature trees grown in containers. Bonsai garden is dotted with trees whose height ranges from 1 foot to 4 feet. At the end of the park is the Cascade Gardens

📅 Last update: 2024-06-20 || ✍ Author: Sandhya Chauhan

Meet Sandhya, exploring India with curiosity and wonder. She shares info and tips in simple language, inviting you to join the journey. She is graduated in tourism and writes about the places of India.