Gede Tropical Gardens and Nursery

Kenya - Kilifi District - Gede

Garden Information

Institution Code:

About the Gede Tropical Gardens and Nursery

The plot was purchased in 1992. The overall size is 25 acres and was owned by a Swahili family from Malindi. Historically, these parcels of land were the country farms for wealthy families situated in Malindi, growing cashew nut, coconut, maize, as well as an assortment of other livestock and subsistence produce. The farm was in a state of neglect when it was purchased, which meant the maize fields, which covered over 70% of the land, had grown back. The native rootstock from previous slash and burn remained alive and had regrown. It was with little thought that we allowed this bush to remain and we encouraged the bush to thrive as it was a habitat for many of the indigenous fauna and flora. Our main interest was the areas of coconut and cashew nut plantation, where we established a high intensive nursery specifically growing ornamental exotic species for the local market. Our joy of indigenous trees meant that we added indigenous trees that we had collected from all corners of Kenya. Our business has flourished and the use of the land has simply become more and more intensive. Knowing this, not once have we applied pressure to develop areas of the indigenous bush, as it is in our interest in enhancing the wild areas as not only are they beautiful but they provide a wonderful seed bank. Gede has now become a miniature forest and is an island surrounded by destroyed landscapes. We have been very fortunate that a reliable source of potable water, albeit expensive, is close at hand. This source of water is becoming less and less dependable and more and more expensive. Pressure from the local cities, such as Malindi and Mombasa, mean that the price of water is becoming unaffordable. This has meant a shift in the species of plants that we target. Indigenous is increasingly suitable and the future lies in changing our overall plant selection and number of species to be a 25% exotic, 75% indigenous mix by 2025.

Main Address:
Gede Tropical Gardens and Nursery
PO Box 222
Malindi
Gede
Kilifi District 80200 Kenya

Telephone:
Fax:
URL:
Primary Email:

Staff Details

Director's Name: Simon Walsh
Curator's Name:
Plant Records Officer's Name: Thomas Mwadime
Total Staff:
Horticultural Staff Number: 15
Educational Staff Number:
Research Staff Number:
Administration Staff Number:

About the Garden

Institution Type: Botanic Garden
Status
Status: Private: Yes
Date founded: 1992
Physical Data
Natural Vegetation Area: Yes
Natural vegetation area: Size: 7 Hectares
Landscaped Area: Yes
Landscaped Area: Size: 2 Hectares
Total Area: 10 Hectares
Latitude: -3.315069
Longitude: 40.021362
Altitude: 0.00 Metres

Features and Facilities

Computer Plant Record System: Yes
Open to public: Yes
Retail Outlet: Shop: No
Retail Outlet: Plant Sales: Yes
Disabled access: Yes
Number of Visitors: 3000

Plant Collections

Accession Number: 361
Cultivation Taxa Num: 100
Special Collections:The living plant collection includes a mixture of indigenous and exotic plants for conservation, seed production, awareness raising, education and their ornamental value. Plants have been collected over the years from wild sources and horticultural collections.
Between this garden and our partner Malindi Tropical Nurseries, we have the largest collection of tropical plants in coastal East Africa.

Conservation Programmes

Conservation Programme: Yes
Ex Situ Conservation Programme: Yes

Research Programmes

Restoration Ecology: Yes

Education Programmes

Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
Guided Tours: Yes

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