Photo credits: Renuka

Ooty Botanical garden was designed in 1847.  One of the central features of the 55-acre property is a fossilized tree trunk believed to be 20 million years old. Other highlights include rare tree species, exotic and ornamental flowering bushes and plants, and a conservatory containing ferns and orchids.

The Italian style garden, first laid out by Italian prisoners during World War I, is a fascinating piece of history. A crescent shaped lily pond helps define the formal design of this area of the garden.