About Andromeda
The business at Andromeda is owned by Sharon, a British Barbadian. Her focus is on ensuring community inclusion, protecting Iris Bannochie’s legacy and conserving and enhancing Barbados’ biodiversity – plant and wildlife. Importantly, she wants to showcase our Bajan plant stories – our amazing heritage through our use of plants, relevant to who we are as Bajans and super-interesting for all visitors.
After more than a decade of hard work, commitment and investment, Andromeda has been renewed into ‘the best botanical garden I’ve ever visited’ and ‘the best garden in Barbados by far’ and ‘one of the most unique and outstanding gardens in the world’. It is also the only RHS Partner Garden in the West Indies.
Like many businesses we had to close Andromeda Botanic Gardens during the 2020 Global Pandemic. We reopened in August 2020 and made the gardens free for locals, at all times not just on selected days and months. We were very fortunate because the locals came in their droves, donated generously and kept Andromeda open.
2021 was also another tough year for the gardens, like many businesses we had more pandemic closures, the island suffered from volcanic ash, a freak storm and a hurricane plus we had to cope with many covid related staff absences.
We had to close for 18 weeks and whilst the strains were immense, we had multiple donors, locals and overseas patrons who provided support to keep us open. It’s thank to them that we survived and we thank every single person and company for their generous support during these tough periods.
Now fast forward to 2024 and our vision for Andromeda Botanic Gardens is one of a committed community space, where locals will be able to enjoy the gardens free of charge, where they will be able to use the plants in the Ethnobotanical Gardens, free of charge. The new decks are multi-purpose, used for taichi, yoga, picnics, weddings and more. Our collaborator BERP (see our Partner page) makes full use of the Ethnobotanical Gardens with wonderful workshops. Vitally, we are committed to the protection and enhancement of our biodiversity, in particular our pollinators – bees, birds and butterflies.
We hope locals will continue to visit and donate and we hope overseas visitors come and fully enjoy a real Barbadian garden experience, and discover that Andromeda Botanic Gardens is more than a garden it is a community space for us!
Sharon Cooke
Sharon is the business owner, head gardener and curator of Andromeda Botanic Gardens, operating through her company Passiflora Ltd – a social enterprise business model.
I took over the management and development of Andromeda Botanic Gardens in February 2014, after being requested to do so by the owners of the property – The Barbados National Trust. It was an honour!! I couldn’t believe it. Andromeda was such a prestigious property. Being responsible for Andromeda was not even a dream. It was something beyond my imagination.
I knew it needed help. The first time I’d visited was as a child in 1977, returning as an adult in 1994. Andromeda had changed but I couldn’t articulate what that was – anyway, gardens do change!!
I returned numerous times between 2002 and 2012. Andromeda was silently asking for help.
But, despite that, what struck me, (during and after all those visits, spending so much time here) was that Andromeda Botanic Gardens was easily one of the most incredible gardens I had ever experienced. And here it was…in Barbados!
Andromeda receives support from many organisations and individuals, who truly appreciate the importance of Iris Bannochie’s legacy and the work we’re doing. The investment over recent years has resulted in a space that is so much more than a garden. Visitors love it – those that do come! We need many more. If one truly loves gardens, history, food, art, heritage – Andromeda has it all!
Recent Evolution of Andromeda
THE FOCUS – TO BUILD ON IRIS BANNOCHIE’S LEGACY, BE INCLUSIVE FOR ALL OUR COMMUNITIES, AND PROTECT AND ENHANCE OUR BIODIVERSITY.
THE REALITY
Once the garden started to look great again, I knew people would visit. Wrong! Andromeda is not on the radar for most people. In fact many do not know the garden exists. I’m still working on that part! All I want to do is develop this amazing heritage site, show people we have real gardens in Barbados, and employ people to help look after Iris Bannochie’s masterpiece. Andromeda is beyond special and people need to experience this incredible garden.
All Andromeda needed was love. Now, all it needs are visitors.
THE REALITY CHECK
The vision for the whole of Andromeda has evolved into much more than a wonderful tourist attraction. We see it is a community space for all – a heritage site for plants, people and wildlife. It is ‘about us’, showcasing our plants, our culture and our biodiversity.
We have built on Iris Bannochie’s legacy and created a space that is relevant and accessible for all Barbadians; a welcoming space for all visitors; and one that protects and enhances our fabulous biodiversity.
We hope people visit and support our mission at Andromeda – a worthy cause, an incredible legacy and a space that is so much more than a garden.
Andromeda Botanic Gardens 