National Plant and Flower Festival: a visual and educational feast in Santo Domingo

The annual plant and flower festival at the National Botanical Garden (JBN) is set to begin next week, running from October 20 to 22. This year’s program offers an educational experience with workshops, discussions, and talks covering topics such as native and endemic flora of Hispaniola, gardening techniques, pest management, and care for ornamental plants.

On the opening day, there will be a discussion on the “Importance of native plants with ornamental potential,” featuring various experts in the field. The festival, now in its seventeenth edition, will host around 80 exhibitors offering plants and garden tools for sale, attracting visitors looking to add new colors to their patios, terraces, balconies, and gardens.

One of the festival’s unique aspects is the opportunity to find rare or out-of-fashion floral varieties and exotic species, even though they may not thrive in the city’s climate. It’s a challenge that plant enthusiasts embrace, striving to nurture these species “in good hands.”