Dokmai Garden

History

Sixty years ago Dokmai Garden was a lowland teak-dipterocarp forest, mixed with other trees such as strychnine, ebony and magnolia. After clearcutting and burning, the top soil was gone and only suitable for cultivation of longan (Dimocarpus longan, Sapindaceae) and some other fruit trees.

The Seehamongkol family realised the foreign visitors' thirst for knowledge about Thai plants, and therefore transformed the land into a modern ethnobotanical garden which opened in January 2009. We collect plants you can see in the Chiang Mai province, either as food when you eat, or in the national parks when you hike, or in another Thai garden which rarely provide information.

The name "Dokmai" means flower, and our quest is to create an interest in all flowering plants, also in those with inconspicuous flowers but with other interesting features.

Plants of note

The entire species list can be downloaded from our webpage (www.dokmaigarden.co.th). We have also written over 880 blogs about monsoon gardening (http://dokmaidogma.wordpress.com). Here are some plants from our garden:

The Buddha hand, Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis, is the most popular attraction among Thai visitors.

Our vegetable section encompass 140 species, but changes constantly due to season and harvesting.

In total another 200 species produce edible fruits or nuts, such as Irvingia malayana, Governor's Plum (Flacourtia indica) and Java apple (Syzygium samarangense). When fruits are available, visitors are welcome to pick and taste.

Our poisonous plant section includes Derris elliptica (rotenone), Cerbera odollam, Strychnos nux-vomica (strychnine tree) and species you may encounter on a hike, species which must not be touched!

We keep over 200 species of native orchids, and the majority are pure species like those you may see in the wild.

A focal point is the forest mango, Mangifera caloneura, with an estimated age of 160-220 years. It is the sole remnant of the once mighty forest.

In March you can enjoy the rich pink blossom of Cassia bakeriana, which is unique to Burma and Thailand.

Aristolochia tagala is a native climber with peculiar brown flowers. We grow it to promote food for the native butterflies the Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus) and the Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae). The peak season for butterflies is May-October. Our many nectar plants ensure we can display more free-flying wild species and numbers than many butterfly houses.

Mushrooms are forgotten elements in modern gardens. We like to promote them during the green season (May-October).

Video from Dokmai Garden: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZInHvbR9fQ