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Gardens

Explore our botanical gardens during your zoo visit and discover our passion for plants that not only makes Paignton Zoo look beautiful but also helps to provide important habitats for native wildlife.


Japanese cherry tree in the botanical gardens of Paignton Zoo

Our dedicated gardeners work hard all year round to grow plants and trees from all over the world. Some to look out for are the magnolia and blossom trees in the spring and our Japanese maple in the autumn.


Japanese cherry tree in the botanical gardens of Paignton Zoo

The plants at Paignton Zoo play a vital role in conservation too – we cultivate many endangered species and swap techniques and material with other botanical gardens. Lots goes on behind the scenes, with large indoor greenhouses and planting areas.


As well as being striking in their own right, certain plants and trees are managed to provide food for some of our animals.