Weather ravages park tropical oasis

The Tropical Ravine houses many exotic plants

It has been an exotic oasis for more than a century in Belfast, but time is taking its toll on the Tropical Ravine in the city's Botanic Gardens.

Unless it gets a major overhaul, it could leave the collection of tropical vines and exotic shrubs in danger of shrivelling up and dying.

Northern Ireland's cold climate is affecting the plants, some of which are more than 100 years old.

The roof is in a state of disrepair, letting out heat and leaking water.

Botanic Gardens park manager Reg Maxwell said this puts the plants at risk.

"The cold drips cause problems to tropical plants - the cold makes the leaves drop, the ground gets wet, the roots rot off, so you can lose the plants altogether," he said.

The leaky roof is affecting plants in the Tropical Ravine

"Also, in a situation like this they don't grow well and they don't flower properly so we lose these beautiful plants.

"They require heat and warmth and don't need draughts, which are deadly."

It could cost as much as £1m to revamp the Tropical Ravine, with money needed from the National Lottery and other fundraising efforts.

Work on building the Tropical Ravine was completed in 1889, and since then, generations have enjoyed walking around the raised balcony which overlooks the exotic blooms growing underneath in a sunken glen.

Interesting plants on display include collections of bromeliads and orchids, as well as bananas, sugar cane, papyrus, avocado and cinnamon.