A five-year project transforming the Botanical Gardens by introducing historical designs has come to fruition.

Environment Minister El James yesterday opened the Formal Gardens — a new exhibit featuring a Japanese Zen Garden, 17th Century-style English Parterre Garden, 12th Century-style Persian Garden and Tudor-style children's Maze Garden.

The development, overseen by assistant parks planner Jameka Kelly, increases the Botanical Gardens' aesthetic appeal, and will help the location serve as an attraction for tourists and locals alike.

Each garden is about 90-square feet and has themed plants, and they are all separated by a central viewing gazebo.

Mr. James told The Royal Gazette: "It's fantastic when you consider we get 100,000 visitors here every year. It's going to be the focal point of any visit.

"People have always said Bermuda is like one big flower garden. That's what we have produced here. With four gardens, there's something for everyone. It's all produced by local talent as well."

Energy Minister Terry Lister said: "I'm very impressed with what I see. My hope is that the public will come down and enjoy it.

"One of the challenges we have in Bermuda today is that we work very hard and lead very stressful lives. You can sit in a place like this on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in the summer and de-stress."

Director of Parks Lisa Dawn Johnston said: "The idea was to kind of give the garden a new, fresh perspective. The Formal Gardens have always been a popular place for people to come for their wedding photographs. Now they have four gardens instead of one to choose from.

"It's taken some years to get where we want it, but it's there now."

A volunteer known to everyone as Aunt Nell, who has been helping out at the Botanical Gardens for 50 years, will be among those giving tours.

Explaining her passion for the beauty spot, Aunt Nell said: "You can make people understand that getting rid of trees, you are almost killing yourself. You need trees to live."