The gardens were commissioned by Civil Commissioner Alexander Ball between 1802 and 1805, and were given to the Luogotenenti in charge of the towns or villages.

[4] Ball meant that the gardens would be accessible to the public, and he gave them to the temporary Luogotenenti (lieutenants) who were responsible for the administration of the casali.

[9] Each garden was surrounded by high boundary walls, and they had stone pathways flanked with pillars.

The entrances of some of the gardens were decorated with a relief of the royal cypher of King George III, and they also had an inscription which read as follows:[6]

(meaning This garden was commenced and completed under the administration of the knight and baronet Alexander John Ball for George the Third, King of Great Britain, ruler of the islands of Malta and Gozo, for the use of the temporary lieutenants of the village in everlasting sacred memory.)

Some of the gardens were destroyed over the years, but the ones at Attard, Balzan, Għargħur, Gudja, Lija, Mosta, Qrendi, Safi, Siġġiewi, Żebbuġ and Żejtun still survive today, in different states of preservation.

[12] The gardens of Gudja, Safi, Siġġiewi, Żebbuġ and Żejtun are also listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.

[18] The garden at Balzan is located at Triq in-Naxxar (Naxxar Road), close to Ta' Ganu Windmill.

A commemorative plaque, with Italian words making reference to King George III, and a sculpture made to sculpt for British insignia (but never completed) are located above the main entrance.

[21][22] It is open to the public during occasions or by appointment as Ġnien il-Pjanti Maltin (Maltese Plants Garden).

[26] The garden at Għaxaq has been largely built up, although some parts of it are still in existence, and can be seen from Triq San Filippu (St. Philip Street).

[10] The garden at Naxxar was located at the rear of Palazzo Nasciaro, which might have served as the residence of the Luogotenente.

[27] Gardens at Lija, Luqa, Mqabba, Qormi and Żurrieq were destroyed in the 20th century to make way for housing, schools or other buildings.