Near the lagoon, Lankester created an area which he called El Silvestre (uncultivated), which was reserved for orchids and other tropical plants.

[2] In 1973, Dorothy sold the farm to the University of Costa Rica on the condition that it would be retained as a botanical garden.

[3] Under her direction, UCR developed a course on orchidology in 1984 and the garden slowly grew to become an important center for study in the Caribbean and Central America.

[4] The mission statement of Lankester Garden is to "promote conservation, enjoyment and sustainable use of the epiphytic flora through scientific research, horticulture, and environmental education."

[1] The garden sits on 11 hectares (27.2 acres) and is home to over 3000 species of plants, principally epiphytes, including orchids and bromeliads.