It was established in 1858 by the Spanish colonial authorities as a botanical garden, called the Jardín Botánico, outside the walled city.

He came to the Philippines in 1871 to work in the forestry service (Inspección General de Montes).

[1] His obituary in Popular Science Monthly described him as "practically a pioneer in the investigation of the Philippine flora".

[5] The Garden is the open space off Liwasang Bonifacio (across the Philippine Post Office Main Building), bounded by Taft Avenue, LRT 1 Central Terminal station, the Metropolitan Theater, and Manila City Hall.

Inside the Garden are structures such as the Lawton Park n' Ride building and the Universidad de Manila.