It is often called "The Jewel in the Crown" as it is nationally known for its floral displays, which have been featured in the BBC TV program Gardener's World.

The company acquired land from the Hesketh Estate (which belonged to Meols Hall) to establish the gardens.

The Botanic Gardens' lake was formed from part of a stream (known as Otter Pool) that flowed from Blowick through Meols Hall out to the Ribble Estuary.

[2] Until recently the flow of this stream had been intentionally blocked for 20–30 years at the point where it passed into the Gardens under Botanic Road, but this conduit was reopened in 2012.

The gush of water out of the lake on re-opening sluiced away silt and mud in the stream bed, briefly exposing the cobbled ford which predated the road bridge.

The gardens boasted a large glass conservatory with a fernery, which proved very popular with visitors, as it featured many tropical plants from around the world.

The site of the conservatory can still be seen in front of the fernery today, as the outline of the remains is laid out as a floral garden.

[4] The collections were transferred to the Atkinson Museum where many are currently on display, including the Martin Mere canoe and artefacts relating to the Mexico lifeboat disaster of 1886.