In 1844 the Crown took areas of the Wellington Town Belt, including land for a botanical garden, from the Kumutoto settlement, but returned some of it in 1847.

[6]: 122  The large pinus radiata trees that are a feature in some areas of the garden were grown using the first seeds of the species that were imported into New Zealand from California.

The garden became more popular with the public after the cable car began operation in 1902 and trams started running along Glenmore Street in 1904.

The council constructed a tea kiosk at the top of the cable car (1904), a playground near Anderson Park (1905), a band rotunda near the duck pond (1907), and a fernery (1911).

[10] Later, a variety of music was performed at the Sound Shell, including pop concerts in the late 1960s and then Summer City events from the 1970s.

[14] The gully was filled in and the current rose garden was then established from 1950 to 1953, in time for that year's royal tour.

[16] The Begonia House bordering the south side of the rose garden was opened in 1960, after a donation of £20,000 by Sir Charles Norwood, former mayor of Wellington.

[19] In November 2024, Wellington City Council announced that it was considering demolishing the Begonia House, citing unspecified safety concerns.

The Wellington Bands Association proposed construction of the Sound Shell as a memorial to bandsmen who had fought and died in World Wars 1 and 2.

A plaque on the structure states: "In commemoration of bandsmen of the Wellington District who served their king and country and of those who also made the supreme sacrifice.

[23] During the summer Gardens Magic season, people picnic on the lawn, and trees around the area are lit up.

[14] In 1996 the pond was enlarged and reshaped, and its surroundings were upgraded with a small pavilion, wetland garden and lookout points.

[14] Also near the Founders Entrance is the 'Joy' fountain which consists of a round pool with three frogs spouting water, with a central figure of a child with doves, carved in Hinuera stone.

[36] In 1994 the lantern was adapted to house the Hiroshima Peace Flame in recognition of Wellington's nuclear free status.

[41] The Treehouse was built in 1991 in a partnership between Wellington City Council and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

These pockets of forest cover eight hectares near Fern Glen Stream, Stable Gully, and the Salamanca hillside south of the Lady Norwood Rose Garden.

There are areas of predominantly kānuka, kāmahi or kohekohe, but also large hinau and rātā trees that have survived since pre-European times.

[45] A threatened species garden next to the Treehouse education centre displays native plants that are under threat.

[48] An unusual plant in the garden is the voodoo lily, which only flowers once every few years and smells like rotting meat.

[50] One notable bird is the kākā, a large native parrot that has become common in the garden since a breeding programme was established at Zealandia.

[52][53] In March 2024, two mature redwoods planted around the 1870s had to be removed from the garden because of decay caused by kākā damage.

[54][55] Glowworms are visible some nights along paths in the main garden near the duck pond, and visitors can take a tour to see them.

[56][57] From 1944 until 2023, Tulip Sunday was part of a spring festival held annually in the gardens, usually near the end of September.

[61][62] The event received a boost in 1948, when the Netherlands government gave 25,000 tulip bulbs to Wellington in recognition of New Zealand's welcome to Dutch refugees after World War 2.

[63] In 2024, Wellington City Council advised that since it had changed to a more sustainable planting scheme, it would no longer hold Tulip Sunday.

Under this programme, the Botanic Garden aimed to reduce waste, energy consumption, travel and fuel, by means such as replacing power tools with electric ones and altering the way the glasshouses are managed.

[65] Instead of using gas heaters to warm the glasshouses, piped hot water from electric heat pumps is used.

[67] At the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, low-toxicity chemicals and natural predators such as ladybirds (which eat aphids) are used to maintain plant health.

The Centennial Entrance near the Founders Entrance provides vehicle and pedestrian access from Glenmore Street to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, and a path from Bolton Street Cemetery past Anderson Park also leads to the rose garden.