1996 - The 43m garden is founded with a 22m grant from the Millennium Commission.

1996 - Sir Norman Foster chosen to design the great glass house that will form the centre piece. Work starts.

24 May 2000 - The garden opens its gates to members of the public.

21 July 2000 - Prince Charles officially opens the attraction during a visit to Wales

6 November 2000 - Garden announces 180,000 people visit in first months surpassing target by 20,000.

15 February 2001 - Institute of Welsh Affairs says the garden should have annual subsidy to aid its research work.

Closure crisis

6 October 2003 - Sixty staff are given one month’s notice as cutbacks are made.

14 October 2003 - Trustees agree short-term rescue package with Welsh assembly, Carmarthenshire Council and Millennium Commission to keep it open until Christmas.

1 November 2003 - The founder of Cornwall’s Eden Project visits garden which he says must be saved.

5 November 2003 - Redundant staff complete their last day in work.

17 November 2003 - Man who originated the idea for the National Botanic Garden of Wales, William Wilkins, criticises people running it saying they have not realised his dream.

2 December 2003 - Trustees ask Welsh Culture Minister Alan Pugh for 3m to fund a 21-point rescue plan over six years.

10 December 2003 - Panel of tourism experts say garden has no future in its present form.

10 December 2003 - Alun Pugh confirms the assembly will not support the garden any further. Liquidators are to be called in.

11 December 2003 - Prince of Wales says he “very much hopes a situation can be found to allow the garden to remain open”.

Seeds of Recovery

13 May 2004 - Garden starts re-employing some of the 70 staff laid-off in previous year.

17 June 2005 - Adult dating advices site submit charity Grantscape pledges a 350,000 grant, generated from landfill taxes, which the garden said would be used on its glasshouse and double walled garden.

15 September 2005 - Roy J Thomas appointed interim chief executive with Robin Lewis becoming new trustee - bringing number of new dating online profile tip to the board to seven.

14 November 2005 - A 1.35m lottery grant is announced for new attractions including a Tropical House designed by Welsh-born architect John Belle.

26 April 2006 - Welsh assembly audit committee finds public bodies did not make adequate checks before funding the “risky” project and recommends changes for future projects, including better analysis of business plans and more collaboration between funding partners.

Read source on News - Timeline: National Botanic Garden