Hillgarden

Hillgarden is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 16 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Hillgarden and is known to supply Finlays, a major global tea and beverage company. Production is focused on black tea.

Terroir & Climate

At 16 metres above sea level, Hillgarden occupies one of the lowest elevations at which tea is commercially cultivated in Sri Lanka. Estates at this altitude typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with little seasonal temperature variation. The Southern Province generally receives rainfall from both monsoons, and low-elevation sites tend to produce flush growth cycles that are less sharply defined than those seen in the central highlands.

Low-grown Ceylon teas—those below approximately 600 metres—typically develop more rapidly than high-elevation leaf, with shorter intervals between plucking rounds. The warmer growing environment tends to favour vigorous vegetative growth and can yield leaf with higher levels of certain polyphenols, though the cooler, slower maturation of high-elevation gardens is often associated with more complex aromatics. Estates in this elevation band are generally well suited to CTC and orthodox black tea manufacture for both bulk and packet-tea markets.

Tea Produced

Hillgarden produces black tea. Low-grown Ceylon teas from estates at this elevation typically yield a bold, full-bodied cup with good colour and strength. The leaf tends to produce brisk, assertive liquor rather than the more delicate, nuanced character associated with high-elevation gardens. Teas from the Southern Province's low-elevation belt are often valued for blending, where body, colour, and consistent flavour are priorities, though specific cup profiles will vary with manufacturing method, plucking standard, and seasonal conditions.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Hillgarden is known to supply Finlays, one of the world's largest tea companies and a significant buyer of Ceylon tea for both its own-brand products and for onward supply to retail and foodservice customers globally. Finlays' procurement from an estate of this scale and elevation suggests that Hillgarden's output is likely directed toward bulk and blending markets, where consistency, strength, and value are key considerations. The relationship places Hillgarden within the supply chain of a buyer with reach across multiple continents and customer segments.

• Recorded supplier to  Finlays

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Hillgarden lies at 6.1556, 80.2205 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 16 m elevation is the joint 113th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Weihena — under 1 km away
• Ivy Valley — 3.4 km away
• Imbulgahagoda — 4.5 km away
• BADDEGAMA IDIGASKATIYA — 4.8 km away · Baddegama
• Galle Gangaboda — 4.8 km away

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Hillgarden

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Hillgarden (16 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Hillgarden recorded 3,325 mm in 2025, 45% more than the 2,300 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.

Estate	Where	Elevation	Rain 2025	Mean high
Ghazipore Tea Estate	Moulvibazar, Bangladesh	16 m	2,559 mm	30.1 °C
MOULVI TEA ESTATE	Moulvibazar, Bangladesh	16 m	2,427 mm	30.2 °C
Hadong Tea Factory	Ulju-gun, Korea Republic Of	16 m	1,102 mm	19.5 °C
Zhejiang Chunan New Continent Tea Co. Ltd.	Xihu Dadao, China	17 m	1,470 mm	24.3 °C
Avt Natural Products Limited	Aluva 683 105, India	15 m	3,944 mm	31.2 °C

Hillgarden Compared with Southern Province

In Southern Province, Hillgarden is wetter than 75% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 85% of the others by elevation; cooler than 68% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Hillgarden against the 133 other estates we map in Southern Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.

Measure	Hillgarden	Region median	Region range
Elevation	16 m	49 m	6 to 806 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	3,325 mm	3,022 mm	2,210 to 3,589 mm
Mean daily high	29.6 °C	29.8 °C	25.9 to 30.5 °C
Mean overnight low	23.0 °C	22.6 °C	18.2 to 24.1 °C

Observed Climate at Hillgarden (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Hillgarden’s coordinates recorded 3,325 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (481 mm) and the driest was February (83 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.6 °C and overnight lows 23.0 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	3,325 mm
Wettest month	November (481 mm)
Driest month	February (83 mm)
Mean daily high	29.6 °C
Mean overnight low	23.0 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Hillgarden located?

Hillgarden is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.1556, 80.2205, at an elevation of about 16 metres.

Who operates Hillgarden?

Hillgarden is operated by Hillgarden, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does Hillgarden produce?

Hillgarden is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does Hillgarden supply?

Public supplier disclosures record Hillgarden as supplying Finlays.

How much rain does Hillgarden receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,325 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (481 mm).

How does Hillgarden compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Hillgarden recorded 3,325 mm in 2025, 45% more rain than the 2,300 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.

Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].