Botanical gardens are scientific and educational institutions holding documented collections and conservations of rich living plants through simulating nature． It is also an important base combining conservation of biodiversity，public education，storing and utilizing plant resources．Digital botanical gardens appear with the development of information technology which is practically utilized in botanical gardens． Here we give the broad and narrow definition of digital botanical gardens based on the research on its history．We also discussed the information technology systems，virtual plants，and intelligent management of special plant sections based on the case in South China Botanical Garden．