Albin Polasek Museum and Garden: 633
Osceola Avenue,
Winter Park, FL (407)647-6294.
- The home and studio feature two
galleries, a chapel and three acres of gardens displaying works of the sculptor
Albin Polasek.
Ancient Spanish
Monastery St. Bernard de Clairvaux: 16711 West Dixie Highway,
North Miami
Beach, FL 33160 (305)945-1461.
- This picturesque ancient monastery, built in the
12th century in Spain, was dismantled and transported to Florida by William
Randolph Hearst in 1925 and assembled after his death some 26 years later. The
grounds include loggias, courtyards, and extensive formal gardens.
Audubon House and Tropical Gardens:
205 Whitehead Street,
Key West, FL 33040 (305)294-2116.
- This acre of lush
tropical greenery showcasing orchids and bromeliads also features an herb garden
and a 1840-style nursery. Trees and plants are labeled with their names and
origin and, if appropriate, their medicinal qualities.
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens: 253 Barcelona Road,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561)832-5328
-
Ann Norton's monumental, silent, mysterious sculptures built in situ over a period of 15 years were
intended to be discovered as surprises amidst the dense, jungle-like vegetation. The Gardens, designed by world-renowned
botanist Sir Peter Smithers as a rare palm garden, represent Ann's commitment to conservation and the preservation of a quiet
retreat in the midst of a burgeoning city. The Gardens' assemblage of over 250 rare palm species, cycads and unusual tropicals
is recognized as one of the largest public collections in Florida. It is a rare gift to experience the union of this
powerful art and the naturalness of the landscape.
Bird Gardens of Naples: 1060 Purple Martin Drive,
Naples, FL 34120 (813)841-1911.
- This unique sanctuary offers 5 acres of tropical plants, butterflies, song birds, and exotic parrots with
walking paths, a picnic area and pubic restrooms. Offering rescue and rehabilitation for parrots, it is located only 1 street
away from Corkscrew Swamp Audubon Sanctuary.
Bok Tower Gardens: 1151 Tower
Boulevard,
Lake Wales, FL 33853 (863)676-1408.
- This National Historic Landmark
located atop Iron Mountain, at 298' one of Florida's highest peaks, is the site
of a carillon tower and 157 acres of gardens displaying thousands of flowering
plants. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the gardens resulted from a bit of
grandmotherly advice given Edward Bok: "...Make you the world a bit better or
more beautiful because you have lived in it."
Busch Gardens: 3000
E. Busch Boulevard at McKinley Avenue,
Tampa, FL (813)987-5082.
- If you can tear
yourself away from King Tut's Tomb or the Mystic Sheiks of Morocco, visit the
Tropical Gardens with over 350 different exotic flowers and flamingos and the
Bird Gardens, a verdant aviary.
Butterfly Rainforest: Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida Cultural Plaza, SW 34th Street and Hull Road,
Gainesville, FL (352)846-2000
-
This magical
6,400-square-foot screened outdoor enclosure displays tropical plants and hundreds of living butterflies.
Don’t forget to also visit the Florida Wildflower & Butterfly Garden, located just west of the Museum,
with demonstration gardens showcases Florida's native wildflowers and their importance as host and nectar plants for Florida's native butterflies. It encourages visitors to imagine how they could transform their own yards into an inviting and colorful, yet practical and water-saving mecca for butterflies and other wildlife.
Butterfly World: 3600 W. Sample Road, Tradewinds Park,
Coconut Creek, FL
33073 (954)977-4400.
- Over 5000 butterflies dazzle visitors in the 8,000 square
foot Tropical Rain Forest Aviary. The butterflies are rivaled only by the
thousands of flowers, tropical plants and waterfalls. Outside the enclosure,
native butterflies inhabit the lovely Lakeside Garden, English Rose Garden and
Secret Garden.
Chapman Botanical Gardens: Apalachicola, FL 32320 (850)653-8219.
- This small but picturesque city
boasts a botanical garden including a butterfly garden at the historic home of a
former cotton exporter.
Cluett Memorial Gardens: Bethesda by the Sea
Episcopal Church, 141 S. County Road,
Palm Beach, FL 33480-6107
(407)655-4554.
- These gardens gracing the Episcopal Church were a 1931 gift by a
parishioner in memory of her parents.
Cummer
Museum of Art & Gardens: 829 Riverside Avenue,
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904)356-6857.
- The creator of the gardens, Ninah Cummer, was the founder of the
first garden club in Florida and her gardens demonstrate a lifetime of devotion.
Through the Loggia from the Art Museum the visitor will be delighted by he Upper
Garden (plants that thrive in Florida), the English Garden (with a tea garden,
fountain and wisteria arbor), the Center Garden, and the Italian Garden
(fountain, rose garden, jasmine arbor, reflecting pools and the Great Cummer
Oak).
Cypress Gardens: 2641
South Lake Summit Drive (1 mile off US 27),
Cypress Gardens, FL 33884
(941)324-2111.
- Amidst lakes and cypress swamps, the 200 acre family fun park
exhibits more than 8,000 varieties of plants and flowers from more than 90
countries as well as a glass enclosed butterfly conservatory (with over 1,000
butterflies in a tropical setting), an aviary, a zoo and seasonal floral
festivals.
Deerfield Beach Arboretum:
Constitution Park, 2841 West Hillsboro Boulevard,
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
(954)480-4240 or 480-4430.
- This 8 acre city arboretum, newly created, displays
labeled palms, flowering trees, native trees and exotic shade trees.
(M.E.) DePalma Park: Corner of NE 7th Avenue and NE 20th Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (800)879-5645
- This fascinating public garden, registered with the
National Wildlife Federation as a Wildlife Habitat, contains native and
other plants that attract birds and butterflies including over 100 varieties of native wildflowers and butterfly attracting trees, shrubs and plants such as:
Blanket Flower, Topical Sage, Wild Coffee,
Beautyberry, Cocoplum, Scarlet Milkweed,
Florida Mulhy Grass, Perennial Peanut Groudcover, Blue Porterweed, Penta, Slash Pine Tree, Gumbo Limbo, Wild Lime, Satin Leaf, and Mahogany.
The website has interesting facts about butterflies - did you know they
can see ultraviolet light?
Discovery Gardens: 1051 Woodlea Road,
Tavares, FL 32778 (352)343-4101
-
Run by the University of Florida Horticultural Learning Center, this well-designed botanical garden
is situated on a 3 1/2 acre site and consists of 20 major theme gardens Each
garden is designed to showcase a different
gardening aspect of horticulture in Central Florida and to demonstrate how homeowners can accomplish the landscape they want.
Gardens include Asian, Mediterranean, English Cottage, Rose, Shade, and
Hydoponic, as well as an Orchid House, Butterfly House and a "Five
Senses" learning garden for children. All plants are labeled and cultural information is available upon request at the Master Gardener Plant Clinic in the main building.
Eden
State Gardens: North of US 98 on County Road 395, P.O. Box 26,
Point
Washington, FL 32454 (850)231-4214.
- Twelve acres of grounds surround the lovely
Wesley home, site of the former Wesley Lumber Mill and now a state park. The
gardens feature moss-draped live oaks over a hundred years old, camellias and
azaleas.
Ernest Hemingway Museum:
907 Whitehead Street,
Key West, FL 33040 (305)294-1136.
- Beautifully landscaped
gardens and a Spanish Colonial home where Hemingway wrote most of his great
novels are now open to visitors and home to descendants of Hemingway's 50 cats.
Eureka Springs Gardens: Eureka Springs Park, 6400 Eureka Springs Road,
Tampa, FL 33610 (813)744-5536.
- This 31 acre botanical garden features rare and
unusual plants and a greenhouse, trellised walks, boardwalk and picnic area.
Everglades
Wonder Gardens: 27180 Old US 41,
Bonita Springs, FL 34135-5405
(941)992-2591.
- A natural history museum features grounds with botanical gardens
and trees from around the world, not to mention exotic birds, panthers,
alligators, flamingos, bears and otters.
Fairchild Tropical Garden: 10901
Old Cutler Road,
Coral Gables (Miami), FL 33156 (305)667-1651.
- This 83 acre
botanical research and education center displays extensive collections of rare
tropical plants including palms (more than 712 species), cycads (more than 218
species), flowering trees, tropical fruit trees and vines. Features include
Windows to the Tropics (a 16,500 square foot conservatory), the Montgomery
Palmetum and the Bailey Palm Glade, McLamore Arboretum (a ten-acre display of
tropical flowering trees), the Lynn Fort Lummus Endangered Plant Garden, the
Keys Coastal Habitat (a 4 acre naturalistic garden), the Gate House Museum of
Plant Exploration, and a rainforest exhibit (including People of the Rainforest,
an ethnobotanical exhibit) and more.
Flamingo Gardens and Arboretum: 3750 S. Flamingo Road,
Davie, FL 33330 (954)473-2955.
- Sixty acres of citrus groves, subtropical forest and botanical
gardens showcases native and exotic plants and is home to a free-flight aviary,
butterfly garden and xeriscape garden. Take a 1.5 mile narrated tram ride
through hammocks, wetlands and citrus groves and see the alligators and
flamingos.
Florida Botanical
Gardens at Pinewood Cultural Park: 12520 Ulmerton Road,
Largo, FL 33774
(727)582-2100.
- This new facility will consist of 160 acres with a multitude of
gardens at the current site of the Pinellas County Extension Office.
Florida Institute of
Technology Botanical Garden: 150 W. University Boulevard,
Melbourne, FL
32901 (800)888-4348.
- The campus displays beautifully landscaped grounds and more
than 200 species of palm trees. Thirty acres along a stream are devoted to
tropical gardens, a lush Florida forest of palms, water oaks, orchids, and
tropical vegetation.
Fort DeSoto Park:
3500 Pinellas Bayway South,
Tierra Verde, FL 33715 (727)866-2484.
- This full
service park is situated on 5 interconnected islands.
Fragrance
Garden: 7330
Gladiolus Drive,
South Fort Myers, FL (941)432-2000 or (941)463-9356.
- Touch and
smell the wonderful scents of native and exotic plants and walk a fruit and
spice path in this 277 acre public park. This garden will soon be expanded
into the Lakes Park Botanic Garden.
Fruit and Spice
Park: 24801 SW 187th Avenue,
Homestead, FL 33031 (305)247-5727.
- The unique
30-acre public facility exhibits over 500 varieties of fruits, vegetables,
spices, herbs, and nuts from around the world. Visitors can find 100 varieties
of citrus, 65 varieties of bananas, 40 varieties of grapes, 60 bamboo varieties,
and numerous other exotic edibles and can, literally, munch their way through
this fabulous park.
Gamble
Plantation and Historic Site: 3708 Patten Avenue,
Ellenton, FL 34222
(941)723-4536.
- The mansion of this former sugar plantation, now a state park,
is surrounded by 16 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds.
Gifford Arboretum:
University of Miami Campus, Corner of San Amaro Drive and Campo Sano,
Coral
Gables, FL 33146 (305)284-5364.
- This 50 year old arboretum, named after the
first graduate forester in the U.S., has recently undergone extensive
improvements.
Gizella
Kopsick Palm Arboretum: North Shore Drive at 10th Avenue Northeast,
Saint Petersburg, FL 33713 (727)893-7335.
- This 2 acre city arboretum now displays
more than 200 palms and cycads representing some 45 species from around the
world, and it (and the trees) continue to grow.
Gulf Breeze Zoo: 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway,
Gulf Breeze, FL
32562 (850)932-2229.
- This friendly zoo features 700 animals surrounded by botanical gardens
with walking paths.
Harry P. Leu Gardens: 1920 N. Forest
Avenue,
Orlando, FL 32803-1537 (407)246-2620.
- Miles of paths meander through 50
acres among ancient oaks, forests of camellias and giant camphors. Gardens
includes the largest Camellia Collection and formal Rose Garden in the South, a
herb garden, a butterfly garden, a palm garden, and a bamboo garden.
Heathcote Botanical Gardens:
210 Savannah Road,
Fort Pierce, FL 34982 (561)464-4672.
- 3 1/2 acres is all
that's left of this former nursery, but it's enough for lovely gardens that
feature paths bordered by orchid trees, a palm walk with more than 40 species,
numerous beds of intensively planted ornamental annuals, an herb garden and an
authentic Japanese Garden featuring a pond, bonsai display and many oriental
plants.
Helen Lind Garden:
Lemoyne Art Foundation, 125 North Gadsden Street,
Tallahassee, FL 32301-1594
(904)222-8800.
- The Helen Lind Garden at the Foundation is the setting for
LeMoyne's collection of outdoor sculpture.
Historic Spanish Point:
337 North Tamiami Trail, P.O. Box 846,
Osprey, FL 34229 (941)966-5214.
- This
museum complex and archeological site showcases the creativity of Bertha Palmer,
who preserved the pioneer dwellings and Native American remains while creating
lovely garden landscapes, including the Sunken Garden and Pergola, the Duchene
Lawn and the Fern and Jungle Walk with the scenic aqueduct.
Ichimura Miami-Japan Garden: North side of Watson Island off MacArthur
Causeway,
Miami, FL (305)662-8008.
- This city friendship garden, created in 1961
and renovated in 1988, features an 8 foot hight granite statue of Hotei, a
smiling god of prosperity, plus stone lanterns, an arbor, three bridges, and 500
orchid trees.
Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens: 1445 Millcoe Road,
Jacksonville, FL 32225.
-
This 120 acre arboretum is located on the site of an old strip mine. Now a
peaceful place of natural beauty, the arboretum offers trails through
the woods, by creeks and a lake, and naturalistic gardens.
Jacksonville Zoological Garden:
8605 Zoo Parkway,
Jacksonville, FL 32218 (904)757-4463.
- More than 800 rare and
exotic animals are features on 70 acres of landscaped grounds.
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art:
5401 Bay Shore Drive,
Sarasota, FL 34243 (941)3599-5700.
- The Museum is modeled
on a Renaissance Tuscan Villa with an arched loggia that surrounded a courtyard
with lovely gardens and reproductions of Renaissance statuary.
The Kampong: 4013 S.
Douglas Road,
Coconut Grove, FL 33133 (305)442-9318.
- Kampong, a site of the
National Tropical Botanical Garden, was the home of an avid plant collector who
traveled the world looking for useful and beautiful plants. The grounds contain
significant collections of tropical fruit cultivars and flowering trees.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens: 4700 SW 58th
Drive,
Gainsville, FL 32608 (352)372-4981.
- The 62 acre site overlooking
beautiful Lake Kanapaha displays 19 completed gardens (including a Butterfly
Garden, a Vinery, a Hummingbird Garden, an Herb Garden, a Rock Garden, a Water
Lily Pond, and Water Gardens). A 29 acre arboretum is under development.
Key West (Joe Allen) Garden Center
and West Martello Tower: Atlantic Boulevard and White Street,
Key West, FL
(305)294-3210.
- The ruins of this Civil War fort and National Historic Site are
home to the Joe Allen Garden Center and Key West Garden Club. Growing amidst the
ruins are native and exotic trees and plants, including blooming orchids and
bromeliads.
Koreshan State Historic Site: Corkscrew Road off US 41,
Estero, FL 33928
(941)992-0311.
- This riverside park contains the physical remains of a Utopian
Community including a restored historical building and gardens.
Kraft Azalea Gardens: Alabama Drive off Palmer Drive,
Winter Park, FL
(407)623-3334 or (407)599-3334.
- An 11 acre public garden on the shores of Lake
Maitland.
Lake County
Horticultural Learning Center: Discovery Gardens, 30205 SR 19,
Tavares, FL
32778-4262 (352)343-4101.
- The Gardens are currently under construction so please
call ahead for an appointment. The site will display Discovery Gardens (plants
appropriate to Central Florida displayed in a park-like setting) and special
collections of herbs, flowers, roses, low maintenance landscape material, fruits
and vegetables, sub-tropical plants, aquatic, wetland, and shade-loving plants.
An oriental-style garden and large children's garden with a maze are also
planned.
Lauderdale Lakes Community Garden Club: 4319 NW 51 Avenue,
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319 (954)739-0695.
- Community gardens provide a wonderful spot to grow food and flowers with all the benfits of a little socializing
thrown in. The enthusiasm of this club is shown all over its Facebook page, linked above.
Lowry Park Zoological Garden:
7530 North Boulevard,
Tampa, FL 33604-4756 (813)935-8552.
- On this 24 acre site
in colorful lush surroundings are found the largest concentration of native
Florida wildlife exhibited in the state.
Maclay State Gardens:
3540 Thomasville Road,
Tallahassee, FL 32308 (904)487-4115 or (904)487-9910.
- In
designing these gardens, Alfred Maclay mingled native plants and exotic plants
to create a setting of tranquil beauty. Although the gardens were designed to be
in bloom during the winter and early spring when the family was in residence,
Maclay emphasized the more subtle contrasts in texture and color. Special areas
include Oriental Magnolias, a Walled Garden, a Secret Garden, an Azalea
Hillside, a Camellia Walk, a Reflection Pool Vista and a Lake Walk.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: 811 S. Palm
Avenue,
Sarasota, FL 34236 (941)366-5730.
- The historic Selby estate contains 15
distinct garden areas including the Bamboo Pavilion, Banyan Grove, Baywalk
Sanctuary, Bromeliad Display, Cacti and Succulents, Cycad Collection, Hibiscus
Garden, Palm Grove, Tropical Display House, Tropical Food Garden, Waterfall
Garden and Butterfly Garden. The Mansion serves as a museum with botanical
exhibits.
McKee Botanical Garden:
350 U.S. Hwy. 1,
Vero Beach, FL 32962 (772)794-0601.
- 18 acres of restored tropical gardens (formerly the McKee Jungle Gardens) features subtropical jungle hammock,
filled with plants appropriate for horticultural growing zone 9B. This dense and diverse collection
also showcases several restored architectural treasures.
Mead Garden:
Garden Drive off Highway 17-92,
Winter Park, FL 32789 (407)599-3358.
- Mead is a
55-acre urban garden, complete with a beautiful stream, birds, and hundreds of
native and exotic sub-tropical plants.
Merrick House and
Gardens: 907 Coral Way,
Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305)460-5361.
- The 1899 home
of the founder of Coral Gables, George Merrick, has been restored to its 1920s
appearance. The 1.3 acre grounds feature herbs and native fruits and flowers.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden: 2000
Convention Center Drive,
Miami Beach, FL 33109 (305)993-2024.
- This city
botanical garden, in the process of renovation, features 4 1/2 acres of tropical
and sub-tropical plants.
Miami
Metrozoo: 12400 SW 152nd Street,
Miami, FL 33177 (305)251-0400.
- Over 700
fabulous wild animals in a lush, subtropical cage-less environment (on small
islands resembling their natural habitats, surrounded by moats) can be viewed
from tram tours, behind the scene tours, and a monorail.
Monkey Jungle: 14805 SW 216 Street,
Miami, FL 33170 (305)235-1611.
- This 10 acre "biopark" where the monkeys run free
and the humans are enclosed in walkways includes 4 acres of Amazonian rainforest
with South American plants. The park is in the process of rebuilding after
Hurricane Andrew.
Montgomery
Foundation Botanical Center: 11901 Old Cutler Road,
Miami, FL 33156
(305)667-3800.
- The Foundation is dedicated to establishing scientifically
valuable collections of palms and cycads and to make them available for research
by scientists. The collections include over 5,500 palms representing more then
350 species and over 3,500 cyads representing more than 135 species. The site is
open by appointment to scientists, educators, students, historians, and
organized botanical groups.
Morikami Museum
and Japanese Gardens: 4000 Morikami Park Road,
Delray Beach, FL 33446
(561)495-0233.
- Donated by a early Japanese settler, Morikami Park offers 200
acres of tranquil pine forest, nature trails, lakes and waterfalls, shaded
picnic pavilions, Japanese Gardens and bonsai collections.
Morningside Nature Center: 3540
E. University Avenue,
Gainsville, FL 32641 (352)334-2170.
- An heirloom garden
and 225 species of wildflowers are among the attractions at this Living History
Museum.
Mounts Botanical Garden: 531 N.
Military Trail,
West Palm Beach, FL 33415-1395 (561)233-1749.
- This thirteen
acre site, a joint project of Palm Beach County and the University of Florida,
offers landscapes of tropical trees, tropical fruits, lush tropical foliage, and
native Florida plants. Collections include tropical fruit, citrus, roses, palms,
shade and flowering trees, herbs, rainforest and poisonous plants.
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden: One
Free School Lane and Elizabeth Street (between Southard and Fleming Streets),
Key West, FL 33040 (305)294-0015.
- This artists' garden contains a collection of
rare tropical plants and tropical birds.
Naples Botanical Garden: 4820 Bayshore Drive,
Naples, FL 34112, (239)643-7275, (877)433-1874.
- Transformed from a strip mall and parking lot, this
outstanding 170 acre site
features 70 acres of delightful cultivated tropical gardens (including
A Children's Garden, a Brazilian Garden, a Caribbean Garden, an Orchid
greenhouse and Butterfly house, a Florida Garden, and an Asian Garden) and
the Preserve, 90
acres of seven beautifully restored natural habitats. Plantings include
over 1000 varieties of orchids, 900 varieties of fruit, palm and other
trees, 900 kinds of cyads, 100 heliconia, and 300 varieties of plumeria.
Two lakes and an extensive wetland add to the garden's delights.
Naples Zoo
at Caribbean Gardens: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road,
Naples, FL 33940 (941)262-5409.
- One of
the oldest tropical gardens in the U.S., the 52 acre site along Alligator Bay
and Lake Victoria features a mile long path of tropical plants and large mature
trees with exotic and more familiar animals along the way.
Naturecoast Botanical Gardens: 1489 Parker Avenue,
Spring Hill, FL 34606 (563)449-2277
-
Featuring Florida friendly and native plantings, this delightful botanical garden offers
22 themed gardens on 3.5 acres with a 1 acre plant nursery. Many plants are labeled, and mulched paths facilitate strolling
through the gardens while benches offer a place to stop and enjoy the views. A picnic area has tables. Features include
a miniature railroad circling a waterfall and pond with a miniature town at the back of the waterfall.
Nehrling Gardens: 2267 Hempel Avenue,
Gotha, FL 34734 (407)445-9977
- Dr. Henry Nehrling founded Florida's first
experimental botanical garden in 1885 as a tourist attraction, then
later tested over 3000 tropical and sub-tropical plants and introduced
over 300 into Florida's landscape including palms, caladiums,
hybrid amaryllis, crinum, lilies, bamboos, hybrid magnolias and gloriosa
lilies. Now on the National Register of Historic Gardens, the
remaining 6 acres is undergoing rehabilitation and is open
for tours by appointment only. The estate showcases
historic plantings of giant palms, bamboos, bromeliads and Cycad with a
tree canopy that is over 125-years old and contains giant Podocarpus
Nagi, Auricaria Bidwilli, hybrid Magnolias, Oaks, Cedars, and other
Florida Natives.
Oldest House: 14 St.
Frances Street,
Saint Augustine, FL 32084 (904)824-2872.
- Continuously occupied
since the early 1600s, the site of the Oldest House offers Ornamental Gardens
contain plants typical of those grown by Spanish, British and American occupants.
Ormond Memorial Gardens and Art
Museum: 78 E. Granada Boulevard,
Ormond Beach, FL 32174-6358 (904)676-3347.
- Created with donated labor of World War II veterans, the site became the first
war memorial in Florida after World War II. The botanical garden, maintained by
a garden artisan, combines native plants and exotic flora and features small
ponds, the Peacock Fountain, a gazebo, and a new waterfall.
Palm Hammock Orchid Estate: 9995 S.W. 66 Street,
Miami, FL 33173 (305)274-9813.
-
"Miami's secret garden", this nursery is an oasis of serenity
showcasing a selection
of rare and tropical plants. Features include a Butterfly Garden, waterfalls, water gardens, container gardens,
orchids, begonias hoyas, ferns, water lilies and other exotics.
Pan's Garden: Worth Avenue,
Palm Beach, FL
-
Located between a commercial and residential area, this 1/2 acre botanical garden was created by the
Preservation Society of Palm Beach and features upland and wetland areas designed to display indigenous trees, shrubs,
grasses, and wild flowers in naturally occurring relationships to each other. The garden showcases more than 300 species of native plants, many
of which are endangered.
Cultivars of native species are planted in seasonal floral display areas to highlight possible choices for home landscaping.
Parrot Jungle and Gardens: 11000 SW
56th Avenue,
Miami, FL 33156 (305)666-7834. T
- These lush tropical gardens,
situated in a lovely setting of cascading waterfalls, meandering streams and a
serene lake, display over 1,200 varieties of exotic plants including heliconias,
bananas, orchids and bromeliads. Within this jungle setting can be found a large
collection of tropical birds, exotic reptiles, indigenous mammals and endangered
baby apes.
Ravine
State Gardens: Twigg Street,
Palatka, FL (904)329-3721.
- The only formally
landscaped state park, the 59 acres of ravines were planted during the WPA era
with over 95,000 azaleas of 64 varieties, 11,000 palm trees and more than
250,000 ornamental plants complemented by extensive fieldstone terraces, rock
gardens and massive cypress building construction is typical of the time.
Rockefeller Gardens:
The Casements Cultural Center, 26 Riverside Drive,
Ormond Beach, FL 32176-6520
(386)676-3216.
- The former home of John D. Rockefeller, the Casements is a
cultural center with two acres of graciously restored Gardens.
Sarasota Garden Club: 1131
Boulevard of the Arts,
Sarasota, FL 34236 (941)955-0875.
- The historic home of
the Garden Club is surrounded by a garden that features a 1/2 acre pond, a
Butterfly Garden, a Children's Haven, and a Quiet Garden.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens:
3701 Bay Shore Road,
Sarasota, Florida 34234 (877)861-6547.
- This family park
features 10 acres of gardens displaying native and exotic flora together with
some Florida fauna.
Sensory Garden and Butterfly Garden: Bill Dreggors Park, 230 North Stone
Street,
Deland, FL
- This lovely sensory garden was created by the Garden Club
of DeLand for the benefit of the visually impaired and physically handicapped. A
nearby butterfly garden attracts butterflies.
Society of the Four Arts: 2
Four Arts Plaza,
Palm Beach, FL 33480 (407)655-7226.
- Dedicated to encouraging an
appreciation of art, music, drama and literature, the Society also offers
horticultural gardens and the Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden. Designed as
demonstration gardens to display tropical plants suitable for landscaping in the
South Florida climate, the gardens include a Chinese Garden (with a moongate and
authentic statuary), a rock garden, a Spanish facade with its decorative well, a
Madonna garden, a formal fountain, a fragrant rose garden and small herb garden.
South Florida Museum, Bishop
Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium: 20110th Street West,
Bradenton,
FL 34205 (941)746-4131.
- A reproduction of Hernando DeSoto's sixteenth century
home in Spain includes a lovely Spanish Courtyard. Don't miss "Snooty" the
Manatee.
(George and Ann) Sturgeon Memorial Rose Garden: Serenity Gardens
Memorial Park, 13401 Indian Rocks Road,
Largo, FL 34644 (813)595-2914).
- This
cemetery contains an All America Rose Selections accredited rose garden.
Subtropical Horticulture Research Station: 13601 Old Cutler Road,
Miami, FL
33158
- This U.S. Dept of Agriculture Research Station focuses on tropical plants,
especially economic ones.
Sugar Mill Gardens: 950 Old Mill Road,
Port Orange/Daytona Beach, FL
(904)767-1735.
- The ruins of a sugar mill and 40 year old dinosaurs from a former
theme park are surrounded by 12 acres of botanical gardens, maintained by the
Botanical Gardens of Volusia.
Sunken
Gardens: 1825 Fourth Street North,
St. Petersburg, FL 33704 (727)896-3186.
- This botanical garden, one of the oldest in the state, dates back to 1903 when
back to 1903 when George Turner, Sr., began to convert a five acre tract along
Fourth Street North into a botanical garden by draining a pond. The fertile pond
muck, 10 feet below street level, was developed into a nursery and later a
tourist attraction. Over 4,000 varieties of plants representing virtually every
tropical and sub-tropical country in the world and up to 50,000 annuals are
displayed every year at the gardens.
Thomas Edison Winter Home &
Laboratory: 2350 McGregor Boulevard,
Fort Myers, FL (941)334-3614.
- The
inventor's fourteen acre riverfront estate exhibits the original furnishings,
laboratory and botanical gardens of rare and exotic tropical vegetation
including a banyan tree that is four hundred feet around.
Unbelievable Acres
Botanic Gardens: 470 63rd Trail North,
West Palm Beach, FL 33413 (561)242-1686.
- A subtropical rain forest, developed from 2-1/2 acres of pasture land in 1970,
featuress 5 state champion trees - a Jaboticaba Tree, a Shingle/Dinnerplate Tree, a Cashew Tree, a Cannonball Tree and a Loquat Tree,
as well as plants from around the world and a tree canopy extending 100 feet high.
University of Central Florida
Arboretum: 4000 Central Florida Boulevard,
Orlando, FL 32816-2368
(407)823-2978.
- This 80 acre arboretum features 12 acres of gardens (including a
Rose Garden, Greenhouse, Conservatory Compound, Cycad Garden, Palm Collection,
Bromeliad Sanctuary, Swamp Habitat, Fern garden, Wetland Plants Display) as well
as a Sandpine-Wild Rosemary Scrub, Longleaf Pine Flatwoods, Oak Hammock, Oak
Scrub, Palm Strand, Pond Pine Community, Cypress Slough, Cypress Dome, Black Gum
Pond, and a 9 Acre man-made Lake. The web site answers that age-old question --
what is an arboretum?
University of
South Florida Botanical Garden: Location: Pine and Alumni Drive, Mail:
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SCA 238,
Tampa, FL 33620-5150 (813)974-2329.
- Current
displays include hardy palms, a Bromeliad Garden, an Herb Garden, a Butterfly
Garden, a Carnivorous Plant Bog (Yikes!), a Riparian (Wetland) Forest, a Fruit
Orchard, Flowering Trees, a Rain Forest Shade Garden, a White Sand Scrub and a
Conservatory. A collection of rare Begonias can be seen by appointment. The
labels are colored coded to denote native (red), exotic (blue) and edible
(green) plants.
Vizcaya Museum:
3251 S. Miami Avenue,
Miami, FL 33129 (305)250-9133.
- This Italian Renaissance-style 34 room villa (a
winter residence) features over 10 acres of formal gardens and
fountains. Visitors can view the gardens by moonlight. Walt Disney
World: P.O. Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Site of an All
America Rose Selections Display Garden, located in the Magic Kingdom
between Cinderella's Castle and Tomorrowland. There are more than 100
varieties and 13,000 rose plants throughout Walt Disney World.
Washington Oaks State Gardens: 6400 North Oceanshor Boulevard, (south of
Marineland),
Palm Coast, FL 32127 (904)446-6780.
- An oak hammock nestled between
the ocean and a river provides a unique garden setting for an abundance of
native and exotic plants. Magnificent live oaks shade gardens filled with lovely
camellias, azaleas, and roses. Citrus trees surround the perimeter.