Florida Gardens

Florida is home to numerous botanical gardens that showcase the state’s rich flora, offer educational experiences, and provide opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

also see:  Directory Listings of Gardens in Florida

1. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Coral Gables): Located in Coral Gables, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is one of the premier botanical gardens in Florida. Features extensive collections of tropical and subtropical plants, including palms, orchids, cycads, and bromeliads. The garden spans 83 acres and offers diverse ecosystems, walking trails, art installations, and educational programs.
2. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Sarasota): The downtown Sarasota garden specializes in epiphytes, particularly orchids and bromeliads. The garden is known for its living collection of more than 20,000 plants, including a vast assortment of orchid species and hybrids. It also features tropical rainforest gardens, a banyan grove, and a children’s rainforest garden.
3. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (Gainesville): Located in Gainesville, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens spans 68 acres and offers a stunning display of diverse plant collections. The gardens feature a variety of themed areas, including a bamboo garden, herb garden, rose garden, and a butterfly garden. Explore nature trails, a rock garden, and a picturesque water lily display.
4. Bok Tower Gardens (Lake Wales): While primarily known for its iconic singing tower and carillon, Bok Tower Gardens is also home to beautiful botanical landscapes. The garden features lush gardens, a fernery, a reflection pool, and walking trails with stunning vistas. Its plant collection includes native Florida plants as well as exotic species.
5. Harry P. Leu Gardens (Orlando): Located in Orlando, Harry P. Leu Gardens encompasses 50 acres of stunning gardens. The garden boasts a vast collection of camellias, roses, bromeliads, and citrus trees. Visitors can explore themed gardens, including the tropical stream garden, butterfly garden, and herb garden. The Leu House Museum, a restored 19th-century farmhouse, is also part of the gardens.
6. McKee Botanical Garden (Vero Beach): McKee Botanical Garden offers a tranquil retreat with its beautiful landscapes and unique plant collections. The garden features diverse ecosystems, including a tropical hammock, wetlands, and a prehistoric garden with ancient plant species. Walk along boardwalks, admire waterlily-filled ponds, and explore the garden’s many themed areas.
7. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens (Delray Beach): Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a cultural destination that showcases Japanese art, history, and traditional gardens. The gardens feature six distinct garden styles, including a koi pond, a rock garden, and a bonsai collection. The serene landscapes offer a peaceful and contemplative experience.
8. Mounts Botanical Garden (West Palm Beach): Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden. It showcases a diverse collection of tropical and subtropical plants, including palms, cycads, bromeliads, and flowering trees. The garden features themed areas, such as a tropical fruit garden, butterfly garden, and a rose garden.
9. Sunken Gardens (St. Petersburg): Sunken Gardens is a botanical oasis nestled in the heart of St. Petersburg. It features a unique sunken landscape with cascading waterfalls, tropical plants, and vibrant flower beds. The garden has been operating for over a century and is known for its collection of more than 50,000 tropical plants, including orchids, bromeliads, and cycads.
10. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (Miami): Vizcaya is a historic estate that includes a stunning Italian Renaissance-style villa surrounded by extensive gardens. The gardens feature formal European-inspired designs, including terraced gardens, fountains, and sculptures. Stroll through the garden’s intricate pathways, admire the waterfront views, and explore the museum inside the villa.
11. Florida Botanical Gardens (Largo): The Florida Botanical Gardens is a 100-acre oasis located in Largo. It showcases a wide range of plants, including native Florida species, flowering plants, and tropical plants. The gardens feature themed sections, including a tropical fruit garden, herb garden, and a butterfly garden. Explore nature trails and enjoy picnic areas.
12. Mead Botanical Garden (Winter Park): Mead Botanical Garden is a 47-acre urban oasis located in Winter Park. The garden features a mix of natural and cultivated areas, including a butterfly garden, camellia garden, and a wildflower meadow. Enjoy walking trails, picnic areas, and educational programs.
13. Edison and Ford Winter Estates (Fort Myers): While primarily known as the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates also feature beautiful botanical gardens. The gardens showcase a wide variety of tropical and subtropical plants, including palms, orchids, and bamboo. Explore the gardens, tour the historic homes, and learn about the innovative legacies of Edison and Ford.
14. Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens (Jacksonville): The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens is a 120-acre nature preserve that offers a diverse collection of native plants. The arboretum features well-maintained trails that wind through various habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, and a lake. Enjoy birdwatching, nature photography, and educational programs.
15. Naples Botanical Garden (Naples): Naples Botanical Garden showcases a wide array of plants from around the world, with a focus on the plants and ecosystems of the tropics. The garden encompasses themed gardens, such as the Brazilian Garden, Asian Garden, and Water Garden. It also features a butterfly house, walking trails, and a variety of educational programs.
16. Pinecrest Gardens (Pinecrest): Pinecrest Gardens, located in the Miami suburb of Pinecrest, is a lush botanical garden with a rich history. The gardens feature a wide variety of plants, including native species, exotic palms, and flowering trees. Explore the butterfly exhibit, admire the water features, and enjoy the serene ambiance of the gardens.
17. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park (Tallahassee): Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is a stunning 1,076-acre park located near Tallahassee. The park’s centerpiece is the historic Maclay Gardens, featuring ornamental gardens with beautiful azaleas, camellias, and flowering trees. Enjoy walking trails, picnic areas, and access to nearby Lake Hall for recreational activities.
18. Jungle Island (Miami): Jungle Island is an interactive zoological park in Miami that also features a variety of lush gardens. The gardens showcase tropical plants, exotic flowers, and rare palm species. Explore themed areas like the Orchid Jungle, the Flamingo Lake, and the Serpentarium while learning about the diverse flora of the tropics.
19. The Kampong (Coconut Grove): The Kampong is a tropical botanical garden and former residence of renowned plant explorer David Fairchild. Located in Coconut Grove, Miami, it showcases a diverse collection of rare and exotic tropical fruit trees, palms, and flowering plants. The garden spans 11 acres and offers guided tours and educational programs.
20. Heathcote Botanical Gardens (Fort Pierce): Heathcote Botanical Gardens is a 5-acre garden located in Fort Pierce. It focuses on tropical and subtropical plants, including a large collection of bonsai trees. The garden features themed areas such as the Rainforest Garden, Palm & Cycad Walk, and a Japanese Garden.
21. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park (Palm Coast): Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a scenic park that includes beautiful formal gardens nestled among towering oak trees and along the Matanzas River. The gardens feature rose gardens, camellias, azaleas, and a unique coquina rock formation known as the “Rock Garden.” Explore nature trails and enjoy picnicking and beach access.
22. Florida Institute of Technology Botanical Gardens (Melbourne): The Florida Institute of Technology Botanical Gardens is a hidden gem located on the campus of Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. The gardens feature an array of plants, including palms, cycads, and tropical flowering trees. Enjoy the tranquil environment, walking paths, and educational displays.
23. University of South Florida Botanical Gardens (Tampa): The University of South Florida Botanical Gardens is a hidden gem in Tampa. It spans 16 acres and features diverse plant collections, including palms, cycads, bromeliads, and native Florida plants. The garden includes themed areas such as a wetland garden, succulent garden, and a butterfly garden.