12 Beautiful Botanical Gardens
Florida is home to a diverse array of tropical plants and flowers. The climate is ideal for species such as hibiscus, bougainvillea, lilies, and flowering citrus trees to bloom throughout the year. With more than 40 botanical gardens from coast to coast, you don't have to travel far to see this gorgeous flora. Plan a visit to one of these twelve beautiful botanical gardens on your next Florida vacation for a relaxing stroll among the flowers.
Naples Botanical Garden
Naples Botanical Garden features 170 acres of tropical gardens with plants from around the world. Immerse yourself in different cultures as you walk through the themed Asian, Brazilian, and Caribbean gardens.
The Asian Garden features a Thai Pavilion overlooking a lotus flower pool and includes a range of Southeast Asian botanicals, such as bamboo, sacred figs, and temple trees.
Enjoy the jungle atmosphere of the Brazilian Garden with South American palms, leafy aroids, and colorful bromeliads. Tropical fruits like bananas, pineapple, and papaya are scattered throughout the Brazilian Garden, along with a fragrant vanilla orchid trellis.
The Florida Garden includes native species and other plants that thrive in the Sunshine State, and the Water Garden has a colorful water lily pool with an outdoor concert venue. The Ghost Orchid Boardwalk, located in the nature preserve, has several native orchid species. Paved paths and sandy trails lead you through the nature preserve, where there are over 300 rare native plant and animal species, including the threatened gopher tortoise.
naplesgarden.org
2. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens contains 45 acres of lush bayside gardens divided between two locations.
The Downtown Campus has 15 acres and is located on Sarasota Bay. It is the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to displaying and studying tropical plant species such as epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and gesneriads. Stroll through a bayfront mangrove walkway to see rainforest and desert plants as well as native Florida plant life. This site also features a majestic banyan grove, a tropical bamboo garden, a peaceful koi pond, and a colorful butterfly garden.
The 30-acre Historic Spanish Point Campus in Osprey is one of the largest public preserves containing native Florida plants. Here, you can learn about local native and pioneer history and view a vast collection of plants curated from Sarasota County and the surrounding areas. Visit the Sunken Garden and enjoy spectacular views of Webb's Cove, Little Sarasota Bay, Casey Key, and Siesta Key from Cock's Footbridge.
selby.org
3. The Kampong Garden
The Kampong Garden is part of a network of botanical gardens overseen by National Tropical Botanical Garden, which is dedicated to the research and preservation of thousands of tropical plant species in Florida and Hawaii.
Located on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, Florida, The Kampong Garden features a variety of tropical fruit cultivars and flowering trees from locations around the globe. Plant collections from Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and the Caribbean include exotic fruits, such as candle fruit, peanut butter fruit, egg fruit, cocoplums, and more than 50 types of mango.
Other tropical plant species include the Talipot palm, giant banyan figs, and several kinds of fragrant flowering plants and trees, such as ylang-ylang, Jasminum, and Plumeria.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the garden in a self-guided tour, or learn more about the legacy plantings of David Fairchild and how his plant collections influenced the American diet.
ntbg.org/gardens/kampong/
4. Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden
The Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden was also named for renowned botanist David Fairchild, and most of the plants growing there today are from his original specimens. Landscape architect William Lyman Phillips gave the garden an informal design for a more natural feel.
The Fairchild was named the Best Botanical Garden in North America by USA Today in 2021, and it contains one of the most thorough collections of tropical plant species in the world. There are over 3,400 species of beautiful tropical plants throughout the garden, which spans for more than 83 acres. With thousands of flowering shrubs, trees, vines, and other plants, there is always something blooming throughout the year. Fairchild is also the international headquarters for the American Orchid Society.
Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden boasts the only outdoor tropical rainforest in the United States, as well as a recreation of Madagascar's Spiny Forest. A spectacular view of the garden's lakes can be seen from the Overlook, and there are several plant exhibits to choose from, including the Water Garden, which features Victorian lilies, the Arboretum full of colorful flowering trees, shrubs, and vines, and an Arid and Succulent Garden. Fairchild is also family-friendly, as they have a special Children's Garden that encourages interaction with the plants as well as educational opportunities to learn more about nature. Don't miss the Tropical Plant Conservatory and Rare Plant House, where you can see the rarest tropical plants you won't find anywhere else.
fairchildgarden.org
5. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Located in Tallahassee, the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens offer breathtaking floral architecture. Take a relaxing stroll along the scenic brick walkway, where you will encounter a secret garden, a reflection pool, and a walled garden. Plant species include hundreds of camellias, azaleas, dogwoods, magnolias, and a wide variety of other flowering trees with peak blooms from December through April.
In addition to the beautiful botanical gardens, there are lots of other amenities to keep the whole family entertained, such as a museum, equestrian trail, boat ramp, picnic pavilion, wildlife viewing, and swimming and fishing in Lake Hall.
floridastateparks.org/MaclayGardens
6. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
If you're looking for a relaxing destination to unwind, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens allows you to experience Japanese culture with six distinct gardens. Each garden is modeled after a specific historical Japanese period and style. Stroll over stately arched bridges and stone pathways to see hundreds of flowering trees, shrubs, and plants nestled among pagodas, stone lanterns, and calm lakes. Enjoy the bright blooms of Crepe Myrtles, Cherry Blossom trees, Azaleas, orchids, camellias, and lilies. The Morikami Japanese Gardens offer a calming experience as you immerse yourself in Japanese culture through the peaceful gardens. The Bonsai Exhibit teaches you about the history of these exquisite container plants, and there are even classes where you can learn to shape your own bonsai. Traditional Japanese rock gardens, water features, and bamboo and pine forests gracefully adorn the gardens for a truly serene setting.
In addition to the historic Japanese gardens, there is a museum on the premises where you can learn about the history of the Yamato settlers who came to Boca Raton in 1904. Finish your excursion with a trip to the gift shop, where you may purchase apparel, jewelry, and exquisite items for your home and garden. With constantly rotating exhibitions, monthly tea ceremonies, and traditional Japanese celebration events, there is something new to see at Morikami throughout the year.
morikami.org
7. Coconut Creek Butterfly World
Coconut Creek Butterfly World features stunning botanical gardens and more than 20,000 species of butterflies and birds! Inside, you will find a vine maze with colorful Jade, Allamanda, and Blue Butterfly Sweet Pea Vines. The tropical rainforest features stunning waterfalls and plants like African tulips, Lobster Claw, and Madagascar Jasmine. Outside is a beautiful and expansive rose garden, a bridge that spans the lake, and vibrant blooms from Dancing Lady Orchids, pink Cassia trees, candlebush, and scarlet milkweed.
Butterfly World is a great place to take your kids because there are several interactive exhibits and educational opportunities like the Butterfly Museum, Bug Zoo, and Lorikeet Encounter, where you can interact with these colorful birds up close and personal. There is also a Garden Center where you can purchase plants to create a butterfly haven in your own garden.
butterflyworld.com
8. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens first opened to the public in 1953 and is a Historical National Landmark. Over 10 acres of formal gardens, a native forest, and a mangrove shore sprawl across the grounds of the museum. The European-inspired formal gardens are modeled after French and Italian gardens from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The interior of the mansion features a courtyard of Italian stone fountains and a tropical environment with a variety of lady palms, magnolias, and orchids. The Orchidarium contains several species of over 2,000 vibrant Vanda, Moth, and Oncidium orchids, which are also found throughout the gardens in oak trees and other areas of the estate.
Outside, a topiary-lined path leads you to the historic formal rose garden, featuring a working Italian stone fountain from the early 1900s. The restored rose garden exhibits eight new rose beds with over 85 plants. Roses range from old-world species such as Chinas, Damasks, and Teas, as well as newer hybrids, which are more disease-resistant. The variety of fragrance and color is a delight to the senses. Some recently-planted rose varieties include the Beaute Inconstante, Soul Sister, Chrysler Imperial, Perle d'Or, and many others.
The Vizcaya Village Farmer's Market also has free yoga classes on Sundays, so you can relax and unwind.
vizcaya.org
9. Eden Gardens State Park
Eden Gardens State Park was once part of the historic Wesley homestead, and spans over more than 163 acres of land. While the restored Wesley House is the focal point of the park, the ornamental gardens are the main attraction. Hundreds of Camellias and Azaleas dot the landscape, with colorful blooms from October through May. Eden Gardens contains a heritage rose garden, butterfly garden, hidden garden, and a reflection pond with several species of water lilies and koi fish. The property is surrounded by moss-draped oaks, longleaf pines, and cypress trees.
After strolling through the beautiful gardens, you can have a picnic lunch or go fishing from the dock at Tucker Bayou. There are also guided tours of the Wesley House, where you can learn about the historical significance of the property and surrounding gardens.
floridastateparks.org
10. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
An oak forest surrounds winding reflection ponds lined with colorful Camellias, Azaleas, and Bird of Paradise, as well as other native and non-native tropical plant species. Washington Oaks is also known for its unique shoreline of coquina rock formations along the beach, making it a haven for beachcombing, tide-pool exploration, and photography. Monthly programs include First Friday Garden and History walks as well as Second Saturday plant sales.
Washington Oaks offers something for everybody, with other amenities including hiking trails, birdwatching, and fishing.
floridastateparks.org
11. Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens is home to the Wray Botanical Collection, with more than 3,000 tropical, subtropical, and native plant species. A hammock of 200-year-old live oaks leads to naturalized wetlands and one of the last natural jungle habitats in Florida. There are 60 acres of gardens with more than 1,700 plants. Flamingo Gardens has the largest collection of Florida Champion Trees, including the largest in existence at 102 feet tall.
As one of the largest orchid collections in Southwest Florida, there are thousands of these beautiful plants. Orchid species include Cymbidiums, Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, and Vandas. With exotic hybrid species and native plants, orchid blooms can be observed throughout the year.
The Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden gives refuge to Ruby-Throated hummingbirds in the winter months as well as rare species of butterflies, such as the South American Malachite and pink-spot sulfur butterfly. The garden is filled with a variety of tropical fruit trees, flowering plants, and shrubs.
Other exotic gardens on the premises include the Fragrance Garden, Croton Garden, Ginger and Heliconia Gardens, and Tropical Fern Garden.
In addition to the beautiful botanical gardens, there are several wildlife habitats featuring crocodiles, river otters, birds of prey, and, of course, flamingos.
flamingogardens.org
12. Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower Gardens features historic landscaped gardens and its renowned Singing Tower. Ferns, palms, oaks, and pines line the garden path leading to lush foliage of camellias, azaleas, and magnolias. The Olmsted Gardens offer romantic and serene rest areas with breathtaking views of the Singing Tower, which chimes its bells every day at one and three pm. Hammock Hollow Children's Garden offers water features, colorful plants, climbing areas, and more for children to play and explore. Visit the Kitchen Garden, complete with a fruit orchard, grape arbors, and raised beds for herbs and vegetables before enjoying the culinary delights of the Outdoor Kitchen. Visit the gift shop for a selection of natural skincare products, jewelry, souvenirs, apparel, and wall art. Complete your visit with a tour of the historic Singing Tower, where you can go all the way to the top to see the bell chamber.
boktowergardens.org
