25 awesome Florida botanical gardens you probably didn't know existed

The Kampong
4013 Douglas Road, Miami | 305-442-7169
Beyond the rock wall is something even the locals don’t know about—the Kampong. Famed horticulturalist Dr. David Fairchild introduced 30, 000 plant species while living here, such as mangos and bamboo. Kampong is also known for the famous Ylang Ylang tree which provides necessary oils for Chanel No. 5.

Photo via The Kampong Facebook

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami | 305-250-9133
Built on the water’s edge in 1923, this Venetian villa is a must-see when visiting Miami. A walk around the outside will have you dreaming of Europe, so just imagine the culture-overload when you check out all the art, furniture and structures should you trek inside the museum.

Photo via Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Facebook

Roji-en Japanese Gardens
4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach | 561-495-0233
“Strolling through pine forest or bamboo grove, viewing the rock formations, arrangements of plants and cascading waterfalls, pausing to ponder the quiet surface of the lake and shoreline… this is the tremendous power the Japanese gardens at Morikami Park hold for us,” so says Master Garden Designer Hoichi Kurisu. We’ll take his word for it.

Photo via Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Facebook

McKee Botanical Garden
350 US-1, Vero Beach | 772-794-0601
Many who visit McKee say this garden is unlike anything else in Florida. The sausage tree is a fan favorite, but what sets this botanical garden apart from the rest is the overload of flowing plants—water lilies, pipe vines, orchids and plenty more that could rival any sandy spot in Hawaii.

Photo via McKee Botanical Garden Facebook

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables | 305-667-1651
Why spend all that cash traveling to a rainforest when you’ve got one at Fairchild? Surround yourself with colorful orchids, giant leaves and exotic plants in this botanical garden’s very own rainforest. If that’s not exotic enough for you, the butterfly enclosure and glass art scattered around should excite the adrenaline.

Photo via Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Facebook

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
829 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville | 904-356-6857
This world famous garden is known for its dual Italian and English gardens. The Italian garden is regarded as the “jewel” for its delicately sculpted hedges, two long reflecting pools and a breathtaking view of the river just beyond the garden.

Photo via The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Facebook

Mounts Botanical Garden
531 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach | 561-233-1757
The rainbow area here is a full sun garden showcase that arranges plants in a colorful spectrum, and if that’s not up your alley, then why not check out the Garden of Extremes, a place where plants unique to extremes like weather conditions and light grow all year round.

Photo via Mounts Botanical Garden Facebook

Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens
78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach | 386-676-3347
This hidden treasure of Ormond Beach will have you feeling like you’re in a tropical rainforest in no time. While you’re sure to find many turtles and fish lurking, this establishment is also a memorial for soldiers who fought in Korean and Vietnam Wars, so be on the lookout for sculptures.

Photo via Ormond Memorial Art Museum Facebook

Palmer’s Gardens and Goods
2611 Corrine Drive, Orlando | 407-896-5951
The twinkling Palmer’s sign is a staple in Audubon park, and you don’t even need to be a “pothead” to enjoy the greenery here. The outdoor path is lined with plants, trees and flowers guided by atmospheric white lights. They’re no stranger to hosting events, so keep this cute little garden in mind when a special occasion rolls around.

Photo via Palmer's Garden and Goods Facebook

Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens
3540 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee | 850-487-4556
The colorful floral architecture enjoyed by guests today actually began in 1923 with Alfred and Louise Maclay when they purchased the land for winter vacationing. Miles of trails are perfect for biking and the nearby lake begs to be canoed in. But the real centerpiece here is the ornate reflection pool.

Photo via giannaalfanno/Instagram

Sunken Gardens
1825 4th Street N., St. Petersburg | 727-551-3102
This 100-year-old garden is a staple in the St. Pete area. It's not too big, so don't worry about getting lost as you meander around the 50,000 plants they've got growing. Be sure to feed some koi fish in the Japanese garden while you're here or scope out some Flamingos hanging around.

Photo via Sunken Gardens Facebook

Tree Hill Nature Center
7152 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville | 904-724-4646
This nature center has a bunch of different trails, but it would be a crime not to venture over their mammoth boardwalk. And get ready to pet some goats and turtles at the end of your boardwalk trek—they're the ones running the show here.

Photo via Tree Hill Nature Center Facebook

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
4700 SW 58th Drive, Florida | 352-372-4981
This garden tucked away in Gainesville has a unique variety of foliage to explore. Definitely don’t miss out on the bamboo forest, which is the largest in Florida, but what really caught our eye were the massive lily pads floating in the koi pond. And all you succulent fans can get your fair share of the plant in Kanapaha’s rock garden.

Photo via Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Facebook

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota | 941-366-5731
The Marie Selby Botanical Garden houses a plethora of different gardens, but the one we highly recommend is the Bamboo Garden. Go during the growth period and you could see a bamboo tree grow almost 40 inches in a single day. And a trip to Marie Selby wouldn’t be complete without taking a walk down the mangrove boardwalk.

Photo via Selby Gardens - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Facebook

University of South Florida Botanical Gardens
12210 USF Pine Drive, Tampa | 813-974-2329
Living and learning is what it's all about at the USF Botanical Gardens. Take a chill stroll around this 16-acre jungle or expand the mind in their medical botany research area. Pro tip: they extract honey from beehives in the fall, so it wouldn't be such a bad idea to road trip down south come August.

Photo via u.lanna/Instagram

Fruit and Spice Park
24801 SW 187th Ave., Homestead | 305-247-5727
Miami has a fierce spice game. No one could doubt that, but what you might not know is that South Beach absolutely slays in the world of fruit. This place has got mangos, bananas, grapes, guava, coffee beans, basically everything you need for a delicious homemade cocktail. Feel free to grab what you can from the earth, just don’t pluck from a tree!

Photo via Fruit & Spice Park Facebook

Edison and Ford Winter Estates
2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers | 239-334-7419
Oh, damn, just a gorgeous garden that Thomas Edison and Henry Ford used to vacation in every year. The dynamic duo spent the late 1920s here trying to find rubber trees and researching thousands of exotic plants. Edison eventually discovered rubber in the plant Goldenrod.

Photo via edisonfordwinterestates.org

Florida Botanical Gardens
12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo | 727-582-2100
The Florida Botanical Gardens is cleanly-organized, beautifully-exotic and above all educational. The Master Gardener volunteers are dedicated to promoting environmentally friendly techniques, but don’t feel obligated to take a guided tour. There are many paths to go down with something new to discover each time.

Photo via pinellascounty.org

Four Arts Gardens
2 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach | 561-655-7226
The Four Arts Gardens was established in 1938 with the intention of creating multiple gardens each with different themes. On the way to the Chinese garden, which features an elaborate moongate, is a pathway that winds path the rock garden. The Madonna garden with its formal fountain shaded by large trees is a must-see.

Photo via The Society of the Four Arts Facebook

Miami Beach Botanical Garden
2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach | 305-673-7256
Since its renovations by Raymond Jungles in 2011, this garden has been the arts and cultural epicenter of Miami Beach. The Japanese Garden is all about Feng Shui with its tranquil water lily pond, and a neighboring wetland features unique red mangroves and apple trees. On a good day you might catch a glimpse of the shy turtle.

Photo via Miami Beach Botanical Garden Facebook