Naples Botanical Gardens
Naples Botanical Gardens showcases subtropical South Florida gardening, you simply must go, it's absolutely beautiful!
Interesting and unique gardens from around the world are also featured, and there is a children's garden as well.
On their 170 acres, the botanical gardens also include preserves that represent Florida habitats such as wetlands and the Everglades. It truly is a paradise!
Plan to spend the whole day touring the gardens,
having lunch at the snack bar, and exploring the walking paths in the preserves.
And, I would suggest that you go during the year when it's cooler out so you can linger and enjoy each and every garden
The entrance to the gardens is filled with colorful tropical plants that lead you to the visitor's center.
After entering through the visitor's center, you can start with the Children's Garden or head to the Brazilian Garden.
The gardens are connected by a path that loops around back to the visitor's center.
The first garden that we looked at was the Brazilian Garden, with a waterfall and ceramic mural by famed Brazilian landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx.
Pathways meander around the waterfall and scuplture, which is surrounded by ponds of lily pads and tropical garden plants.
The Caribbean Garden is next, with a cute little house that is a replica of a laborer's cottage and is surrounded by flowers, citrus trees, and plants.
You can then take a walk through the Palm Garden, or walk under a vine-covered arbor while viewing the River of Grass Garden that runs down the middle of Naples Botanical Gardens.
At the end of the garden, there are paths that lead to the lake and the Jungle Garden, Dry Garden, and Salt Garden.
The Florida Garden is circular, and is planted with Florida's state tree, the sabal palm; silver palmettos, bougainvillea, and other native tropical garden plants.
The Idea Garden is an experiment for the best ways to grow and maintain flowers, vegetables, and herbs in Southwest Florida.
The Contemplative Garden is amidst citrus and different fragrant trees and includes a labyrinth for a relaxing and meditative walk.
In the Asian Garden, stands of bamboo surround a sculpture garden and the New Asia Pergola.
Pathways lead to a temple from Thailand in a water garden, where you can see hibiscus, ferns, gingers, palms, and gardenias.
You will also see plants like jute and spices that are used in commerce.
Then you can walk over to the Javanese ruins, an Indonesian megalithic court, and a Balinese shrine.
The temple and buildings in most of the other gardens have places to sit in the shade to cool off and rest if you need to, or just to enjoy the lovely scenery.
There are also water stations located along the pathway in some of the gardens.
The Water Garden features water lilies, papyrus, and lotuses. A boardwalk crosses over the pond and that is where special performances are enjoyed by visitors to the gardens.
Last but not least is the Children's Garden. Kids can splash and play in the fountain of water jets, run around in a tiki hut jungle-jim treehouse, play in the miniature Florida Cracker playhouse, swing, walk through the butterfly house, and discover hidden treasures in the "junkyard" gardens.
There are also several paths to the 90-acre Preserve from many of the gardens.
You may want to check out the Birding Tower, go to the Uplands where 50 gopher tortoises live and where native plants, some of them endangered, are being catalogued and researched.
A gift shop is in the visitor's center, there are many events at the gardens and they can be rented for private events like weddings, corporate retreats, etc.
The Naples Botanical Gardens are open everyday from 9AM-5PM. Admission is $12.95 for adults, $7.95 for children 4-14, free for members and children 3 and under.
They have tours 11AM every day, call ahead to schedule group tours.
Scooter rentals are available for those who need assistance walking.
The snack shop is open November-April, and has the Brazilian Garden waterfall as a perfect backdrop.
Naples Botanical Gardens
4280 Bayshore Drive
(239)643-7275
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