Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

One more place to enjoy near Sarasota in Florida

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, formerly owned by amateur gardener Marie Selby, became open to the public in 1975 following her passing. This beautiful garden focuses on epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants. It boasts an extensive collection of outdoor gardens with a wide variety of plant species and over 20,000 plants housed in eight greenhouses. Visitors can explore an array of flora, including ferns, bamboo, banyan trees, and orchids.

Sarasota Bay offers a peaceful setting and picturesque scenery that many travelers find delightful. However, some past visitors felt that the attraction’s grounds were beautiful but lacked something special. Families with children will appreciate the kid-friendly areas on the property, such as the Butterfly Garden and the Children’s Rainforest Garden. These areas feature a combination of plants, swinging rope bridges, a field research station, and caves. Other notable spots to explore include the Epiphyte Garden with its koi pond, the Banyan Grove, and the boardwalk lined with mangroves.