A Spectacular Day at Beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

When you visit the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, step into the peaceful world of a tropical paradise with palms, orchids, mangroves, bromeliads, and ferns. Taking up 15 beautiful acres on the shores of Sarasota Bay and boasting more than 20,000 plants this impressive botanical paradise is heaven for plant lovers.

Lily Pond Garden

As you enter the garden, step to your right and see the Lily Pond Garden filled with ducks and water lilies. The flowers of waterlilies native to Florida are usually yellow or white and can be seen amongst the leaves at or above the water’s surface. Cultivated waterlilies can have flowers in shades of purple and blue.

Waterfalls

As you stroll through the oasis, you’ll discover different gardens such as an herb garden, an orchid greenhouse, bonsais, and a rainforest garden. The landscaping is gorgeous and is a relaxing way to spend the day.

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is one of the largest subtropical conservatories in the world. With fantastic views of the Bay, visitors can enjoy a fun and relaxing atmosphere in this outdoor oasis.

Tropical Conservatory

The conservatory—one of eight greenhouses on site—looks and feels like a tropical rainforest. The lush, colorful displays change based on which plants are in bloom, providing a different experience on each visit. The conservatory is home to carnivorous plants, such as Venus flytraps and pitcher plants, that have survived in nutrient-poor environments by consuming insects. The hot humid conditions here allow stunning orchids to thrive here.

Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest

Selby Gardens has a special area designed just for kids. This magical play space features an elevated garden that gives the sensation of traveling through the treetops. Suspension bridges, and caves for exploring offer opportunities for learning about rainforest plants. There are treehouses for aerial views, and a waterfall adds a soothing sound that enhances the rainforest ambiance.

The Exotic Banyan Tree

Some of these majestic trees were planted nearly a century ago. Their spectacular aerial roots, which grow downward and eventually serve as secondary trunks, allow the trees to spread out laterally. Banyans have been used as shaded places where people can relax together, a tradition carried on daily by Selby visitors.

Mangrove Walkway

Although Selby Gardens features many exotic plant species, one of its most magnificent attractions is the mangroves native to South Florida. This bayfront boardwalk helps visitors examine the intricate stem and root systems of the red, black, and white mangroves that adapted differently to the challenges of living along the shoreline.

But don’t spend all your time looking down towards the water, or you’ll miss breathtaking views of Sarasota Bay, Bird Key, and downtown Sarasota.

This area is also home to many native plants and wildlife, making it a popular spot for birdwatching and nature enthusiasts. Since Selby Gardens is located on a peninsula, there are stunning views of Sarasota Bay with seating areas where you can relax and enjoy the view.

Fern Garden

A circular walking trail winds through this peaceful spot, where a diverse showcase of low-lying ferns provides cover for scampering lizards, while the Australian tree ferns tower above and staghorn ferns make their home in the tree canopy.

Sho Fu Bonsai Exhibit

Another must-see area of Selby Gardens is the Bonsai exhibit. These miniature trees mimic life as small-scale versions. The surrounding towering Florida trees are giants in comparison.

Bamboo Garden

The Bamboo Garden is another tranquil spot within the gardens. Bamboo shoots can grow as much as 40 inches per day during their two-month growth period,

Who was Marie Selby?

Marie Selby was the first woman to cross the United States by automobile. She also had this 15-acre garden named after her in Sarasota, Florida. Marie was adventurous. Married to an oilman (William Selby), she traveled extensively but permanently moved to Sarasota in 1921. They bought this property on Sarasota Bay and built a simple two-story white house. Today, the home is a Cafe.

The Botanical Gardens came to be two years after she died and is one of the largest subtropical conservatories in the world. 

Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden was designed for the sole purpose of attracting these winged crusaders. In addition to its beauty, the garden also helps reestablish the native butterfly population. The best time to see butterflies is in the summer when they are at the peak of their life cycles.

Payne Mansion

The historic Payne Mansion is another highlight of Selby Gardens. The Payne mansion is a large white home, with columns and a large porch. The Payne Mansion was built in 1934 as a retirement home for Christy Payne when he left his father’s business, Standard Oil of New Jersey. There are rocking chairs where visitors can relax and often special displays inside for viewing.

Koi Pond

Young visitors love feeding the hungry, colorful fish that swim around this pond with its gently babbling waterfall. The Koi Pond is one of the loveliest spots in the garden. The pond also has plants like the spiral ginger, elephant’s ear, and native bald cypress.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a plant lover, or simply looking for a serene spot to unwind, Selby Gardens has something for everyone. From the tropical conservatory to the bonsai exhibit, the bamboo garden to the Baywalk, there are endless opportunities to explore and discover the beauty of this botanical paradise.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL

After visiting the gardens today, I will add Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to my post “Connect with Nature at Florida’s Beautiful Botanical Gardens”.