Sarasota - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Nestled inside the former home of Sarasota donors William and Marie Selby, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is horticultural haven for rare tropical plants. The site is also a leading plant conservatory, particularly for epiphytes (plants adapted to live in the tree canopy, including orchids, bromeliads, ferns and gesneriads).

Since 1973, scientists from Selby Gardens have ventured into some of the world's wildest places to study these unusual plants. The Sarasota property delights more than 140,000 visitors annually, and the grounds are open 364 days a year. Today, the property is double its original size, encompassing nearly 15 acres with 12 buildings (including eight greenhouses).

There is a tropical conservatory, a towering bamboo garden, banyan groves, a mangrove bay walk, a fern garden and a koi pond. The Ann Goldstein Children's Rainforest Garden features interactive stations that allow families to explore rainforest plants and habitats.