Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota

This is a lovely Garden in a metro area. They focus on preservation and education about the local flora and fauna. Gardens are well-maintained with a beautiful Lily Pond, a wonderful subtropical recreation with (I believe) Banyan trees which is a nice multi-level experience allowing you to take in the views and learn about the various levels of growth of plants from the ground to the Treetops. There's impressive number of orchids and other air plants so don't forget to look up to appreciate these beauties! They have a good array of classes and special events, including the most recent Orchid show and holiday lights and an upcoming presentation by Patti Smith in the sister property in Osprey. I was torn between a five star and a four-star rating because I signed up to be a member, and without warning I discovered that they were under construction and access to the grounds are limited on a rotational basis. That stinks but membership benefits the improvements in the garden. The renovation plans are exciting including a brand new Greenhouse that should provide an exciting experience when complete. They do try their best to still provide a worthwhile experience while they're under construction and I don't mind the membership donation because it does support as well as the research that they do worldwide to preserve and protect flora. They do have a lovely little cafe that gets great reviews I haven't visited it yet but I do enjoy their gift stop. It's thoughtfully stocked with a lot of educational items and some Whimsical items. There's plenty of stuff for kids to enjoy so if you're not interested in putting out the money don't take them in there! Of course proceeds benefit the gardens they're a little bit pricey but they do have quality Goods. It's a nice little Oasis in the city and well worth the visit. I'm going to head down to their sister campus to check that out soon

Absolutely beautiful! The Orchid Show was amazing! Love the butterfly garden as well. The Hugging Tree is wonderful and the huge green lawn is so inviting along with all the benches along the way to stop and rest amongst the beauty. The new restaurant is great too. Loved our salads and butterfly tincture drinks!!

We visited Marie Selby Gardens – Lights in Bloom and were completely enchanted from the moment we arrived. The beautifully designed lights transformed the gardens into a magical wonderland and created an absolutely breathtaking atmosphere. Every corner felt thoughtfully curated and full of charm. It was wonderful to see how much there was for children to enjoy as well, making it a perfect experience for the entire family. I have never seen so many stunning lights displayed in such a unique and elegant setting. One of the highlights was the Wishing Tree, where guests could tie wishes in different colors — such a creative and heartwarming idea that added a truly special touch to the evening. This event is an absolute must-see and can only be highly recommended. We will definitely be returning and would like to extend a big thank-you to the entire team for the incredible effort and attention to detail that went into creating such a memorable experience.

Nice, but lacking in a cohesive theme as one walks the gardens. There seems to be no real starting point, no natural flow as you traverse the grounds. Each area is beautiful, each area is pleasant - but a more guided, suggested path for the guests would enhance the experience. Also, it’s a bit pricy for what you get, and the one ticket does not give access to their nearby satellite facility. However, the food and ambiance at the main cafe restaurant is very good, particularly the turkey/bacon sandwich.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My daughter and I had such a great time at the Selby Gardens Christmas light experience. Roaming the lights along the water was absolutely magical — every turn was beautiful and peaceful. The gardens are stunning on their own, but the holiday lights make it feel extra special. What a gorgeous place to make memories together. We’ll definitely be back! 🎄✨

We went to see the orchids and were duly impressed. The display was very nicely done. When my wife and I went to the intriguing exhibit by Rebecca Louise Law unfortunately, being sensitive to fragrances, I could not enjoy the display. We toured the rest of the grounds at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the shade and cool ocean breezes. Absolutely amazing place. The flora is exceptional.

What a lovely hidden gem in a bustling city setting. So unexpected but so glad we discovered this beautifully designed gardens of native Florida plants, trees and flowers. You could spend hours waking through the scents and sights. This is a must for any nature lovers.

Beautiful place to be. The parking is easy to navigate and there is a small gift shop below the garage. I explored the gardens and there were many butterflies out. There was a little cafe on the property and the women working the counter was very kind. There is a beautiful banyan tree with bridges and things for children to play with like musical instruments. There is a lovely gazebo where it looks as though wedding as held inside with stained glass above which was very pretty. A peaceful place to walk 🌺.

I want to share this exceptional botanical garden to celebrate my 1500th review. My review is for the Downtown Sarasota campus located on the edge of Sarasota Bay. This is a well-planned and executed 15-acre botanical garden focused on native South Florida plants and flora. The entrance is contemporary Florida graced with epiphytic orchids -- plants with roots not in soil that obtain water and nutrients from the air. The walk through the gardens includes mangroves on Sarasota Bay, succulents, a rain forest, a fern garden, and more. Epiphytic plants abound. Rare orchids and bromeliads can be fund in the conservatories. This location is the former Sarasota home of William and Marie Selby. Their house is now a Café. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a "must visit" for visitors to Sarasota. Garage parking, restrooms and gift shop are available on-site.

Beautiful place the entire staff was very attentive grate place to take the kids or just walk in a peaceful place.

What a beautiful garden! We got there about noon. The garden was not packed at all. It was a beautiful day. They were setting up for their Christmas lights. Some areas still little damaged from hurricane but they are working on it. It was very peaceful and inviting. We ended up buying the membership so we can go back and enjoy more later!

Even though the lights are amazing and the display outstanding, I have to say I was disappointed that the one light they seem to ignore is the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, who is the reason for the Christmas season. Without a Nativity scene, or any celebration of His birth, it all seems pretty meaningless. Sorry. Maybe I missed it?

The botanical garden is amazing. It has multiple areas to appreciate different plants that include orchids, cactus, palms, bonsais, and more! It has a small art gallery, small game area for the family, and also perfect places to relax and look the ocean. Highly recommended for a family weekend in Sarasota!

Uninspiring Tourist Trap Garden that advertises itself as a great attraction with aspiring views when in reality it's a flower less garden with limited services and its greatest view is seeing your own car when you leave.

This place is incredible, an absolute must-see in Sarasota. There's so many amazing plants, like orchids and bonsai trees and mangroves. The layout of everything is well done. It's next to the bay so there's nice views of the water. You can tell the plants are very well taken care of. There's also student discounts available.

I came here for a fun day trip and absolutely loved my time here. The Selby Botanical Gardens are beautiful! The minute we walked in we were welcomed by so many kind staff members. The place is beautifully maintained. All the landscaping was beautiful. Teachers get in for free! They have a covered parking garage too which is really nice. This is the perfect place to visit on a day trip or to be outdoors with friends/family. I'd love to come back and see if they have seasonal exhibits for the holidays.

A very well laid out, well designed, well populated and well maintained foray into Florida's numerous species, right in Bay Point; great for visitors, very walkable.

What a beautiful garden! Its a lovely way to spend a day enjoying incredible flowers and grounds...I was privileged to be there for the Orchid showings. so many in full beautiful bloom! Inspired me to buy a few in the gift-shop to take home as well! Lunch in their Cafe was delicious! The poor single staffed lady was working so hard to ensure everyone got a delicious meal. The day was absolutely Perfect!

Beautiful garden. I highly recommend it for locals and visitors alike. It's a very calm place, and the volunteers are friendly. By the way, Florida teachers can get in for free!

The food is amazing and the prices are perfect. The service is awesome. You won't regret dining there

A well-run, nicely landscaped garden. It has plenty to look at and a great view of Sarasota.

A must-visit in Sarasota! Honestly, I wasn't too hyped because I've seen my fair share of botanical gardens, but needed a morning activity. Marie Selby Garden ended up stealing the show - my trip's highlight! A couple of exhibits were closed for renovations, but no complaints since they hooked it up with an entry discount. The mangrove walk and waterfront strolls were lovely, but the Children's Rainforest Garden stole my heart with its waterfall and canopy walk - seriously well done! And that Bay Fig tree was incredible. And the bonsai tree exhibit was delightful! A great way to spend a few hours and enjoy the beauty of nature. Don't miss this gem in Sarasota!

Very Very beautiful... it's hard to describe so you have to come see for yourself. I'm ashamed of my plant game at home now.. I must do better...

Recently purchased a membership which I think has increased in price by 25% over the last few years. Walked in to find that 75% of the place is closed due to the recent hurricane. I understand that is out of their control but total joke that they still charge full price and didnt even mention this. Was thinking about buying tix to see their x-mas lights and realized that the member price is only discounted $5 from the non-member price (from $44 to $39). What a joke and a ripoff. I will NOT be renewing, so not worth it.

It's been quite a few years since I enjoyed the Lights in the Garden at Selby Gardens. Most of the year one can wander through the beautiful inside building, looking at orchids and other exotic plants, but from Thanksgiving through the Christmas and New Year holidays, Selby turns the grounds into a sparking wonderland. The Lights in the Gardens show starts at 5:30, after the regular buildings close at 5. This is logical as the lit up gardens are meant to be admired and enjoyed after dark. One wanders along well worn pathways to admire the lighting displays. There are whimsical flowers and "garden creatures", like butterflies, made out of strings of colored lights. There are plenty of benches to sit and relax and a few vendors selling coffee, kettle corn, cocktails, and ice cream. There is also a small restaurant with a limited sandwich menu. There is an early entry at 5:30, but if you enter at 6:30 or later(last entry is 8p.m.) is $10.00 less for adults. I do not remember the entry cost for children, and under 2 is free. Closing is at 9p.m. Be sure to stop and listen by the bamboo grove as the wind makes them touching each other into a nature musical treat.

Local to Sarasota and this is my new favorite spot! Large grounds with different kinds of gardens, desert, rainforest, butterflies, beach views, it's much bigger than expected! The gazebo areas are perfect for wedding venue but I'm not sure if they offer that service! Must try this spot for your next outing or even walk! The gift shop is beautiful not touristy, they have orchids you can purchase, books, and hand crafted jewelry! This was incredible experience. The map is a little unclear so I'm sure there's areas we did not explore that we look forward to discovering!

I have always enjoyed visiting this botanic garden, and the Tiffany exhibit made it even more beautiful. The exhibit features the glass works of Louis Comfort Tiffany and is showing through June 25 at the downtown Sarasota location. The glass flower gazebo is not to be missed, and the glass pieces mixed in with the orchids in the tropical conservatory are stunning. The gardens have incredible views of the bay and many areas to just sit and take in all of the natural beauty.

I went to Selby Gardens in Sarasota for this first time this morning. It was in the high 80s by the time we got there but there was enough shade around the gardens to make it enjoyable. What a scenic park with very friendly staff.

What a lovely gem in Sarasota! One of the loveliest smaller city based gardens with such well planned different gardens and activities to keep the attention of all ages. The orchid house, cactus gardens highlighted with the Tiffany inspirations, plenty of seating near the bay, under banyan trees, or at the cafe. The treehouse and swinging bridge, hidden paths, all sorts of surprises to let you feel that you are on an unique path of exploration. Free valet until the lot is full so arrive early and beat the heat. Don't miss the additional Tiffany collection in the house. The items are beautiful and varied to illustrate his many talents. Glad we visited there last to enjoy the air conditioning as well! Looking forward to checking out the holiday lights later this year!

Just happened to catch the Louis Comfort Tiffany exhibit and learn how the beautiful flowers and plants inspired his works. The gardens are well laid out on a path that winds around the grounds. The Tiffany displays are stunning. I spent two hours wandering around, taking it all in. There was a wonderful band playing on the lawn and chairs were plentiful if you cared to sit and listen. There are benches scattered about for resting. Sarasota Bay is visible on the trail. Kids corner, koi pond, rainforest garden, banyan grove, and many species of trees, flowers, succulents, along with a bonsai exhibit. Selby Gardens are a must-see! Adult entry for non-members is $26. Valet parks your car for free (tip is expected). Nice gift shop.

This was my second time to the gardens and I have to say they are beautiful, and now especially with the new addition of the cafe where I enjoyed the best Poke bowl I've had in FL. The ingredients were super fresh, plate are good size, service was great and good ambiance. A nice patio to lunch outside on a beautiful day.

Beautiful botanic gardens with amazing orchids and great coffee shop! Came here twice in a week as it was that gorgeous and peaceful.

This garden is a beautiful. It is not top of the notch but definitely has it charm. It is definitely a local charm. The parking is free valet next to the garden. They are building a new building with parking garage. The visit need approximately 1.5 to 2 hours minimum. Compound is not too big which have enough walking to do. In the middle of the garden is a children play ground include tree house, suspension bridge, swing, hand on musical instrument. It is good for the children. I like banyan tree next to the cafe. The root of the tree is something to take a photograph with. The garden is next to the bay which make it pleasant to walk. The entry fee is good that match the size of garden. They do have some interesting bonsai. The green house garden is a must to visit.

This was a great experience. We enjoyed lunch before (oddly you need to buy a ticket before they will let you into the restaurant). The food and service were spot on. The grounds are gorgeous and well laid out. The difference I noticed with this botanical garden is the specific zones were well-plotted and designed. There was nice flow overall but each zone was distinctive.

Only few areas are open to public due to storm . They have the nerve to charge you full price ..the places open orchid. There are only so many same purple orchids I can look at. Then gallery with few pics of course purple orchids . Very pricy ..not worth the time

Love the afternoons here. They had a lovely Tiffany exhibit that was very informative. Lots of variety in plants and scenery. The holiday light exhibit is magical and they had booths with treats and hot chocolate. Giant Jenna and chess were out for fun and games. They have an amazing boat tour you can take for the day that goes all the way to Spanish point to visit their sister location. Seems like there is always something different every time I go. A membership is highly recommended, plus then you get a discount I. The gift shop!

Quiet, peaceful & a feast for the eyes!! My husband & I got married there and the service was gorgeous. Seemed like everything was blooming! We had our pictures taken under the huge Banyan tree & they were spectacular! We had it catered by Nellie's (another treasure) The staff of Marie Shelby's are professional & so knowledgeable. We ate in the mansion so the rooms divided everyone. There were no assigned seats & people just gravitated to those they were close to & honestly, there wasnt a hitch during the entire event! A perfect day!

Outstanding botanical gardens specializing in orchids and rain Forrest plants. The grounds are beautiful and about to get more beautiful when the new expansion project is completed. Selby Gardens offers something for all ages- even kids have their rain Forrest area with elevated paths through the trees. The Patti Smith/Robert Mapplethorpe exhibit showcases the creative juices the director possesses as this seemingly unlikely pair enhances the presentation of the plant species, Food is provided by Michael's on East so it's not your ordinary museum burgers and fries fare. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and will definitely return.

This is a gem. The gardens are beautiful. I love the huge treehouse. It's fun even if you don't have kids we also enjoy the orchid house and the bonsai trees.

One of the best botanical gardens I have been to and I have been to several gardens across the counrty. We spent about 3 and a half hours leisurely pursing the indoor and outdoor areas. Absolutely loved the special Tiffany glass exhibit that intermingled stained glass with nature. It was crowded but not overwhelming crowds. They only have complimentary valet parking, so it took a few minutes to get to the drop off point but a very nice service. The children's rainforest was great, a succulent garden was very nice as was the butterfly and fragrance gardens, a really nice bonsai exhibit, Koi pond and Banyan tree Grove. And a nice gift shop. Throughly enjoyed this garden and the exhibits. Highly recommend.

I'm crazy about orchids, and my local conservatory has a reciprocal membership with the Selby, so off I went. It is just fantastic. I think I spent about 4 hours here. I came on the first day of the Tiffany exhibit and it was very crowded, but enjoyable! The living lampshade is unbelievable and the glass house was beautiful. If I lived here, I'd come all the time!

We had a few hours before a late afternoon flight so stopped here, roughly ten minutes from the Sarasota-Bradenton airport (SRQ). What a great surprise! This well laid out and maintained garden features a wide variety of tropical and subtropical plants, some of which will be familiar and others will surprise. The strongest collection is of orchids, with many lovely plants in bloom. The paths form a loop around the property, it took my group about an hour to make our way around the loop. A mansion serves as a small museum, which currently features some Tiffany glass pieces--definitely worth a look. There's a small cafe at the center of the garden with ample outside seating. Overall this was a great choice

The pics online looked more impressive. We visited in early October which might just be a bad time to go. It was worth a try but expected more. Had to wear a mask inside but outside it was up to you. There was man made waterfall and you can see the bay and a big bridge. Very tropical greenery and some cool trees but not lots of flowers. They cut down 90 trees which I thought that was awful especially for a botanical garden.

This is such a beautiful space. Between the landscape and the view, it is a must do if you are in the area. The little one enjoyed it all as well. From the koi pond to the Children's Rainforest to the flowers. He would run up to each flower he saw and would be so happy he would squeal. As of it was a scavenger hunt and he was winning.

Surprisingly bigger than expected BG on SRQ bay. I've visited Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota several times over the years. Popular it is and MSBG offers something for everyone. A tropical greenhouse, a pond with fun sculptures, a rope swinging bridge, a cacti garden, native plants, Pyne House exhibits and well curated gardens throughout. I've seen a butterfly garden, their take on Lichtenstein, Monet's garden at Giverny and Dali exhibits among others. The curators definitely have a sense of humor with unexpected amusing displays. Besides verdant gardens, you can get nice views of the Sarasota Bay and the Ringling Causeway Bridge. If you get hungry, there is a cafe with patio seating by banyan trees. On the way out, Selby Gardens has a decent gift shop at the entrance / exit that includes live plants. If you are an orchid lover, this is a good place to get specimens. Members get a discount so if you buy a lot then be sure to get a membership! Price is $10-20 on SRQ gardens in the Osprey area. Members and children younger than 5 get in free. Staff are friendly here. Parking is across the street and free. Selby Gardens is a pleasant well manicured oasis to stroll through with picturesque views of Sarasota Bay!

Very pretty grounds but there were multiple parts that were shut down and they didn't offer any type of a discount for it. Normally I wouldn't care but the gardens are so small that it took us about 40 min to walk the whole thing because of it. If the admission was about half the price I would give this place a much higher rating but it just isn't worth the price of admission to walk around some flowers for under an hour. I have been to some amazing botanical gardens (Santa Barbara) where the admission was less and it took hours to walk thru. They need to either substantially add to the grounds and have more variety or they need to come down on the price of admission.

Love it!! went here during summer as it caught our attention, and I wouldve regretted not visiting here! the scenery was wonderful, and they had art around the place, and even a koi pond, which was my favorite. They have a mangrove ish spot where theres a dock to see the sarasota bay. And at the end a spot with the Hudson bayou on the side. For the kois, you can buy pellets in these bags for a dollar, and they actually show that they care about the koi, instead of maximizing revenue, by timing the feedings, like you can buy pell at 10AM, 2PM, and 5PM. they also have a shop of their own with beautiful plants, in which we bought a bromeliade

I think it's a waste of money to pay $25 and walk around and see something that should actually be free. That's just my my take on it. 25. A person to walk around a small area of a park that should be free. Most other places I've ever been. It was free Just my two cents. If you enjoy stuff like that, pay the $25 go see it. If you're retiring, you're on 65 is only $5. That's a better value for me. I can see if it was donation. You can donate and go but not for $25 a person and you're in Florida. It's crazy!

Bottom Line: 15+ acres of a beautiful garden with views of Sarasota Bay. My visit to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens was largely to fill time and to get some sunshine since my Oriole's Spring Training game was cancelled. I wasn't sure what to expect but I absolutely loved visiting this garden. Here is what I enjoyed the most: - Pretty, green scenery and vistas - Seeing lots of birds - a blue heron, ibis and a very sociable egret - Views of Sarasota Bay especially from the point of land at the bay and the Hudson Bayou - The koi fish - usually I am neutral but they were so colorful - The whimsical treehouse and fun rope bridge in the Children's garden - The architecture of the Payne House - The mangrove trees and the wooden walkway that meanders through it - The lovely gift shop with fun puzzles, pretty paper and yummy soaps The garden has special exhibits and when I visited it was called "Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith: Flowers, Poetry, and Light." I definitely appreciated the creativity of the exhibit and it was very . . . unique. The greenhouse portion of the exhibit was crowded with a traffic jam of people so that definitely wasn't for me. Part of the exhibit showed plants in framed shadowboxes and that was definitely neat. The gardens includes the former homes of both Ms. Marie Selby and her neighbor Mr. Christy Payne. Marie Selby's Spanish-style home was built in the early 1920s and now houses an exhibit about her (which sadly I missed) and a cafe. Christy Payne's mansion was built in the early 1930s and to me it looks somewhat colonial and somewhat Georgian but the terrazzo floors inside are surely neither. I would love to be able to tour the inside of the Payne Mansion, beyond the current exhibit, as it seems to have really neat architecture. At first I thought the $25 admission price was a bit steep but with so much beauty to explore it seemed ok. Plus, I guess it will help fund their adjacent expansion. Overall, this is a lovely garden and a gem of Sarasota.

Our first visit, and everyone, including the custodial staff, were warm snd friendly. The Gardens are setup to be Covid safe and require masks over the nose for all guests, and maintain social distances. There are clean restrooms, a food truck and a cafe run by Michael's on East, and a host of attractions for children (including a children's garden with rope ladder and interactive stops) and adults, with separate audio tours using dial in at various spots. Bonsais Garden, art exhibit, fern garden, butterfly garden, river walk, mangrove path, and flowers and plants galore await you. There are so many spots with a bench that call out "come relax here" - bring your headphones or just listen to nature. We will likely sign up as members so we can support and enjoy this wonderful place!

Beautiful gardens and amazing views of downtown Sarasota and Sarasota Bay. Highly recommend.

First time visit and really loved it. This is NOT a huge botanical garden but it's packed with beautiful plants, vistas, and discoveries. Very well maintained. Friendly staff. They also merged with Spanish Point so I think you can do both now as a guest or member. Parking is off a nice brick residential feeling side street adjacent to downtown. Once past the entry area, to one side is a lovely greenhouse. There is a great audio tour if you want to learn a lot, tune in, or tune out. Scan the QR with your phone. Back on the inside outside, there were lots of neat areas and views on a lovely mansioned canal AND on the other side / end on the intercoastal. Many of the specimens are labeled. And there were often good tidbits of info. They also plant lots of annuals to add color splashes in parts. There's a desert garden, Florida habitat, formal gardens, edible area as well as a terrific swinging bridged and water feature area. Super fun! Also some art installations. My lil liked spinning the globe marked with a heart for SoTa (Sarasota). The garden has some fun history and the old residence now functions as a gallery. Colorful poison dart frog and hummingbird masks from a tribe in Costa Rics were on view for my visit. They also habe great educational and special events. Do sign up for their newsletter!!! Lots of great volunteer opportunities and it's well coordinated (I did the orientation for it via Zoom a while back). We all very much enjoyed our visit and I'm looking forward to going back mamy times. It's a nice 2 - 3 hour visit or more if you want to read or relax. Wasn't too crazy busy even on a Sunday, but I recommend going off hours if you can so you have it to savor as much as possible all to yourself. It's a real treat: Foxglove, kumquats, orchids, palms, water views, manicured lawns, quiet scenice areas and birds. Don't forget to look up. We loved the beautiful orchid flowering in a tree. Also pushing the buttons to hear different sounds of local wildlife. Sweet details. Not huge or the grandest botanical garden to be sure, but quite well manicured and curated. See you here next time and at Spanish Point. Huzzah!!!!

We have been making an annual trip to Longboat Key for about 15 years. On the way there, we pass signs for the Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens. This year, we actually went there, instead of just continuing on our way. I'm so glad we did! The property belonged to Marie Shelby, and is located on the shores of Sarasota Bay. In 1973 gave her formrt home to the city of Sarasota. Shore birds abound, making the views even more special. Also on the grounds is the Chrissy Payne mansion. There is a very simple snack bar that sells an assortment of "homemade" type goodies, with indoor and outdoor seating. The gift shop sells a broad assortment of what you would expect, plus orchids, pots and many other plants. I wasn't sure how smoothly things would run there since we were still in the midst of the global pandemic. We got there relatively early...about 10:30...at least for us. The gardens were pretty empty. We never felt the least bit crowded anywhere on the property. Docents inside the 2 homes on the property made sure there was always plenty of space between visitors. We entered the garden through the greenhouse, filled with orchids, bromeliads and other epiphytes, (air plants). It is the only botanical garden dedicated to the study and conservation of epiphytes. This was truly a nice intro to the gardens. On the grounds are more than 6000 orchids. The gardens were divided into all different types: bamboo, koi pond, succulents, a banyan grove, fernsThere is a children's rainforest garden, painting classes, yoga classes and is set up for weddings and other events, both public and private, with a gazebo on a lovely lawn. We spent a delightful few hours there before having to head home, across Alligator Alley to SE Florida.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is located on the shores of Sarasota Bay. It is a center for education, research, and conservation. Selby gardens is the legacy of Marie Selby who was born in 1885 in West Virginia. She and her husband Bill moved to Sarasota in the 1920's. Marie was passionate about horticulture and she was a charter member of Sarasota's first Garden Club. The couple lived here for more than 50 years in a modest home they built even though Bill had a family fortune from Selby Gas and Oil that merged with Texaco in the 1940's. The couple established the William and Marie Selby Foundation in 1955 to educate youth and children and offer programs for all ages. Marie passed away in 1971 leaving her property to the Sarasota community. The garden was founded in 1973 and officially opened to the public on July 7, 1975. After Marie's death it was decided that the property would be used to study epiphytes otherwise known as air plants. They are plants that grow on other plants. Today there are more than 92,000 epiphytes in their herbarium collections. Research is still a core mission of the garden today. Eventually the original seven acres expanded north and west and now the garden is 15 acres. On the property are research buildings, display gardens, and the Museum of Botany and the Arts in the Payne Mansion. You can still see today the bamboo along the bay and the banyan trees in front of her house that Marie planted. Selby Gardens is still known as a leader in the research of epiphytes which include African violets, orchids, ferns, and bromeliads. Each year Selby Gardens visits the tropics of the America to identify new plants for science. The garden is noted for a collection of more than 6,000 orchids. As you explore the garden you walk on paved trails that meander beneath tall stands of bamboo and past collections of palms until you reach ten display gardens. Along the way you will see some of the best views of the Sarasota Bay that exist in the city. Gardens include a banyan grove, butterfly garden, edible garden, fragrance garden, bamboo forest, mangrove walkway, native Florida tidal lagoon, and a desert succulent garden. The newest attraction at Selby Gardens is the Anne Goldman children's garden. It has a waterfall, huts, swinging bridges, and a treetop camp set up in the towering ficus trees. I love how this was included in the garden to appeal to children who might otherwise find a botanical garden boring. The historic 1934 mansion owned by Christy Pyne is now the Museum of Botany and the Arts. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 25, 1998. The museum offers rotating exhibits and it was closed during my visit because it was being set up for the upcoming orchid show. The Selby House Cafe in the restored house where Marie Selby used to live is a great place to grab a quick sandwich or pastry which you can eat while enjoying the beautiful view of gardens. The conservatory is a premier greenhouse where international plants are showcased but unfortunately it too was closed for the orchid show. They did discount the normal $20 admission to $15 to compensate for the closed parts of the garden. On your way out you can stop by the garden shop for botanically inspired souvenirs. I really enjoyed my visit to Selby Gardens. It is a true Sarasota Jewel. I saw plants I knew about and some I have never seen anywhere else. Depending on how in-depth you want to make it a visit, it can take as little as an hour or last all day. If I was local I would definitely attend the orchid show which is $25. If you are a Bank of America card holder you can get into the garden free the first weekend of the month but special events are extra so for the orchid show you would have to pay $5 surcharge. I hope to make it back someday to see the parts I missed. If you are in the Sarasota stop by and visit the home and gardens Marie Selby so loved.

Went to see the holiday lights and it was just a gorgeous place to stroll around. The gardens are just amazing

Absolutely beautiful!! The new garage and renovations are impressive and well thought out! The experience is soooo much better with those improvements ( which were so controversial BEFORE they were implemented ). Cudos to those who designed and carried out the remarkable plan!

Absolutely beautiful. It is a refreshing relaxing lovey place to visit and learn. The guided tour was truly education and our guide had such personality. The orchids are just gorgeous!! The gift shop has so many things to choose as a souvenir. The price is very affordable! The added Christmas decorations made the visit even more beautiful!