The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida (USA) has a wonderful Orchid Display House as well as a beautiful and varied garden
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a not-for-profit organization that specializes in tropical plants, especially epiphytes, which are plants that grow on others. This includes over 6,000 orchids. They range in size and color from delicate blooms in pastel shades to large brightly colored ones.
The orchids which are probably the readily recognized are the Cattleya family. These are the flowers with an open mouth and five large pointed petals to the side and top. They come in a wide range of colors from pink and crimson to purple/white with leopard spot petals, to delicate pinks and mauves.
Apart from their beauty orchids do have two other uses. One is for the fragrance which some produce and which is used in perfumes. The other is for the production of vanilla flavoring. Unsurprisingly these are called Vanilla Orchids.
The Gardens
From the Orchid Display House it is a delight to step out into the gardens of this property overlooking Sarasota Bay. There are seats for relaxing and admiring the garden or watching the birds in the shallows. These often include egrets, sandpipers and blue herons. And, of course, noisy gulls of various types.
The gardens include the Bamboo Pavilion with the reeds sounding like wind chimes in the breeze, the Banyan Grove (that vast tree whose roots grow down from the branches) and the Cactus and Succulent Garden. Then there is the velvety lawn with flowerbeds of whatever annuals are in season.
William and Marie Selby
Marie Selby and her husband William (who married in 1908) were from Marietta, Ohio, and moved to Sarasota in the early 1920s. Mr. Selby had visited the area before his marriage and loved the beauty of west coast Florida. Following their marriage he took Marie to Sarasota and she agreed with him, consequently they purchased seven acres of land.
When they moved to Sarasota these multi-millionaires built a Spanish-style 2-story house and Marie proceeded to landscape the garden. These included borders of flowers along the roadway which led to the tip of the peninsula on which the home is situated, and a large rose garden.
William Selby died in 1956 and Marie continued to live in Sarasota until her death in 1971. She bequeathed her home and garden to the community and the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens have been open to the public since 1975.
Opening times and admission
The gardens are open every day (except Christmas) from 10.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.
Admission: Adults - $12/children (6-11) - $6.
Location and Directions
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are at 811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
From Interstate 75 take Exit 210 (Fruitville Road) west. At US-41 (the end of Fruitville) turn left, drive through three sets of traffic lights, get into the right lane, take the first right on Palm Avenue (just after the large curve).
Other beautiful gardens that can be seen in Sarasota are at the Ringling Museums, north of the Botanical Gardens, near the airport.
Further south in Fort Myers is the Thomas Edison Winter Home with yet more wonderful gardens.
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