The Naples Botanical Garden was recently expanded and renovated. The property now covers 170 acres, including a 90-acre wetland preserve. You can take a casual stroll around the main gardens or hike several trails around lakes and visit a birding tower. There’s also an enclosed butterfly garden, orchid garden, and a restaurant.
Modern architecture creates a striking new entrance and shady boardwalk.
Landscape architect Raymond Jungles of Miami designed the Brazilian garden with a beautiful waterfall that is now the central feature of the gardens. The structure is topped with a colorful mosaic, an ode to famed Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. There are Giant Victoria water lilies, silk floss trees and lots of bromeliads.
The Caribbean garden was my favorite. I can’t wait to go back when this Petrea vine is dripping with purple blooms.
This area has a nice view of the River of Grass, which you can take in from a hammock if you like, or on the porch of a little Caribbean house.
The Asian garden has a 15th century-style Hindu temple, rice paddies, boardwalks over a koi pond, and a nice shady pagoda.
The new garden is beautiful, and as with all gardens, it’s only going to get better with age.
4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112
This place looks amazing! I love how much I’m learning about Florida from your blog. We tend to go to the same places over and over, but should probably take a page out of your book and explore!
I use the blog as an excuse for road trips I’ve always wanted to take. Hopefully many more to come!
Our friend Mark has been working down there for months, rockwork, moving and planting trees. We haven’t been down there yet to admire his handiwork but are looking forward to it.
You’re going to love it. It’s worth the drive if you spend several hours doing the longer walks around the wetlands. The gift shop was museum-style and the restaurant looked great.