There are no “plug and play” programs at your Garden. Instead, every tour, drop-in session, field trip, and special offering is created by staff to interpret our collections and illuminate […]
Where the World’s Newest Waterlilies Bloom
Waterlilies (Nymphaea sp.) have always enchanted humans. Across many cultures, Nymphaea—named for Greek mythological water nymphs—are deeply symbolic, representing traits such as beauty and enlightenment. Historically, the plants themselves were somewhat simplistic and austere. The waterlilies depicted by the ancient […]
Is that a Waterlily?
Meet the lotus, an aquatic marvel The enchanting blooms and curious leaves of the lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) greet you from the water as you wander through the Lea Asian Garden. […]
The Art of Acquiring Palms
The garden has 1,400 palms in the ground and roughly 3,200 palms in the nursery. While those numbers may seem high, we only have 434 out of the roughly 2,500 […]
In Bloom: Cranberry Vibes, Sunshine Roots
All about Roselle Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) may look like a humble version of its showy cousin, the Hibiscus, but this fast-growing, short-lived plant holds back a surprise treat. Its flowers […]
The Taste of Summer
Fresh fruit is a hallmark of summertime, and in sunny Southwest Florida, that means mangos, mangos, mangos! While commonly used in sweet treats like sorbet and smoothies, mangos pair effortlessly […]
