Heathcote Botanical Gardens

Heathcote Botanical Gardens are located in Fort Pierce, Florida.  The three and a half acres were once part of a nursery.  Now they are filled with paths bordered by orchids and palms. There are several gardens, including an herb garden, childrens garden, and a lovely Japanese garden that contains a picturesque pond.  The Japanese garden also boasts the largest tropical Bonsai collection in the United States.

The gardens are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 1:00 PmM to 5:00 PM  (November through April). Cost of admission is $6.00 for adults, and $2.00 for children.

Fragrance Garden

The Fragrance Garden is part of Lakes Park, a 277 acre park in South Fort Meyers, Florida, where you can touch and smell the scents of native exotic plants and walk a fruit and spice path. It was started in 1991, with a small collection of herbs.  It has grown quite a bit, and now has a huge assortment of trees and flowers.

The park is open from 9:00 AM to dusk.  There is a parking fee for motorized vehicles:  $1.00 an hour or $5.00 all day.

Harry P. Leu Gardens

Located in Orlando, Florida, the Harry P. Leu Gardens contain fifty acres of ancient oak trees, camellias, and giant camphors.  In fact, it has the largest camellia collection and formal rose garden in the southern United States. The gardens were donated to the city of Orlando in 1961 by Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane. There is also an herb garden, butterfly garden, palm garden, and bamboo garden on the grounds.
 

The gardens are open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on December 25th, when the gardens are closed.

Cost of admission, which includes a tour of the Leu House Museum, is $10.00 for adults, and $3.00 for children.