
Botanical gardens do more than just showcase beautiful plants. They also help preserve, study and share the world of flora with the public. Many of these gardens host tours, hands-on workshops and classes that help connect visitors with nature. Luckily, there are many incredible botanical gardens just a short drive from Pensacola. From native Gulf Coast plants to rare and exotic species, these living museums offer a peaceful and educational escape.
Bellingrath Gardens & Home
This impressive botanical garden first opened its doors in 1932. The vibrant 65-acre estate offers colorful sights all year round. While exploring Bellingrath Gardens, one can find beauty around every corner. The Bellingrath Rose Garden, The Delchamps Gallery of Boehm Porcelain, the Mirror Lake and the Asian-American Garden. The Rose Garden contains more than 2,000 plants with blooms typically occurring in late April. The Asian-American garden also features unique plants from China and Japan. Bellingrath is located at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd. in Theadore, AL. For more information, visit bellingrath.org.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
First planted in 1923, this garden is host to all sorts of incredible sights and botanical-related activities. The garden features two short nature trails for hiking, six miles of shared trails for hiking and biking, and five miles of biking trails overlooking the lake. Peak blooming season for the gardens is January 1 through April 30, with the floral peak in late February; a special fee is charged for visiting during these months. The park is located at 3540 Thomasville Road in Tallahassee. For more information, including admission fees and operating hours, visit floridastateparks.org/maclaygardens.
Mobile Botanical Gardens
Established in 1974, Mobile Botanical Gardens spans a staggering 100 acres. This garden is the largest on the Gulf Coast and features the most biodiversity of any botanical garden in the area. Currently in bloom are the Winter Garden, the Rhododendron and Azalea Garden and the Herb Garden. The Winter Garden features camelias, Asian magnolias, and Taiwan cherries. The Rhododendron and Azalea garden features evergreen azaleas in bloom, along with the native and Aromi azaleas blooming during the first half of April. The Mobile Botanical Gardens is located at 5151 Museum Drive in Mobile, AL. For more information on the Mobile Botanical Gardens, visit mobilebotanicalgardens.org.
Montgomery Botanical Gardens
Located at 1010 Forest Avenue in the heart of Montgomery, AL, this garden features a beautiful assortment of flora that is sure to capture the eye of any visitors. The garden is located within Oak Park, and its goal is to enrich the park and celebrate Montgomery. Some of the wonderful features to visit include Monkey Island and the Gayle Planetarium. This site also offers an abundance of local history and the story behind the establishment of the Montgomery Botanical Gardens. To learn more about planning your visit to Montgomery Botanical Gardens, visit montgomerybotanicalgardens.com.
Cornerstone Gardens & Arboretum
Located at 1066 Government Street in Mobile, AL, Cornerstone Gardens features not just one garden but a collection of gardens. The first garden is a lovely traditional British formal garden. After exploring the British garden, the guest is then treated to a soothing fragrance garden, which is perfect for the visually impaired. The next garden is the Japanese woodland garden, an eye-catching garden that features many native Japanese flora. Cornerstone also features many smaller settings around the main exhibits. For more information, visit cornerstonegarden.org.
New Orleans Botanical Garden
Opened in 1936, the New Orleans Botanical Garden includes a colorful 10 acres of enchantment within the city. Included within the garden is the Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden which features 15 statues by the New Orleans artist. On Saturdays and Sundays, one can visit the garden and enjoy the Historic New Orleans Train Garden, a stunning 1/12-size train track with multiple small-scale trains. Among the plants featured in the garden, there is the Yakumo Nihon Teien Japanese Garden, a serene place to enjoy Japanese plants and explore Japanese culture with events such as tea ceremonies. The garden is located at 5 Victory Avenue. For details on planning your visit to the New Orleans Botanical Gardens, visit neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-parkbotanical-garden.
Reservoir Botanical Gardens
While not as large as some of the other gardens featured, you don’t want to miss Reservoir Botanical Gardens. Located at 2230 Spillway Road in Brandon, MS, this garden is situated right next to a beautiful 0.6-mile nature trail that is surrounded by lush, native plants and shrubbery. Renovated in 1992, the Reservoir Botanical Gardens still holds up today as a bastion of serenity. If you are someone who enjoys a quiet stroll through nature, this is the garden for you.
The Crosby Arboretum
With a mission of protecting and showcasing the natural beauty of Mississippi, it is no surprise that the Crosby Arboretum features a remarkable arrangement of scenery and exhibits for guests to not only enjoy but explore. Located at 370 Ridge Road in Picayune, MS, the arboretum houses around 700 acres of land with over 300 different species of plants. The land is split among seven different main areas which all house unique flora. The main three exhibits found within the arboretum are the Savanna, the Woodlands, and the Aquatic. All three of these exhibits feature a unique arrangement of both native and non-native plants, pleasing the eye of every onlooker. For more information on the Crosby Arboretum, visit crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu.