Naples Botanical Garden

When Naples Botanical Garden decided to open this year they could not know that Florida would experience the coldest December ever recorded. Miles of frost clothe and some 600 volunteers helped save some of the newly planted tender species. Some plants had leaf scorch and drop but overall the cold just slowed growth.

At 26th latitude north Naples subtropical location presents an opportunity to showcase gardens that represent countries and regions down to 26th latitude south. These areas include Asia, Brazil, the Caribbean and of course Florida. Located in East Naples on a remarkable 170 acres of which 35 are currently developed the garden is a testament to the vision of its many founders and supporters. A staggering 30 million dollars has been spent. The monies coming from private donations with many of the gardens named for their benefactors.

This is an interactive garden designed to be touched, smelled and played in. A forthcoming restaurant will give patrons an opportunity to catch their breath, eat and relax as you can easily spend most of a day exploring. Since the garden is relatively new some of the trees are still staked, shrubs need filling out a bit more and flowers certainly have room to grow. This is a garden that will mature into a stunning showcase and become a must see for every visitor to the region.

The Children's Garden features a splash pad where kids can dance and jump while water spouts shoot in the air. An interactive butterfly house, fantasy cottage, tree house and whimsical planters are only the beginning for children seeking an afternoon of fun while learning a bit of botany.

Certainly the standout feature of the Brazilian Garden is its stellar replication of the black waters of the Rio Nigro. The Burle Marx Plaza is a bold tribute to Roberto Burle Marx the renowned "father of modern landscape architecture". The black water is achieved by the use of dyes which have no environmental implications.

The Kapnick Caribbean Garden did an excellent job of representing the flora of the islands. It reminded me of Water Island in the US Virgins a kind of scrubby desert look where blowing sand drifted onto the roads. This garden will be interesting to watch develop.

The River of Grass is an outstanding representation of the Everglades. The designers faithfully reproduced a miniature ecosystem albeit the alligators. Cord and fraxahatchee grass were planted instead of saw grass so that gardeners would not be cut and scratched by the rough saw grass. But it looks marvelous and improves water quality by slowing down run-off and absorbing contaminants.

The Water Garden is truly inspired as you cross the bridge you are afforded a spectacular vista of the Asian Garden and the River of Grass. The color and variety of water lilies is outstanding. The King Tuts that line the bridge blow and wave as they invite you across the threshold.

One of my favorites the Asian Garden is full of sculpture, art, water, fountains, container gardens and colorful plants. There is a Javanese Ruin, New Asia Pergola, Thai Pavilion and Balinese Shrine representing temples and ruins. The garden was built by four workers from Bali, a team who follow the designer around the world completing his installations. The materials for this garden were imported from around the world. How exciting.

The extensive Florida Garden marries with the South Wetlands Preserve and Uplands Preserve to showcase all that is great with Florida landscape and design. The grove, pine crossing, palm circle and birding tower are all essential elements emulating the diversity that exists in the temperate Florida climate.

The Enabling Garden demonstrates many strategies that allow even physically challenged people to enjoy gardening. Volunteer Carolyn Smith described many of this gardens special features to me. Odoriferous plants, textural plants, low easy access walls, wide paths and a wheelchair drop off make this garden accessible to everyone.

The garden calendar of events includes Tai-Chi instruction, dog walks, artists, theatre, wine tasting and movies just to name a few. This fabulous new community asset is sure to be a money maker bringing flower lovers, nature seekers, photographers and tourists on a yearly trek to see what's new and blooming in Naples.