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Visiting Jacksonville: The Italian garden at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Read more about Florida’s unique tropical gardens, orchid gardens and botanical gardens that are open to the public. A few highlights:

Read more about Florida’s gardens in these stories:

Everglades Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs has survived since 1936. Now it’s a small but serene spot to enjoy glorious flora, colorful birds, gators and more. It’s located on Old 41 Road, a pocket of Old Florida that is having a renaissance.

Read More about Everglades Wonder Gardens: Old-time roadside attraction reborn in Bonita Springs

In the fertile rural Redland area in Homestead, you can tour Fruit and Spice Park, where you taste exotic tropical fruit and learn about unusual plants that grow here. You’ll see fruit trees that flourish here that do not grow anywhere else in the contiguous US.

Read More about Fruit and Spice Park: 10 wonders of this unique garden south of Miami

McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach is a gem to discover. Once a top roadside attraction, go for its water lilies, Old Florida buildings and gorgeous vistas. The June Water Lily Celebration is timed for peak bloom of the water lilies.

Read More about McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach: 6 things not to miss at this water lily heaven

Eden Gardens State Park is 20 minutes away from the bright white Panhandle beaches. It offers a rest for the eyes amid camellias, azaleas and a handsome 1897 mansion with an interesting history. Right now, the 100 varieties of camelias are in full bloom.

Read More about Eden Gardens State Park: Lovely gardens, green respite near sand & surf