Located close to Fort Lauderdale and established nearly a century ago (in 1927), Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest attractions in South Florida. It features over 3,000 species of plants and also a large collection of the state’s native wildlife.
It’s a nice place to visit on a hot day because the gigantic trees on the property — many of them several hundred years old — offer a cool shaded canopy. The trees are accented with ponds, a stream, and waterfall, and a variety of smaller plants.
Flamingo Gardens contains the largest tree in Florida, a Cluster Fig that is native to India, which measures 54 feet in circumference and is 102 feet tall.
The property began as an orange grove, and in places you still see evidence of this….
But there’s a lot more to Flamingo Gardens than oranges. It has a large collection of orchids….
There are displays of ferns, bromeliads, cacti and succulents, and more tropical plants like Heliconia and ginger….
Flamingo Gardens is also known for a nice collection of wildlife, including a flamingo pond from which the property derives its name….
You’ll see a lot of other bird life around, some living in an aviary, other birds just dropping in as visitors, enjoying the garden like tourists do (except bypassing the ticket line). This anhinga is an example of this….
This owl was part of a collection of Everglade Wildlife….
There’s a large group of nesting brown pelicans….
A variety of ducks ….
And a healthy population of this rather ugly bird, known as a wood stork….
I saw one yellow crested night heron….
A few Rosette spoonbills….
I think this is a lesser blue heron….
Peacocks abounded, including a rare white peacock (not quite an albino) which mingles with the more standard peafowl….
There’s a turtle pond…
….several types of tortoises….
and a special exhibit for the ubiquitous Florida alligator. There’s something primal about looking at an alligator that sends a shiver up my spine….
The otter exhibit is popular with all. They are such playful and fun animals to watch….
Even had a possum on display at the Everglades center.
The beautiful property and its growing collection of plant and tree life are due to the vision and efforts of its founders, Floyd and Jane Wray, remembered in the bronze busts below.
The Wray’s home was built in 1933 and is now a museum. It was restored in 1991 to depict a typical South Florida country home of that era.
(Wray Home Museum)
The building has many items connected with the Wray family and Flamingo Groves, far too many to illustrate here. We visited in early December, and Christmas decorations were on display. Here’s a few of the highlights of the home:
The property is a popular venue for weddings. We wished this lovely bride all the best.
Flamingo Gardens was a pleasant place to visit. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in gardens, birds, and Florida history. Count on at least a half day to explore — a full day if you wish to linger.
