Best Public Garden


Important: This article was last updated on September 21, 2005. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.

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Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, 305/667-1651, www.fairchildgarden.org

 Established in 1938 on 38 acres, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden has one of the most important collections of rare and endangered tropical plants in the world. It holds an extensive number of palms and cycads, flowering trees, vines and fruit trees, plus a rain forest. Of particular interest are the sausage tree from Africa; the giant, stinking amorphophallus gigas flower that draws thousands of visitors a year; the rare, oddly bluish jade vine; a candle tree; and the annatto tree. Walking tours are offered seasonally, and the bookstore, which has more horticultural and botanical books than anywhere else in the region, is a worthy destination in itself. The gardens are open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. Admission is $15, but the first Wednesday of every month is Contribution Day, when visitors can set their own admission fee.