Hollis Gardens in Lakeland Florida.

[JayW 21]

Ok, since I'm about to post a LOT of pics... I'm not going to label them all (also because there are a few that I'm not certain on the exact species).

[JayW 21]

[JayW 21]

[JayW 21]

[JayW 21]

[JayW 21]

[JayW 21]

Look at the size of this fishtail palm!

Enjoy!

[paulgila 187]

enjoyable pix,those pale blue bizzies contrast nicely with the surrounding greeenery.what is the history of this garden,please,for those of us who are not from the area...

[JayW 21]

what is the history of this garden,please,for those of us who are not from the area...

Sure, hope this helps...

Hollis Garden is a formal 1.2 acre botanical garden donated to the City by the Hollis Family. The garden is located on historic Lake Mirror accessible from the Lake Mirror Promenade or Orange Street.

The garden contains several water features and displays thousands of flowering plants, ornamental shrubs, historic trees, herbs and vegetables. The garden may be rented for weddings.

http://vtgcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/pages/hollis_gardens-3-03.htm

http://www.lakelandgov.net/parkrec/Parks/HollisGarden.html

[paulgila 187]

thanks,jay.very nice garden indeed.

[kinzyjr 1,702]

Hollis Gardens is still a great place to visit.  I mentioned this garden in the Remarkable palms of Tampa Bay thread.  Since it has been over a decade since @JayW posted this thread, here are some update pictures of the gardens, the Lake Mirror promenade and the surrounding parks and buildings:

There are a lot of Archontophoenix here.  Most are flowering and there are piles of seeds under them:

Another Lakeland favorite that is really starting to grow on me, Dypsis leptocheilos:

There are a few large Dypsis decaryi here as well

[kinzyjr 1,702]

Old school favorites are present as well.  First up, Phoenix reclinata.  In the second and third pictures, you can probably see the trunk that grew down to the ground and then back up putting off an aerial branch.

Looks like the palm on the right could use some TLC and temporary shade.

Silver Bismarckias small and large:

Lots of Livisonas border the promenade:

Got to love a rock garden:

Chamaerops with multiple trunks:

Some of the few remaining healthy Phoenix dactylifera:

Looking across the lake, there are a few very tall Washingtonia robusta towering over the buildings.

Phoenix rupicola could use some fertilizer.

[kinzyjr 1,702]

Upon entering the main gate, you can walk to the left to see some of the nicest features.

The fountain and main walking area from the main gate.

Sea grapes over 30 feet high

I love this area.  The stone, water features, shade... just perfect.

There are a lot of silver saw palmetto here:

A very large cactus on top of the stones:

The gardens do a fantastic job of mixing temperate species like maples in with the tropical foliage:

Rhapidophyllum hystrix:

Not sure on this one.  Perhaps Sabal louisiana.

A giant Bird of Paradise:

[kinzyjr 1,702]

If you are into Espalier:

A lot of bamboo present:

The area near the Koi pond:

Very large bananas:

Love the water features:

Not sure on this tree:

[kinzyjr 1,702]

Caryotas greet you in the parking lot and in the gardens near the bananas:

Cycads near the entrance:

Desert flora:

Butterfly garden:

Some of the more colorful plantings:

[kinzyjr 1,702]

Some of the young plants outside the garden:

Enjoying fall:

A view of the garden lake:

Some of the flower gardens near the promenade:

Lush green foliage:

[kinzyjr 1,702]

Some of the views from the garden:

Edible landscaping:

Screw pine:

Old man palm Coccothrinax crinita:

Looking toward the exit...

Hope you enjoyed!

[HtownPalms 38]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for posting them. Extra cool for me since my last name is also Hollis.