Questions about fairchild and Montgomery botanical gardens FL

[Hardypalms]

Hi

We are going to South-East Florida soon. I have a couple of questions.

-How long does it take to visit each garden? I can walk fast and don’t suffer from heat and humidity. I will stop at each “different” palms, look at them a couple of minutes depending on my interest for each and take  1 or 2 pics and move on to the next one. Beside if there are bananas, I will fly by the other tropicals.No lunch break like walking back 15mn to grab a sandwich wherever they sell them.

 

-If i go to Fairchild first, is it still a must do to go to Montgomery? I have other non palm related things to do.

-Are you allowed to collect seeds and if not do they sell them?

Thank-you

Pat

 

Edited February 28, 2023 by Hardypalms

[redant]

Montgomery is awesome but to my knowledge it's not open to the public other then during events like this one Go Public Gardens Day! - Montgomery Botanical Center

Fairchild is really cool too, you could easily spend a couple hours there, just depents on how much you like to really sit and enjoy. I'd give it 4 or so hours.

Both gardens have different plusses, you could do both in a couple hours if you make it when Montgomery is open. Totally different, both worth seeing.

Edited February 28, 2023 by redant

[SeanK]

50 minutes ago, redant said:

Montgomery is awesome but to my knowledge it's not open to the public other then during events like this one Go Public Gardens Day! - Montgomery Botanical Center

Fairchild is really cool too, you could easily spend a couple hours there, just depends on how much you like to really sit and enjoy. I'd give it 4 or so hours.

Both gardens have different plusses, you could do both in a couple hours if you make it when Montgomery is open. Totally different, both worth seeing.

I can only speak for Fairchild, from memory. I went during an IPS event in 1999. It's got a tremendous number of specimens that you won't see in folks' landscapes. Start early, bring water, plan 4 hours, take lots of pix. You'll need a friend to give perspective in many photos.

[kinzyjr]

@Hardypalms

I've been to both and would echo @redant's sentiments.  Both are a very positive experience.

Montgomery: It's best to schedule a tour: https://www.montgomerybotanical.org/visit/

Another spot that you'd like is Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: https://vizcaya.org/

I posted a few photos from my visit at the end of 2018 in the travel section, but there is a lot more to see there:

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/58974-vizcaya-museum-and-garden-miami-fl/

[Hardypalms]

Did not know the vizcaya. I will check it out.

Thxs

Pat

[bubba]

Not sure about Montgomery but David Fairchild’s Home and Gardens (Kampong), which is the only National Tropical Botanical Garden outside of Hawaii, does take reservations and it is magnificent:

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kampong

[Patrick]

4 at fairchild is a fair amount of time for a visit. Honestly, it's nice to just meander. No need to fast walk it. Enjoy the journey! 

 

What about The Kampong? Isn't that one for the bucket list? Never been... I missed Bubba's post before I posted, but yeah. The NTBG on Kauai is spectacular, so if that name is being attached to it, put it on the list. Honestly its one for my list 100%. Just need to get to Miami.... but in December lol. Maybe I can convince the wife to do Art Basil again.

Edited March 1, 2023 by Patrick

[hbernstein]

Spot-on with all the responses. The only one mentioned that you could do fairly quickly is The Kampong. MBC is unique, and mind-blowing!

Don't forget my work place, Pinecrest Gardens.  For now, not many labeled plants. You could do it in a fairly short time. it has a unique garden environment,  fresh water, (somewhat) richer native soil, old growth Baldcypresses. and shade!

[Hardypalms]

What is in Kempong? I want to only see palms and bananas.

Thxs

Pat

[Quasarecho]

On 2/28/2023 at 9:08 AM, Hardypalms said:

Hi

We are going to South-East Florida soon. I have a couple of questions.

-How long does it take to visit each garden? I can walk fast and don’t suffer from heat and humidity. I will stop at each “different” palms, look at them a couple of minutes depending on my interest for each and take  1 or 2 pics and move on to the next one. Beside if there are bananas, I will fly by the other tropicals.No lunch break like walking back 15mn to grab a sandwich wherever they sell them.

 

-If i go to Fairchild first, is it still a must do to go to Montgomery? I have other non palm related things to do.

-Are you allowed to collect seeds and if not do they sell them?

Thank-you

Pat

 

A few years ago I visited the gardens in Melbourne, FL. Small but really nice site. If driving down to South FL and traveling along the east coast, might be worth a diversion. Website:

https://www.fit.edu/garden/