TAMPA, Fla. – Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, has received recognition as one of the World’s Greatest Places this summer, according to Time magazine. Out of 100 places listed, Selby Gardens is among the eight located in the United States.
Notably, it is the sole representative from Florida in its category and the only botanical garden on the esteemed list. Time magazine compiled the list by calling for nominations from its correspondents and contributors, encompassing hotels, attractions, restaurants, museums, and parks. The selection process also involved an application.
The announcement by Time magazine not only applauds Sarasota’s cultural scene but also acknowledges the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the Sarasota Museum of Art.
However, the award-winning attraction is Selby Gardens’ downtown campus located on Sarasota Bay. Described as a flourishing oasis of banyan trees and mangroves, the announcement highlights its recent expansion and position as the world’s first net-positive energy botanical garden, featuring a 57,000-square-foot solar array.
The visitor experience is equally noteworthy, according to the announcement. Visitors are greeted by a new welcome center, an open-air structure adorned with captivating air plants, which serves as an introduction to the garden’s vast array of wonders. These include a renowned collection of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads, and ferns.
The announcement also spotlights The Green Orchid, a newly established restaurant that utilizes electric and induction equipment and sources produce from rooftop gardens maintained by a group of military veterans.
Furthermore, the spotlight is on the gardens’ stormwater management system, which annually purifies millions of gallons of water before returning it to the bay, as well as the upcoming restoration of the Payne Mansion, an architectural gem from the 1920s.
With its 45-acre expanse, Selby Gardens is an awe-inspiring sanctuary, housing an impressive collection of plant life. It is truly a destination that warrants admiration.