Montgomery Botanical Center

Montgomery Botanical Center is a 120 acre garden, and it is such a private place that it is only open about once or twice a year for the public. It is a nonprofit garden that was established in 1959. They specialize in conservation and collection of live specimens worldwide, especially those that are in risk of extinction. They concentrate on palms mostly. Research and education is their mission, in keeping with the legacy of Robert and Nell Montgomery, who loved cycads and palms and after whom the place is named. This couple is the same couple behind the founding of Fairchild Tropical Garden.
MBC collects seeds from around the world and then germinates the plants for study and growth. MBC cooperates with many botanical institutions and countries around the world. I came for a tour during their annual plant sale. Several vendors were selling and educating the public on various exotic plants. Admission was only $ 5 each, and we got to take a tour. The tour is not on foot, your only option is to take a golf cart tour, provided by one of the volunteers. The entire tour is on a moving vehicle, so photo opportunities may be few. The estate on the grounds is beautiful, as are the bodies of water, the views, the pretty green acreage of land, and all the birds on site, such as peacocks. The tour is very short, perhaps 10 minutes or so.
MBC’s plant collections must comply with the following four core principles:
–Plants must have scientific, conservation, and/​or educational value;
–Have a reasonable chance of growing on the property;
–Be maintained following exemplary horticultural practices; and
–Be incorporated into the collection in an aesthetically pleasing landscape design.
A great way to spend a relaxing afternoon, while exploring a hidden gem in South Florida, a garden whose existence is practically unknown.