Flamingo Gardens

Flamingo Gardens convert|60|acre|ha|0|abbr=on is a not-for-profit wildlife sanctuary, aviary, and botanical garden set just west of Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 3750 South Flamingo Road, Davie, Florida, USA. It is open to the public for a fee.

The grounds contain more than 3,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants, including orchids, ferns, bromeliads, 200-year-old oaks, and 300 plus species of palms. A narrated tram ride leads through the site's tropical rainforest, native hammock, wetland areas and groves. The Tropical Plant House displays orchids, calatheas, and other plants; the Arboretum contains one of the largest collection of Champion trees in the region, with understorey plantings and a waterfall; and the Xeriscape^TM Garden demonstrates low maintenance, minimally-watered gardening.

Fauna include otters, alligators, pelicans, blue-beaked ducks, peacocks, and flamingos. The convert|25000|sqft|m2 Everglades aviary houses one of the largest collection of wading birds in the United States.

The Gardens were originally the property of Floyd L. and Jane Wray, who in 1933 built a home and citrus grove on what was then the edge of the Everglades, where they started a botanical collection of tropical and subtropical fruit trees and shrubs.

Pioneer City, a western theme park, was built in the 1960's across the street from Flamingo Gardens. It lasted only a few years.

See also

* List of botanical gardens in the United States