is the oldest and largest public garden in Palm Beach County, Florida.1 It serves as a beautiful 20-acre tropical oasis dedicated to educating and inspiring visitors about nature and the diversity of tropical and subtropical plant life.2
Here is a detailed breakdown of the garden, its collections, and visitor information:
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida, located directly across from the Palm Beach International Airport.3
Size: The garden spans approximately 20 acres (8.1 hectares).4
Collections: It features an acclaimed collection of over 7,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants from six continents.5
Mission: To inspire and educate through nature, serving as a "teaching and learning garden" with a focus on plants that can be successfully grown in Florida home gardens.6
Partnership: It operates as part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida / IFAS, and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden, Inc.7
Mounts is organized into many distinct thematic gardens, each showcasing a different environment or plant collection:8
| Garden Name | Description |
| Windows on the Floating World | An award-winning wetland garden featuring open-gridded walkways on the water's surface, giving the feeling of "walking on water." It showcases seasonal water plants. |
| Tropical Forest | A lush area with ferns and foliage that simulates the feeling of a dense tropical conservatory. |
| Edible Gardens | Includes the Tropical Fruit Garden and Herb Garden of Well Being, showcasing fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and flowers that can be successfully grown and consumed in South Florida. |
| Butterfly Garden | A specialized habitat designed to attract and support various species of local butterflies. |
| Florida Native Plant Garden | Demonstrates the wide variety of plants native to South Florida in a traditional, easy-to-understand landscape design. |
| Garden of Extremes | Features plants and materials unique to extreme conditions, such as intense light or weather. |
| Rose and Fragrance Garden | A display focused on plants that are both visually appealing and highly fragrant. |
| Zimmerman Color and Shade Island | Provides year-round color and diverse texture through foliage and flowers that thrive in shaded conditions. |
| Garden of Tranquility | A peaceful, Zen-inspired area designed for quiet reflection. |
Mounts is a venue for both permanent and rotating art and educational exhibits that complement its botanical collections:9
Moai at Mounts Botanical (Ongoing): A permanent installation of three imposing, life-size replicas of the iconic monolithic human figures from Rapa Nui (Easter Island), located within the Tropical Forest Garden.10
Temporary Exhibits: The garden frequently hosts large, temporary art installations, such as the whimsical "Ribbit the Exhibit," featuring larger-than-life frog sculptures.11
Stickwork Structure: Environmental artist Patrick Dougherty's massive structure made of twisted branches, often used as a feature on the Great Lawn.12
Educational Programming: The garden offers a wide array of public programs, classes, workshops, and guided tours focusing on horticulture, art, culture, and health and wellness for both adults and children.13
Address: 531 N Military Trl, West Palm Beach, FL 33415.14
Hours: Generally open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (last entry at 3:00 pm).15 Closed on Mondays and major Palm Beach County holidays.16 (It is always best to check the official website for current hours and special closures).
Admission: There is a fee for non-members, with discounts for seniors, students, and military.17 Children under a certain age are free.18
Note: Admission is FREE for Mounts members and members of the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Program (RAP).19
Local Resident Perk: Admission is often free for Palm Beach County residents on the first Wednesday of every month (must show proof of residency).20
Accessibility: Garden walkways are paved, providing easy access.21
Payments: The Welcome Center and Gift Shop are generally credit/debit card only (no cash or checks accepted for admission).22
Pets: The garden hosts special Dogs' Days in the Garden (usually the second Sunday of the month) when dogs are permitted for a small fee, but typically not on other days