The Gardens
Washington Oaks State Gardens is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Matanzas River, also known as the Intracoastal Waterway. Within this coastal hammock you will find magnificent live oak trees. These trees offer shade as you walk through this tranquil and peaceful gardens.The gardens will take you on a journey down footpaths that lead you to enjoy the many varieties of plant life. Each season yields a new experience with the flowering of annuals, perennials, combined with exotics and native vegetation complimenting a beautiful natural setting.
The gardens are well known for azaleas, camellias and roses. The rose garden features many different types including Don Juan, Tropicana, Kentucky Derby, Sweet Surrender, Sun Flare, Double Delight , Medallion and the wild Cherokee Rose.
Upon stepping out of the rose garden many couples unite at the octagon, located next to one of the many reflection ponds, to recite their wedding nuptials.
While strolling along the pathways, bordered with carpets of mondo grass, labels identify the wide variety of ornamental and exotic plants throughout the gardens. One of the highlights at the park are the many citrus trees along the outer perimeter of the garden.
A walk in the formal gardens will provide an atmosphere of tranquility. Many visitors spend several hours wondering and relaxing in the formal gardens located within the park. The garden makes remarkable use of exotic and native species all nestled within a picturesque oak hammock. Within the gardens you will find everything from azaleas and camellias to the more exotic bird of paradise.
While in the gardens you will come across many butterflies and wildflowers. Below are two PDFs from the Florida Museum of Natural History to help with their identification.
Florida Wildflowers & Butterflies Brochure
The brochure pages are PDFs formatted
for printing on legal paper, 8 1/2" x 14":
