Gardens

Stroll back in time through twenty acres of gardens and experience what the Edisons created during their many winters in Southwest Florida. Towering ficus trees planted by Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone stand tall in the former research gardens.

The site contains more than 1,700 plants representing more than 400 species from six continents.

See the full list
of what's blooming now

Garden highlights include

1.Moonlight Garden

Originally designed in 1929 by renowned landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman, the Moonlight Garden is the largest formal garden on the site. Filled with night blooming, fragrant plants, shrubs, and flowers, the garden features a reflection pool that captures the moonlight.

2.Banyan Tree

Planted in the late 1920s, it is considered to be one of the largest banyan trees in the continental United States.

3.Heritage Plants

Edison and Ford planted many unique species throughout the property, including the sausage tree, queen's wreath, Puerto Rican hat palm, blue mahoe, tropical snowball, yesterday today tomorrow and king’s mantle. Many of the original plant varieties can be seen in the gardens today.

4.Royal Palm Allees

Edison planted stately palms in single file, creating a distinctive effect. Royal palms still grace the walkways today.

5.Cycads

The Edison property holds a unique collection of these prehistoric plants.

6.Butterfly Garden

Mina Edison understood the vital role bees and butterflies play in pollinating plants. The Butterfly Garden is home to a variety of different butterfly species and the Garden Shoppe (Garden Center) offers an assortment of butterfly plants available for purchase.

7.Bamboo

When Edison purchased his Fort Myers property, bamboo, which he was using in his experiments with the light bulb, was growing on the grounds. Today, the gardens contain more than a dozen varieties.

8.Heritage and Community Gardens

The Edisons and Fords shared a passion for growing their own food. The tradition continues today with raised beds and herb mounds located in the Heritage and Community Gardens that change with the seasons.

9.Tropical Fruit Trees

Mango, citrus, sapote, tamarind, papaya, lychee, longan guava, jackfruit, loquat, calamondin and starfruit are just some of the unique fruit trees growing throughout the grounds.

10.Palmetum

The Edison and Ford gardens boast a collection of more than 60 species of palm trees from several continents.

11.NEW Succulent Garden

With more than 50 plants, the Succulent Garden is popular with visitors who learn that cacti thrive not only in desert-like conditions, but in coastal climates as well.

The Garden Shoppe

Looking for a something unique to add to your landscape?

You will find the perfect plants and gifts for experienced and new gardeners alike in the Edison Ford Garden Shoppe (Garden Center)!

Explore hundreds of annuals, herbs, fruit trees, butterfly plants, landscaping plants, pots, fertilizers, books and garden related items available for purchase.

Our team of horticulturists are available to answer questions and provide assistance from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Admission to the Garden Shoppe and parking are always free. Monthly Garden Talks are held in the Garden Shoppe.

Click here for a list of
garden events and workshops