Sarasota has a humid subtropical climate and is lush with all types of foliage. You can understand why John Ringling covered the grounds of his mansion with every type of plant one could imagine. Above is a shot of the gardens in the Ringling Art Museum.
The rose garden for the mansion is huge as you can see from this shot. There was every kind of rose plant you could imagine, but the one below called "Double Blush" I thought was particularly beautiful.
And, especially interesting were the Banyan trees that doted the grounds. the guide told us that Thomas Edison gave Ringling nine trees and this is what they have now become. They are a sight to marvel at because the tree grows so high and then the branches begin to send out roots that make their way to the ground and appear almost like stalactites in a cave somewhere.
This statue in the tree is a major feature of the tour.
There is something to be said for being nice to the people you encounter during an adventure. We went by the Sarasota Garden club on Sunday only to discover it was closed. But an officer of the club drove up to make some copies and gave us a personal tour. I found these "Pitcher plants" quite curious. I later learned it is in the Fly Trap family!! And, the Purple Pitcher Plant is the floral emblem of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The back view is just as other worldly!
For those of you in the area considering a wedding, the courtyard resembles a tropical island that would make a great setting.These shots give a real sense of just how tranquil the location is.
And next, the Selby Botanical Gardens. they are noted for their extensive Orchid and Bromeliad collections.I particularly like this shot below because the Spanish Moss (which is in the Bromeliad family I found out) almost appears to be water flowing from the fountain.
And finally, as our day came to a close we spent a little time having a bite to eat sitting by the inter coastal. But have no fear, there are still photos from the Ringling Art Museum for a later date...