Have you visited the Miami Beach Botanical Garden lately? 

This 3-acre tropical oasis sits in the heart of Miami Beach, at 2000 Convention Center Drive, and is brimming with beauty. It's open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays, except some holidays, and admission is free! (Previously entry cost $5 per person, plus a $1.94 fee.)

Free Events in April:

Sunday, April 7:

Noon to 1 p.m.:
Fantasy Theatre Factory presents “The Adventures of the Three Mess-keteers” a fun kids' educational show teaching youngsters about the importance of environmental conservation. RSVP here.

1-4 p.m.:
Family Day Mash-Up: “Discovering Design Meets in Bloom”
The afternoon will feature garden-inspired crafting with artist Lucia Morales, the creation of miniature habitat scenes with art therapist Sarah Laing, Sound Bingo with nature guide-in-residence Karina Del Punta, sweet treats, and more. At 2:30 pm, gather ‘round for story time and find out about sounds of the jungle when we read Deanna Wundrow’s book, Jungle Drum. Then, jam out to the beat of your own drum in a workshop led by the South Florida Center for Percussive Arts. RSVP here.

5-8 p.m.:
Youth Jazz Series
Performance by young jazz musicians including YMU's Jazz Collective, The FIU Jazz Band, YMPA Jazz Combo, Jazz Education Community Coalition Ensemble and Lobac. RSVP here.

Thursday, April 11
6-9 p.m.:
Words Move, Music Moves with Owen Ruff, New World Symphony Fellow
A night of poetry and music in the Miami Beach Botanical Garden featuring poetry by TS Eliot and music written and performed by New World Symphony Fellow Owen Ruff. RSVP here.

Sunday, April 21
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
Earth Day Celebration at The Garden

• Plant giveaway: 1 plant per person upon completion of a fast event survey (while supplies last)
• Animal encounters and conservation information: Troy, founder of Irie Fauna, will be providing info on Florida’s native and invasive species with a chance to encounter an American Alligator, Madagascar Day Gecko, South American Redfoot Tortoise, and African Ball Python. He will also give a short 15-minute talk about his work and how you can get involved in conservation projects.
• Compost giveaway: Learn about all about compost with Beata Rikhter and take some home
• Children’s book reading: Author Yaeko Knaus will be reading her new book, Sailing with Paros: Our Beautiful World at 12:30pm
• Woodturning demonstrations: Learn all about woodturning with members of the South Florida Woodturners Guild
• Ceramics demonstrations: Learn all about ceramics with members of the Ceramic League of Miami
• City of Miami Beach Environment & Sustainability: Learn about the City’s climate adaptation and mitigation projects having a positive impact on our environment
• Kids’s art activities: Get creative with art projects presented by the Sunflower Society
• Earth Gratitude Catchers: Create gratitude catchers with the Garden’s nature-guide-in-residence, Karina Del Punta
• Plantleggers: An Earth Day Family Celebration activation with Bookleggers and O, Miami – providing a day of fun STEAM activities led by teaching artists and poets, providing hands-on informal family learning. 

• Early Bird Walk at 8am (RSVP here)
• Native Plant Propagation Workshop with Corinne of Miami Seed Share at 11am (RSVP here)
• Botanical Ink Making Workshop at 12pm (Tickets here)

The sanctuary-like grounds feature a variety of water features, a native and an edible garden, flowering trees, wildlife and, of course, plenty of orchids and palm trees.

Stroll through the Japanese garden, over an idyllic red bridge, then take in the colorful fruit in the edible garden. There you'll see starfruit, papaya, pineapple, lychee and pomegranates growing. 

The main pond features water lilies, plus a cascading fountain and circular fountain surrounded by red mangroves and water-loving plants.

The garden was created as a Miami Beach city park in 1962 and rejuvenated during fall 2011 as part of a $1.2 million landscape project by South Florida landscape architect Raymond Jungles. 

Check out the Facebook page for more information on arts classes and other events at the garden. 

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IN OTHER GARDENS NEWS

Historic spots such as Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Deering Estate, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, The Kampong and Pinecrest Gardens are just a few we suggest. For more information, click here. 

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