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History

Historical Spotlight: Packed with History

If you’ve ever received a box of elegantly wrapped citrus as a gift, you can thank the Webb Family for helping to inspire that pretty-meets-practical packaging. This pioneer family, who lived at the site of Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus in the 19th...

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About Our Master Site Plan

More than 40 years ago, Marie Selby left her property in our care to preserve an oasis of green space in the midst of downtown Sarasota. Her executors created the world’s only botanical research garden specializing in epiphytes, or air plants such as orchids and...

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Remembering Ann Esworthy

Remembering Ann Esworthy

Long time Selby Gardens supporter Ann Esworthy, 97, passed away Friday, November 3, 2017. A volunteer who contributed more than 7,000 hours over 41 years, Ann continued to mount herbarium specimens in the Botany department until just weeks prior to her passing. In...

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Dr. Peter Raven Return to Selby Gardens

Dr. Peter Raven Return to Selby Gardens

Dr. Peter Raven, one of the world's leading botanists and advocates of conservation and biodiversity, recently spoke with leadership, staff, volunteers and advocates at Selby Gardens. This was Raven’s fourth such visit to Sarasota, having spoken at the formal...

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People Behind the Plants: Libby Besse

People Behind the Plants: Libby Besse

Selby Gardens is featured weekly on ABC7 News at Noon. Tune in Thursdays to see more informative segments like this one. Like most non-profit organizations, Selby Gardens has long relied on donors and volunteers to help achieve its goals. Libby Besse was a volunteer...

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People Behind the Plants: Dr. Carlyle Luer

People Behind the Plants: Dr. Carlyle Luer

Selby Gardens is featured weekly on ABC7 News at Noon. Tune in Thursdays to see more informative segments like this one. Marie Selby was an avid gardener who was passionate about roses. How then did Selby Gardens become a world-renowned center for orchid research?...

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