The garden was established in 1954 on land previously used for the Palm Beach County Agricultural Extension Service.
The Windows to the Floating World installation features a series of interconnected ponds and a signature 'floating' bridge.
It houses a specialized 'Garden of Well-Being' designed to provide therapeutic and sensory experiences for visitors.
The collection includes rare cycads and a significant grouping of tropical fruit specimens essential for Florida’s agricultural history.
Mounts serves as a designated testing site for the All-America Selections, trialing new plant varieties for their performance in South Florida's climate.
The garden maintains a dedicated hedge maze and interactive areas for children, focusing on botanical education through play.
Mounts Botanical Garden is the oldest and largest botanical garden in Palm Beach County, spanning 20 acres of diverse, globally-sourced plant collections. It features over 6,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants curated within 25 distinct display gardens. The property is managed by the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension in partnership with the Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. Notable collections include the Rose and Fragrance Garden, the Windows to the Floating World water garden, and an extensive collection of fruit trees. The garden serves as an educational hub, emphasizing xeriscaping, sustainable gardening, and local environmental stewardship. Paths are primarily paved or mulched, designed to accommodate walking tours through varied ecosystems ranging from desert cacti to lush wetlands. It is a living laboratory that supports both research and public recreation in a subtropical climate.
The floating bridge in the 'Windows to the Floating World' water garden.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes as the terrain varies from paved paths to mulched garden trails.
Bring sun protection such as a hat or light long-sleeved clothing, as most of the gardens are fully exposed to the sun.
Check the online events calendar before visiting to time your trip with seasonal plant sales or rotating art exhibitions.
Visiting at midday during the summer months when heat index levels can be extreme and shade is limited.
Open daily, but occasionally closes for private events or extreme weather conditions; check the website for alerts.
Stay on marked pathways, refrain from picking flowers or fruit, and keep pets on a leash if allowed per current policy.
