Marie Selby Botanical Gardens officially kicks off its 50th anniversary with a year-long schedule of special exhibitions, programs, celebrations, and the unveiling of a commemorative book titled Orchid. 

“Starting with Marie Selby’s selfless gift to our community and enhanced by so many dedicated individuals over the past half century, Selby Gardens has become a botanical garden like no other,” says Selby Gardens president and CEO Jennifer O. Rominiecki. “We are excited to present a season-long celebration of our world-class botanical science, unique horticultural beauty and visionary leaders of yesterday and today as we mark this wonderful milestone.”

Here are the highlights of the 50th anniversary season.

The Orchid Show 2023: A 50th Anniversary Celebration

On view October 7 through November 26, 2023

The 2023 Orchid Show 2023 at Selby Gardens' downtown Sarasota campus will include a horticultural display in the Tropical Conservatory and an exhibition in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. Orchids of various shapes, colors, and patterns will abound in the Conservatory, illustrating the beauty and diversity of one of the largest and most beloved families of flowering plants. The museum exhibition will present a selection of rare artifacts and historical images to help tell the rich story of Selby Gardens’ first 50 years, with emphasis on the plants and people who have made it such a special place.

Orchid | The Book

Published to celebrate Selby Gardens’ 50th anniversary, Orchid is a coffee-table book featuring 150 photos of the vibrant, elegant, sometimes other-worldly orchids in the gardens’ collection. The 240-page book pairs text by Selby Gardens botany and horticulture staff with photographs of fine-art quality captured by Selby Gardens volunteers. Orchid was produced in partnership with arts and heritage publishing house Scala Arts Publishers. The book is an accessible introduction to orchids for a general audience and an essential resource for aficionados and experts. Set for release in conjunction with the upcoming Orchid Show, Orchid will be available for purchase in the Garden Shop at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus and through online and other retail outlets.

Clyde Butcher: Nature Through the Lens

November 11, 2023 through August 31, 2024

Selby Gardens is excited to present the imagery of renowned photographer and conservationist Clyde Butcher throughout the grounds of the Historic Spanish Point campus. Large-scale prints on aluminum of Butcher’s black-and-white photographs of plants, animals, and habitats of Florida will be exhibited amid the natural landscape of the 30-acre waterfront preserve. Nature Through the Lens will include Butcher’s photographs of regional locales such as Myakka River State Park and Casey Key. 

The Return of Patti Smith

November 15, 2023 

In the first event affiliated with the 2024 Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition, Selby Gardens artist-in-residence Patti Smith will return for a special evening performance. Smith’s program will be tied to the soon-to-be-announced theme of next year’s Goldstein Exhibition, which opens in February. More details and tickets for the performance will be released in October.

In addition to the 50th anniversary celebrations, Phase One of the gardens' master plan for its downtown Sarasota campus is expected to be complete by the end of 2023. Features will include a new welcome center, with a welcome gallery and orientation theater; a cutting-edge plant research center to house the gardens’ research collections; a new plant and gift shop; a net-positive energy restaurant; and a nearly 50,000-square-foot solar array to power the complex.

“We are thrilled to begin to realize the full potential of our beloved gardens, while also preserving our history for generations to come,” says Rominiecki. “We look forward to welcoming visitors from diverse communities across the United States and around the world to join us as we embark on another 50 years of plant exploration, discovery and celebration.”

For more information, click here or call (941) 366-5731.