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Edison & Ford Winter Estates – 2350 McGregor Blvd – Fort Myers, FL 33901 – 239-334-7419












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Botanical Gardens: Edison's tropical botanical garden, one of the most complete in America, contains more than a thousand varieties of plants imported from all over the world, including African sausage trees and a Banyan tree, which was a gift from Harvey Firestone in 1925.

Originally, this was an experimental garden. Edison was interested in the various products and byproducts of the plants, which he used in many of his scientific investigations. Later Mrs. Edison enhanced the garden with many beautiful plants, including roses, orchids and bromeliads.

Detailed Botanical Tour: Edison’s tropical botanical garden, one of the most complete in America, contains more that one-thousand varieties of plants imported from all over the world, including African sausage trees and a Banyan tree from Calcutta, India that is approximately 400 feet. The Banyan tree was a gift from Harvey Firestone in 1925. Originally, this was an experimental garden. Edison was interested in the various products and by-products of the plants, which he used in many of his scientific investigations. Later, Mrs. Edison enhanced the garden with many beautiful plants, including roses, orchids and bromeliads.


East Gate Area

 

COMMON NAME

BOTANICAL NAME

LOCATION

DESCRIPTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

1

Bird of Paradise Plant

Strelitzia reginae

East side of café

Orange and blue flowers shaped like a bird’s head

South Africa

2

Fishtail Palm

Caryota mitis

East side of café

Seeds in large hanging clusters

South East Africa

3

Iodine Bush

Tabernaemontana orientalis

Near picnic area

Small white flowers have buttery fragrance

SE Asia

4

Crape Myrtle Tree

Lagerstroemia spp.

Near picnic area

Large lavender plumes; smaller than Queen’s Crape Myrtle

South Asia

5

Carob Tree

Ceratonia siliqua

Next to Powderpuff

Small petal-less dull red flowers; all parts of tree useful

South and East Africa

6

Pink Powderpuff Tree

Calliandra surinamensis

Mid-section

Powderpuff-like balls of bright pink stamens

Mexico, Guatemala

7

Yellow Flame Tree, Copperpod

Peltophorum pterocarpum

Mid-section, North side of driveway, and in picnic area

Bright yellow flowers; copper seed pods

Malaysia to Australia

8

Kassod Tree

Senna siamea

North side of driveway near east gate

Small tree with long, slender seed pods

 

Indonesia

9

Cabbage Palm (Florida State Tree)

Sabal palmetto

Mid-section and several on both Estates

White flowers

SE United States

10

Kei Apple Tree

Dovyalis caffra

Near east gate

Small white flowers; fruit has apricot flavor

South and East Africa

11

African Tulip Tree

Spathodea campanulata

South property line near east gate

Large tulip-shaped orange flowers

Tropical Africa

12

Tabebuia Tree

Tabebuia spp.

Mid-section

Tall with pale pink flowers

Tropical America

13

Royal Palm

Roystonea regia

Throughout both Estates & lining McGregor Boulevard

Large stems of small yellow flowers

Cuba, USA

14

Royal Poinciana Tree

Delonix regia

Several trees on both Estates

A few remaining red orange flowers

Madagascar

15

Yellow Ixora

Ixora lutea

Mid-section

Clusters of small yellow flowers

South Asia

16

 Mahogany Tree

Swietenia mahogani

Mid area at fork of driveway

Erect, oval, woody seed; wood used for furniture

Florida Keys, West Indies

17

 Ochrosia Tree

Ochrosia elliptica

Mid-section near south property line

Small tree has large bright red seeds

South Pacific

18

 Golden Rain Tree

Koelreuteria elegans

Along fence close to McGregor Blvd and parking lot

Yellow flowers turn to rosy-salmon papery seed pods

Taiwan, Fiji

19

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum spp.

Near Banyan tree

White spathe turns green with age

Asia

20

Java Glory Bower

Clerodendrum speciosissimum

Near Banyan tree

Bright red flowers; heart-shaped leaves

Asia

21

Bromeliad

Billbergia pyramidalis

Under many trees throughout garden

Purple-tipped red flowers in pink bracts

Brazil

22

Banyan Tree
(Edison signature tree)

Ficus benghalensis

Near west entrance gate

Small reddish seeds; many auxiliary trunks

India

23

Foxtail Palm

Wodyeti bifurcata

South side of the gazebo

Large seeds; fronds resemble foxes’ tails

Northern Australia

24

Red Ixora

Ixora coccinea

At museum east entrance

Large clusters of small red flowers

South Asia

25

Lobster Claw

Heliconia rostrata

SE corner of museum

Hanging red and yellow flowers

South America

26

Chinaberry Tree

Melia azedarach

West side of white house on
Larchmont Ave.

Clusters of small round seeds

South Asia

27

Ixora

Ixora chinesis ‘Fraseri’

North side of executive trailer on Larchmont Ave.

Large clusters of salmon pink flowers

South Asia

Museum Area

 

COMMON NAME

BOTANICAL NAME

LOCATION

DESCRIPTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

28

Sausage Tree

Kigelia africana

Near east gate, & behind ticket office

Large tree, red flowers, sausage-shaped seed pods

Africa

29

Dendrobium Orchid

Dendrobium spp.

Near north fence & on Mango tree

Cluster of small white, lavender or yellow flowers

Central & South America

30

Grand Crinum Lily,
Tree Crinum,
Poison Bulb

Crinum x asiaticum

Near north fence

Tall stems with clusters of white flowers

Asian Hybrid

31

Sacred Burmese Lily

Crinum procerum
Var. splendens

Near north fence

Tall stems with wine-colored flowers

South
Asia

32

Milk & Wine Crinum

Crinum augustum

Near north fence

Large, fragrant wine and white flowers; stems often droop

Sumatra

33

Variegated Pineapple

Ananas comosus varietgatus

Near north fence

Ornamental pineapple with variegated foliage

South Pacific

34

False Lavender, Iboza

Tetradenia riparia

Near north fence

Large lavender plumes with musky fragrance; soft leaves

South Africa

35

Pin Cushion,
African Peach

Sarcocephalus latifolius

Behind Garden Shoppe tent

Round white fragrant flowers; edible orange fruit

Africa

Moonlight Garden Area

 

COMMON NAME

BOTANICAL NAME

LOCATION

DESCRIPTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

36

Bleeding Heart

Clerodendrum thomasii

Moonlight Garden

White with red flowers

West Africa

37

Bougainvillea,
“Barbara Karst”

Bougainvillea spectabilis

Around perimeter of Moonlight Garden

Red bracts;
white flowers

Brazil

38

Gardenia,
“Miami Supreme”

Gardenia augusta – Miami Supreme

Moonlight Garden

White flowers

China

39

Begonia,
“Giant White Angel”

Begonia odorata

Moonlight Garden

White flowers

Tropical World

40

Pentas

Pentas lanceolata

Moonlight Garden

White flowers

East Africa

41

White Plumbago

Plumbago auriculata-alba

Moonlight Garden

White flowers

Tropical World

42

Blue Daze

Evolvulus glomeratus

Moonlight Garden

Blue flowers

Tropical America

43

White African Iris

Dietes iridiodes

Moonlight Garden

White flowers

South Africa

44

Blue Plumbago

Plumbago auriculata

Moonlight Garden

Blue flowers

Tropical World

45

Lily of the Nile

Agapanthus africanus

Moonlight Garden

Blue flowers

South Africa

46

Azalea

Rhododendron sp. “Red Ruffles”

Moonlight Garden

Red Flowers

Worldwide

47

Angel’s Trumpet

Brugmansia spp. (often called Datura)

Moonlight Garden

Yellow/Pink Flowers

South America

48

Pentas

Pentas lanceolata

Moonlight Garden

Pink flowers

East Africa

49

White Lantana

Lantana camara

Moonlight Garden

White flowers

Tropical World

50

Prosperity Rose

Rosa spp. “Prosperity”

Moonlight Garden

Antique white climbing rose

Worldwide

51

Roses, Antique

Rosa spp.
   “Mrs. B. R. Cant”

Moonlight Garden

Pink rosette flowers

Worldwide

52

Queen’s Wreath Vine

Petrea volubilis

Moonlight garden at chimney

Purple flowers in lavender bracts in spring

Mexico to Panama

53

Waterlily,
“Islamorada”

Nymphaea “Islamorada”

Moonlight Garden

Lavender flowers

Hybrid

54

Waterlily,
“Josephine”

Nymphaea “Josephine”

Moonlight Garden

White flowers

Hybrid

55

Waterlily, “Mrs. Martin E. Randig”

Nymphaea
 “Mrs. Martin E. Randig”

Moonlight Garden

Deep blue flowers

Hybrid

56

Podocarpus

Podocarpus macrophyllus, “Maki”

Moonlight Garden

Trees on inside of garden

Japan

57

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Brunfelsia pauciflora

Moonlight Garden

Over three days, flowers change from lavender to pale lavender to white

Brazil

58

Dwarf Papyrus

Cyperus isocladus

Moonlight Garden

In blue strawberry urns

South Africa

59

Sweet Potato Vine

Ipomea batas “tricolor”

Moonlight Garden

In blue strawberry urns

SE Africa

60

Turf Grass

Zoysia tenuifolia

Moonlight Garden

Lawn grass

Mascarene Islands

61

Wart Fern

Microsorum scolopendrum

Outer edge of Moonlight Garden

Green ground cover

North America

Estates Area

 

COMMON NAME

BOTANICAL NAME

LOCATION

DESCRIPTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

62

Mango Tree

Mangifera indica

Throughout both Estates

Popular edible fruit

Asia

63

Frangipani Tree

Plumeria ruba

On right at service gate

Pink flowers used in leis and perfume

Central America

64

Akee Tree

Blighia sapida

Next to Mysore Fig; to left of service gate

Rosy fruit is high in tree; toxic fruit must be fully ripe to be edible

Tropical Africa

65

Chenille

Acalypha hispida

Left of walk

Drooping, fluffy red flowers

South Pacific

66

Golden Champaca Tree

Michelia champaca

Near Chenille

Yellow flowers used for “Joy” perfume

India, Indonesia

67

Gardenia,
Cape Jasmine

Gardenia augusta

Several plants near tall bougainvillea

Fragrant white flowers; popular for corsages

China

68

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea glabra

Center of walkway; very tall

Purple bracts with small white flowers

Brazil

69

Java Glorybower

Clerodendrum speciossimum

Opposite bougainvillea

Large red flower spikes, heart-shaped leaves

Java

70

Bullhorn Acacia Tree

Acacia sphaerocephala

Near litchi tree

Ants inhabit thorns

Central
America

71

Lipstick Plant, Annatto

Bixa orellana

At foot of tall bougainvillea

Pink flowers; bright red seed pods have fiber used as food and cosmetic dye

Tropical America

72

Fringed Hibiscus

Hibiscus schizopetalus

West side of large bougainvillea

Pink flowers have recurved petals and a long stamen

Tropical Africa (hybrid)

73

Double Fringed Hibiscus

Hibiscus schizopetalus plenus

Small plant; near old fringed hibiscus

Double red flowers; recurved petals, but short stamens forming clusters of frilled petals like a rose

Mutant from Colombia

74

King Palm,
Alexandra Palm

Archontophoenix alexandrae

Near SE corner of Moonlight Garden

Three tall palms; have white flowers with red seeds

Australia

75

Yellow Allamanda

Allamanda cathartica

South side of Bougainvillea

Tubular yellow flowers

Brazil

76

Avocado Tree

Persea americana

North side of walk

Small tree small greenish flowers; edible fruit

West Indies,
Mexico

77

Rata Tree, Gamboge

Garcinia xanthochymus

North side of walk

Small tree; first fruit; yellow when ripe

East Indies

78

Barbados Cherry Tree

Malphigia glabra

North side of walk

Pink flowers. Edible fruit high in Vitamin C.

Tropical America

79

Rose Apple Tree

Syzyglum jambos

East side of Edison Caretaker’s House

Fruit tastes like a rose blossom smells

East Indies

80

Common Fig Tree

Ficus carica

Close to north property line

Pear-shaped edible fruit; related to Banyan tree

Asia Minor

81

Moreton Bay Chestnut Tree

Castanospermum australe

Near north fence

Chestnut-like seeds are poisonus

Australia

82

Mamey Sapote Tree

Pouteria sapota

Near Rose Apple

Sweet edible fruit has brown skin

Mexico and Central America

83

Firebush

Hamelia patens

Against north fence

Tubular red flowers

Caribbean

84

Tiger Grass

Thysanoleana maxima

Near north fence

Showy plumes; resembles bamboo

Madagascar

85

Moses-in-the-Cradle

Rhoeo spathacea

At foot of
Camphor tree

Small white flowers in center of bracts; dark green foliage with purple beneath

Mexico

86

Fire Wheel Tree

Stenocarpus sinuatus

Near the large Camphor Tree

Red with yellow stamens like a pinwheel

Australia

87

Porterweed

Stachytarpheta spp.

West of large Bougainvillea

Blue flowers (a volunteer plant)

Asia

88

Pigeonberry,
Golden Dewdrop

Duranta repens f-alba

South side of little office supporting orchids

Clusters of white flowers; golden berries

Caribbean

89

Giant Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia alba

Northwest corner of little office

Tall plant, white flowers w/ blue bract

Natal

90

Miracle Fruit Tree

Synsepalum ducificum

North side of bath house

Sour food tastes sweet after eating the berry; tiny white flowers

West Africa

91

Climbing Ylang Ylang

Artabotrys uncinatus

Near cistern

Fragrant flowers at night; yellow seeds

Madagascar

92

Rubber Vine

Cryptostegia madagascariensis

Next to cistern

Purple flowers; plant used in rubber research

Madagascar

93

Inkberry

Scaevola plumieri

Native area near swimming pool

White fan-shaped flowers; black berries

South Florida USA

94

Banana Plant

Musa acuminata

Near swimming pool

Long hanging fruit with red flower

SE Asia

95

Pond Apple Tree

Annona glabra

Three trees –
south side of pond, west side of pond,
near pier

Edible, but not popular, fruit

Caribbean

96

Papyrus

Cyperus papyrus

Right side of lily pond

First paper made from stalks c. 2750 B.C.

Northern & Tropical Africa

97

Umbrella Plant

Cyperus alternifolius

Left side of lily pond

Smaller than African Papyrus

Madagascar

98

Coconut Palm

Cocos nucifera

At river edge; numerous trees

Edible fruit

Pacific Islands

99

Button Mangrove Tree, Buttonwood

Conocarpus erectus

At riverside in the coconut grove

Tiny round green flowers

S. Florida; West Indies

100

White Mangrove Tree, White Buttonwood

Laguncularia racemosa

At riverside in the coconut grove

Small white tubular flowers

Tropical America

101

Red Mangrove Tree

Rhizophora mangle

At riverside in the coconut grove

Stilt-rooted tree; yellow flowers

Tropical America

102

Black Mangrove Tree

Avicennia germinans

At riverside in the coconut grove

Stilt-rooted tree; white flowers

S. Florida

103

Yellow Flame Tree, Copperpod

Peltophorum pterocarpum

At riverside in coconut grove

Copper seed pods

Malaysia to Australia

 104

Bougainvillea

Three varieties: deep pink, white, lavender

Along north fence in coconut grove

White flowers in center of colored bracts

Brazil

 105

Frangipani Tree

Plumeria ruba

Along north fence in coconut grove

Nine trees with variety of colored flowers

Mexico and Central America

106

Glossy Privet Tree

Ligustrum lucidum

Small trees along north fence in coconut grove

Glossy, dark green, thick leaves; small white flowers in clusters

China, Korea, Japan

 107

Hibiscus Tree

Hibiscus tillaceus

At river edge

Yellow flowers turn deep red

Caribbean

108

Cycad Collection

Cycas spp. – some with seed pods

South side of walk, near river

Oldest known seed-bearing plant; eaten by dinosaurs

Africa &
Asia

109

Dwarf Poinciana

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

West side of Litchi Tree-Replacement for original tree

Red and yellow flowers

West Indies

Rose Garden

A formal garden of 16 antique roses has been installed on the north side of the Edison House.  This represents Mrs. Edison’s interest in roses.  A long list of her roses is in the Edison Archives.

 

COMMON NAME

BOTANICAL NAME

LOCATION

DESCRIPTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

110

Tabebuia Tree

Tabebuia rosea

Northwest side of Edison house

Two trees in one; lavender and red/purple flowers

Caribbean

111

King’s Mantle

Thunbergia erecta

NW corner of Edison house

Purple flowers with yellow throat

Tropical Africa

112

Java White

Acalypha wilkesiana

West side of Edison house

Variegated green & white leaves with small, white spike flowers

Pacific
Islands

113

Bismarck Palm

Bismarckia nobilis

West side of Edison house

Grayish fronds; large round seeds

Madagascar

114

Ceylon Gooseberry Tree

Dovyalis hebecarpa

West side of Edison house near river

Purple fruit; sharp thorns

Sri Lanka

115

Florida Apricot Tree

Dovyalis hebecarpa X abyssinica

Next to
Ceylon Gooseberry

Orange fruit resembles apricot; no thorns

Florida hybrid

116

Roxburgh Fig Tree

Ficus auriculata

West side of
Edison House

Edible figs on the tree trunk; bright red inside

India

117

Candlenut Tree

Aleurites moluccana

Midway between Edison Houses on the Riverside

Round green seeds yield oil for commercial use

SE Asia

118

White Frangipani Tree

Plumeria alba

Near river at Edison Guest House

Very old tree; does not lose its foliage as do most plumerias

West Indies

Pergola Area

The area of the pergola between the two houses has been newly planted with specimens both historical and modern in accordance with the 1928-1930 map.

 

COMMON NAME

BOTANICAL NAME

LOCATION

DESCRIPTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

119

Calabash Tree

Crescentia eujete

Near river at Edison Guest House

Green flowers; hard-shelled seed pods used as cups and bowls

Central America

120

Ear Tree

Enterolobium cyclocarpum

West side of
Edison House on
river’s edge

Seed pods are shaped as a human’s ear

Tropical America

121

Floss Silk Tree

Ceiba speciosa

West side of Edison Guest House

Showy pink orchid-like flowers in spring and fall; trunk heavily spined

Brazil, Argentina

 122

Queen’s Crape
Myrtle Tree

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Near Ford garage

Seed pods used in dried floral arrangements

India & East Indies

123

Scarlet Spiral Flag

Costus spiralis

Southwest corner of Edison Guest House

Tight cone of red bracts and florets

South America

 124

Sausage Tree

Kigelia africana

South side of Edison Guest House

Hanging red flowers open at night

Africa

125

Milk and Wine Crinum

Crinum augustum

East side Edison Guest house

Large fragrant flowers

Sumatra

126

Ylang Ylang,
Perfume Tree

Cananga odorata

East side Edison Guest House

Yellow flowers used for perfume

Asia & East Indies

127

Ground Orchid

Spathoglottis plicata

At base of Swollen Silver Thatch Palm

Purple flowers;
terrestrial orchid

Malaysia

128

Bougainvillea

Bougainville spectabilis

At SE corner of  Edison House

Small white flowers in bright red bracts

Brazil

129

Tamarind Tree

Tamarindus indica

East of
Edison Main House

Brown seed pods; all parts are used commercially; small yellow flowers resemble orchids

Africa

130

Red Pineapple

Ananas bracteatus

Under the
Mysore Fig Tree

Ornamental plant

Brazil

131

Cluster Fig Tree

  Ficus racemosa

Northeast side of Edison house

Fruit edible, but not desirable

Asia

132

Longan Tree

 Dimocarpus longan

North side of
cluster fig

Brown fruit resembles litchi

India

133

Blue Plumbago

Plumbago auriculata

Near entrance gate

Showy clusters of blue flowers

Tropical world

Ford Home

 

COMMON NAME

BOTANICAL NAME

LOCATION

DESCRIPTION

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

134

Yellow Allamanda

Allamanda cathartica

On trellis at north end of Ford House

Tubular yellow flowers

Brazil

135

Foxtail Palm

Wodyeti bifurcate

At west entrance to Ford Home

Large red seeds; fronds resemble foxes’ tails

Northern Australia

136

Coconut Palm

Cocos nucifera

Near river

Edible fruit

Pacific Islands

137

Walking Iris

Trimela martinicensis

Near river

Yellow flowers, plant multiplies by runners

Caribbean

138

Night Blooming Cereus

  Hylocereus undatus

Climbing on palm tree near river

Large yellow fragrant flowers open at night

Brazil

139

Hoya Vine, Wax Plant

 Hoya carnosa

Climbing on palm tree near river

Rosettes of pink and white flowers

Australia, Asia

140

Fringed Hibiscus

Hibiscus schizopetalus

Near river

Hanging red flowers with re-curved petals

Tropical
Africa

141

Hibiscus

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Near river

Large red flowers with dark center (cultivar)

China

142

Wedelia

Wedelia trilobata

Ground cover at river

Yellow flowers

West Indies

143

Firebush

Hamelia patens

Near river

Red flowers; naturalized in Florida

Caribbean

144

Hibiscus

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Near river

Orange flowers with pink center (cultivar)

China

145

Avocado Tree

Persea americana
(three varieties)

River side of house,
center area

Small tree; small greenish flowers; edible fruit

West Indies,
Mexico

146

Peregrina,
Spicy Jatropha Tree

Jatropha integerrima

One on either side of the driveway gate

Attractive clusters of small red flowers

Cuba

147

Royal Poinciana Tree

Delonix regia

Southeast corner, near boulevard & near river

A few remaining red orange flowers

Madagascar

148

Red Powderpuff Tree

Calliandra haematocephala

At Ford driveway gate

Round balls of red stamens

Tropical America

 

Note: Orchids and Bromeliads are in bloom in various locations throughout the Estates Gardens.
Citrus and other fruit trees are being restored to the Estates Gardens.
Flower lovers will notice many wild flowers in ground cover in all sizes and colors from yellow to white to red to blue.

 

 

 

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