On September 23-24, Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens open their gates from 9AM to 3PM for tours, a plant sale, and free seminar, "You CAN Easily Grow Roses in FLA in Containers or in The Ground." This class will be taught by Dr. John Alleyne, Director of the University of Florida/IFAS-Martin County Extension Office, at 10 AM on Saturday.

Four beautiful rose bushes will be raffled off to seminar attendees - an elegant hybrid tea rose, a beautiful grandiflora, a lush floribunda, and a superb example of a David Austin English-style rose. In addition, a selection of roses will be for sale.

Something new: visitors to the gardens are encouraged to take pictures while they are there and enter the PHOTO CONTEST. Just submit a favorite TRBG Photo by October 15 and the winners will receive a Gardens Gift Card at the October 28-29 opening. Rules are available at our web site www.tropicalranchbotanicalgardens.com.

As always, there will be hundreds of rare and unusual plants for sale as well as better known landscaping plants, many of which may be seen in their mature form within the Gardens. For example, there will be variegated mahoe, assorted blooming gingers, unusual yellow oleanders, and a wide variety of passion flowers.

The public is invited to stroll through the three acre Botanical Gardens at no charge. There are many specialty areas: the International, Oriental, Bamboo, and Butterfly Gardens, as well as the Mexican Patio Area. Last spring, a Living Library containing a Champion South Ridge Holly was inaugurated. Tropical Ranch Gardens is the first and only Botanical Garden in Martin County. In 2000, Diane Rexroad and Jim Haines established these unique and diverse gardens that surround their home. These gardens offer homeowners a good example of what can be accomplished on their property. Rexroad and Haines will lead a tour of the Gardens each day at 1PM.

The Gardens are located at 1905 SW Ranch Trail in the Tropical Farms area of Martin County. Please telephone for directions or further information (772-283-5565) or go to our website: www.tropicalranchbotanicalgardens.com.