Gardens
Explore our history, mission, gardens, and the people preserving Nehrling’s legacy for future generations.
Our Gardens
About Nehrling Gardens
Today, Nehrling Gardens serves as a community resource and education center, offering guided tours, service-learning projects, educational workshops, volunteer opportunities, and internships at Henry Nehrling's historic Palm Cottage Gardens.
Nehrling Gardens is the former home of renowned horticulturist Dr. Henry Nehrling, who purchased the property in 1885 to establish a garden where he could experiment with tropical and subtropical plants year-round. Located in Gotha, Florida, just outside Orlando, the property became one of the state's earliest experimental botanical gardens.
The historic Florida wood-frame vernacular home and detached kitchen, originally built in the 1880s, were relocated to the property by ox cart in the early 1900s when the Nehrling family settled in Florida.
Nehrling Gardens is the former home of renowned horticulturist Dr. Henry Nehrling, who purchased the property in 1885 to establish a garden where he could experiment with tropical and subtropical plants year-round. Located in Gotha, Florida, just outside Orlando, the property became one of the state's earliest experimental botanical gardens.
The historic Florida wood-frame vernacular home and detached kitchen, originally built in the 1880s, were relocated to the property by ox cart in the early 1900s when the Nehrling family settled in Florida.
Living History
A Historic Botanical Legacy
Over the years, Dr. Nehrling tested more than 3,000 new and rare plant species for the Bureau of Plant Industry, now the USDA. By the early 1900s, the gardens had become a destination for tourists, botanists, nature lovers, and new Florida settlers.
Distinguished visitors—including Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Liberty Hyde Bailey, Theodore Mead, and Dr. David Fairchild—recognized and celebrated Dr. Nehrling's groundbreaking work.
Although Dr. Nehrling originally purchased more than 40 acres between 1885 and 1897, today the remaining 6-acre homestead, including a portion of Lake Nally, preserves the heart of his legacy.
Visitors can still experience specimens from the original century-old tree canopy, many of Dr. Nehrling's historic plantings, and the original home—an authentic example of pioneer Florida life.
Distinguished visitors—including Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Liberty Hyde Bailey, Theodore Mead, and Dr. David Fairchild—recognized and celebrated Dr. Nehrling's groundbreaking work.
Although Dr. Nehrling originally purchased more than 40 acres between 1885 and 1897, today the remaining 6-acre homestead, including a portion of Lake Nally, preserves the heart of his legacy.
Visitors can still experience specimens from the original century-old tree canopy, many of Dr. Nehrling's historic plantings, and the original home—an authentic example of pioneer Florida life.
Our Mission
Continuing Dr. Nehrling’s Garden Vision
The Henry Nehrling Society was founded in 1999 with the mission of saving and restoring the property. That goal became a reality in 2009 when the Society acquired the gardens.
Today, the nonprofit organization owns and operates Nehrling Gardens through the dedication of its volunteer board, staff, and community supporters.
More than a century after its founding, Nehrling Gardens continues Dr. Nehrling's vision by inspiring visitors through historic preservation, horticultural education, and environmental conservation.
Today, the nonprofit organization owns and operates Nehrling Gardens through the dedication of its volunteer board, staff, and community supporters.
More than a century after its founding, Nehrling Gardens continues Dr. Nehrling's vision by inspiring visitors through historic preservation, horticultural education, and environmental conservation.
