Founded in 1936 by Robert H. Montgomery and opened to the public in 1938, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables developed into both a major public garden and a research institution devoted to tropical plants and biodiversity. Named for plant explorer David Fairchild, it features a landscape plan by William Lyman Phillips and preserves many early elements alongside later additions such as the Science Village. The garden is known for outstanding collections of palms, cycads, orchids, bromeliads, flowering trees, tropical fruit, and the world’s largest collection of tropical bamboo. Its work also includes conservation, education, orchid restoration, and plant research partnerships.