The Kampong

The Kampong is named after the Malaysian word for a group of homes or a village. That is what the Kampong is, too, a village of beautiful plants from all over the world which produce flowers and fruits.

The Kampong has been in existence since the 1800's. It was originally a private residence and remained that way until 1984 when it was placed on the National Register of Historical Places. The beginnings of the garden it is today originated when Dr. David Fairchild, the Head of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction to the United States Department of Agriculture, would transfer plants from other countries to the property after he bought it in 1916. He even hosted one of the first meetings about having the Everglades declared a national park here. Many of the plants on the property today are direct descendants of these original plants.

The Kampong contains plants from Southeast Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and other tropical paradises. These plants include fruit trees, palm trees, flowering trees, ficus trees, aroids, and bamboo trees.

Education is the main goal of the Kampong. It offers workshops and lectures on different subjects related to tropical plants. Self-guided tours are available Tuesdays through Fridays (holidays not included) from 10 am until 2 pm. Guided tours are also available by reservation only.