Edison Park Historic District in Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Succulent Garden
A Favorite Plant of the Edisons in Fort Myers
| | Edison and Ford Winter Estates | |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025
1. Succulent Garden Marker
A Favorite Plant of the Edisons in Fort Myers
Succulents are plants adapted for arid (dry) conditions. These plants usually have cells in the roots, stems or leaves, with superior water retention. Edison often planted unusual "collector specimen" plants throughout his property. In fact, the impressive century plant (Agave americana) was one of the first specimens Edison purchased for his Fort Myers estate.
Practical Plants
Some succulents contain latex, and were tested for their rubber value by the Edison Botanic Research Corporation. Many of the species represented in this succulent garden, like aloes, agaves and euphorbias, were common conservatory plants in Edison's home in New Jersey and his winter home in Fort Myers.
Fast Facts:
"Succulent" comes from the Latin succulentus, meaning "having juice"
There are over 6,000 species of succulents, including Aloe vera, which has been used for centuries to treat burns
A cactus is a succulent, but not all succulents are cacti not all cacti have spines, and some succulents do
(captions)
Above: Edison poses next to a century plant circa 1930
Left: Edison often referred to his Fort Myers estate as his "jungle," as this undated photo helps to convey
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry.
Location. 26° 38.003′ N, 81° 52.738′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It is in the Edison Park Historic District. It is on McGregor Boulevard 0.1 miles north of Llewellyn Drive, on the right when traveling north. Located on the grounds of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on the laboratory side of the complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2351 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers FL 33901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Palmetum (within shouting distance of this marker); Kapok (within shouting distance of this marker); Experimental Plots (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lay of the Land (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edison Heritage Garden (about 300 feet away); Three Famous Friends And Their Quest For Rubber (about 300 feet away); Artesian Well (about 300 feet away); Edisons Bayon Tree (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.
Other markers no longer nearby. Mina Miller Edison (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) (was about 300 feet
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025
2. Succulent Garden Marker
Also see . . .
1. Edison and Ford Were into Plants?. (Submitted on August 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Edison and Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on August 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
