Florida Botanical Gardens

The Florida Botanical Gardens is a 182-acre (74 ha) botanical garden located in Largo, Florida. The park showcases flora, fauna, and natural resources in motivational surroundings that promote environmentally friendly techniques.[1]

Florida Botanical Gardens
Boardwalk bridge over McKay Creek at Pinecrest Cultural Center
TypeBotanical garden
LocationLargo, Florida
Coordinates27°53′00″N 82°48′30″W
Area182 acres (74 ha)
OpenedDecember 2, 2000
Websiteflbg.org

History

The idea of the gardens started in 1991 when the Cooperative Extension Service proposed the founding of a new outdoor learning center. The plan gained support from the Pinellas county commission, which pledged $1 million and 13 additional acres for the new facility.[2]

Types of Gardens
Christmas displays at the facility

The Florida Botanical Gardens comprises of several different gardens, including the Butterfly Garden, Cactus/Succulent Garden, Cottage Garden, Herb Garden, Jazz Garden, Tropical Fruit Garden, Tropical Courtyard, The Vinery, and more.

The Wedding Garden is a popular place for weddings of any size, including mass weddings, such as the one that occurred on Valentine's Day in 2020.[3]

The Wetlands Walkway and Wildlife Overlook were added to the Botanical Gardens in 2018, and give visitors a closer look at the native flora and fauna surrounding its boardwalk trail and viewing areas.[4]

A 2-acre Children's Discovery Garden is set to break ground in 2021 as a park and education space for children and families and will include an outdoor classroom, raised beds and a potting area, a pollinator landing, trails, and play equipment.[5]

Programs and Partnerships

The Florida Botanical Gardens is managed by Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department, and have partnerships with many organizations, such as Creative Pinellas, Florida Native Plant Society, FNGLA (Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association), Florida West Coast Orchid Society, UF/IFLAS Extension, Heritage Village, PAVA (Professional Association of Visual Artists), Pinellas County 4-H Association, Pinellas County Farm Bureau, Tampa Bay Water, Pinellas County, and Pinellas Community Foundation.[6]

These partnerships create activities and events for people of all ages, including family-friendly programs like scavenger hunts and art exhibitions.[7] [8]The Gardens' formal partnership with University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFLAS) also provides opportunities for home gardeners and landscape professionals on various procedures. The Florida Botanical Gardens is a demonstration garden for UP/IFLAS.[9]

An educational sign about pond water

A collaboration with Tampa Bay Water is providing educational outreach, as the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation was one of a number of organizations and schools who received a combined $30,000 in grant funds from Tampa Bay Water. $5,500 of this money was used to manufacture and install 15 new educational signs about water use and conservation.[10]

  • 'Hawaiian Red' Banana plant in the Tropical Fruits Garden.
  • Butterfly Seat in the Butterfly Garden
  • Sign for Children in the Tropical Fruit Garden
  • Kapok tree at Florida Botanical Gardens
  • Herbs in the Herb Garden
  • Cactus & Succulent Garden
  • Bluecurls, a Florida-friendly plant
  • Pond at Florida Botanical Gardens
  • Ponytail Palm
  • Fountain

See also

References
  1. "Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation". American Public Gardens Association. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  2. "Garden History". Florida Botanical Gardens. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  3. "Dozens expected to exchange vows at mass wedding in Largo". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  4. "New walkway opens to visitors at Florida Botanical Gardens". TBNweekly. May 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. George, Logan Mosby (April 7, 2021). "Something new blooming at Botanical Gardens". TBNweekly. Retrieved August 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. "FLBGF Partners - Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation, Inc". www.flbgfoundation.org. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  7. "Third Saturdays at Pinewood will connect art, nature and history in Largo". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  8. "Creative Pinellas launches exhibit to honor loved ones lost during COVID-19 pandemic". WFTS. March 28, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  9. Communications, IFAS. "Demonstration Gardens - UF/IFAS Extension". sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  10. "Florida Botanical Gardens and Tampa Bay Water team up on educational outreach". WFTS. March 17, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.