Category: Nature

Images and words attempting to capture the beautiful world we live in

The Florida Botanical Gardens, A Tampa Bay Favorite

Carol 14 Comments 
Quote on walk

Pinellas County Florida Botanical Gardens 
12520 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33774

For me one of the highlights of the Tampa Bay Area is the Florida Botanical Gardens. The Gardens is a Pinellas County learning experience as well as a beautifully exotic horticultural garden. It officially opened to the public on Dec. 2, 2000, and currently showcases 25 gardens and display areas with 10,000 plants on 150 acres.  Admission is free but a donation of $2.00 is suggested to help fund the maintenance of the gardens.  It is open Monday through Friday 7 am to 5 pm and is closed on weekends and on county holidays.  There are special hours of operation  for  the Christmas Light display which you can see here.

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Naples Botanical Garden, Amazing Landscape Architecture

Carol 44 Comments

Besides the silver sandy beaches, Naples, Florida is home to an opera, an orchestra, a beautiful art museum, and a world-class tropical garden.  Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre tropical  garden paradise that features the plants and cultures of the tropics and subtropics between the latitudes of 26 degrees North & South.  Well designed and well-kept, it is a delight even for non-plant lovers. There are so many unique outdoor environments to explore on the sprawling campus with helpful free maps to guide you around.

 

 

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5 Steps For A Butterfly Garden, Help Our Pollinators #2

Carol 32 Comments
The flower doesn’t dream the bee. It blossoms and the bee comes.
– Mark Nepo

The 2nd of a two post series on pollinators. If you missed it,  catch up here: Part 1, Make Your Garden A Bee Haven.   Even though some of the plants and garden care are the same for butterflies and bees, I feel it’s important to consider their specific needs. Updated 6/23

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