Blog Note: Here's the latest post from Pat, on her favourite theme...
One of the great things about Florida is being able to leave the beach, traffic and hubbub to easily disappear into a recreational trail, nature reserve or park. While St. Pete's Sunken Gardens is the pretty girl highlighted in every tourist publication, the real beauty queen of our Pinella's County is the seldomed mentioned and blandly named Florida Botanical Gardens.
The FBG opened 11 years ago but I guessed decades more on a ramble through 30 acres of manicured gardens and 60 acres of trees, ponds and wetlands that are more natural. The variety is overwhelming; but don't despair; every plant and tree is labeled in easy-to-read grey (there's that bland again) markers.
The gardens were created as a joint project of Pinellas Culture, Education and Leisure Department and the U. of Florida. In recent years the local Master Gardeners joined with the University and the Pinellas Parks and Rec Department to maintain the gardens and the educational programs. Yeah Master Gardeners!!!
The avid gardening detectives out there can spot Purple Queen Wreath, Praying Hands Bananas and the Roxburgh Fig in the pixs. Rick and the rest of you can ID a big blue butterfly!
Ongoing funding for the park comes from the usual sources but what is NOT usual is a voluntary sales tax called "Penny for Pinellas". Admission is free--- a tax that actually gives back!
P.S. What can you grow this year from the lists of Beverage and/or Edible Plants??
P.P.S. Yes, those are flowering trees. It's spring in Zone 9.
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