Florida Botanical Gardens

The Florida Botanical Gardens (FBG) is a 182 acres botanical garden located in Largo, Florida. The park showcases flora, fauna, and natural resources in motivational surroundings that promote environmentally friendly techniques.

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.

The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation (FBGF) is a fund raising entity (501c3) created to provide leadership and financial support for the Florida Botanical Gardens. The FBGF began as the Friends of the Gardens in 1993 for the purposes of encouraging interest in and support for a botanical garden in Pinellas County.

The Friends became the FBGF in 2003 as a cooperative public private partnership with the intent to enrich the cultural and educational opportunities of the community at a significantly reduced cost to the taxpayers. The FBGF has successfully partnered with Pinellas County to maintain, expand and improve the Gardens since then.

The Foundation
The FBGF is committed to creating an environment at the FBG for the community to come together for education, inspiration and enjoyment.

It all began in the late 1990’s when a small group of dedicated garden lovers dreamt of creating a verdant oasis in the heart of Pinellas County. It is through their efforts the FBG opened in December 2000, converting 100 acres in the middle of the most densely populated county in Florida into a diverse garden paradise. The Foundation has been a major supporter of the gardens since its inception. The Foundation consists of a Board of Directors, staff, various committees and volunteers.

The Botanical Bounty Gift Shop is another way the Foundation raises funds for the Gardens, with a focus on the construction of the Majeed Discovery Garden. There is a large selection of botanically-themed items including t-shirts, books, apparel, home goods, children’s items, jewelry, stationery, spa items, and FBG branded merchandise. The Gift Shop is currently located in the Visitor Center of the Ulmerton Entrance. The Tropical Pavilion of the Gardens is currently being converted into a new location for the Gift Shop and Foundation offices.

Types of Gardens
The FBG is divided into several separate demonstration gardens, including a few formal gardens.

The Wedding Garden is a popular place for weddings of any size, including mass weddings. Each year on Valentine's Day, there is a Group Wedding event in which couples can get married or renew their vows in the Wedding Garden. The Butterfly Garden is popular among children and adults alike. Located next to the Visitor Center at the Ulmerton Entrance, butterflies can be seen year-round in this garden. The Cactus/Succulent Garden consists of Agave, Prickly Pear, Desert Rose, Night Blooming Cereus and Crown of Thorns are just a few of the succulents living there. The Cottage Garden is reminiscent of an old fashion English garden with heaps of perennial flowers, vines and small shrubs. Trellises are adorned with roses, White Thunbergia, and Pink Pandorea. The Herb Garden is home to classic herbs that are commonplace in our kitchens, as well as in medicinal purposes. From Lavender to Chinese Cinnamon, their strong aromas excite the senses. The Jazz Garden is light and informal. This happy garden celebrates the movement and color found in this American style of music. Annuals and perennials add that personal touch of color to the area. The McKay Creek Plaza is a work of art in itself, as it is patterns of shell and mosaic. Many social events are held here, including Holiday Lights in the Gardens and many others. The Native Plant Garden showcases all Florida native plants, however not necessarily native to Pinellas County. Native annuals, Marlberry, Firebush, Sugarberry, and Stokes Astor are a few Florida natives found here. The Palm Garden has a Florida Beach theme. Including an umbrella covered seating areas, fountain features, and a pavilion off the plaza for groups to gather. The Rose Garden is an intimate space is a celebration of the world's most cherished plant. Roses are displayed with an emphasis on how to grow and care for them in the Florida landscape. The Topiary Garden is designed to display different forms of topiary and offer a slightly different view of the plant world.

In the Tropical Courtyard, the walled gardens of southern Florida act as an inspiration for this space. Escape the Florida sun under covered porches, plant-laden arbors and shade-giving trees. The Tropical Fruit Garden has a beautiful mural and a seating area as visitors can relax among the Tropical Fruit - including a variety of banana, avocados, mangoes, papayas, and more. On the Tropical Walk, visitors can take a stroll through tropical paradise to experience new colors, textures and plants. This area features plants from Australia, Japan, China, Tropical Islands and South Florida.

The Vinery encompasses several "hubbles" covered with both tropical and temperate vines. Largely non-native, these vines are well adapted and add beauty and utility to the landscape. The Wetlands Walkway and Wildlife Overlook were added in 2018, and give visitors a closer look at the native flora and fauna surrounding its boardwalk trail and viewing areas.

Majeed Discovery Garden
The Majeed Discovery Garden (MDG), a place for children to learn and explore, is projected to open summer 2023. It will be a free and accessible children’s garden, located inside the FBG. The 2+ acres site is located along McKay Creek with 500 linear feet of frontage. It is also adjacent to 1+ acre of wetland and native plant buffer on the east and southern boundaries of the Garden, and will include a pond area for additional exploration of aquatic ecosystems. The creation of a children’s garden within the FBG will allow its visitors to focus on the care and nurture of plants and animals as they interact in creative spaces designed to stimulate all five senses.

The MDG will be a place for hands-on and experiential education in an outdoor setting, with a goal to entice, engage and educate children through discovery and play. Features will consist of an outdoor classroom, sensory garden, pollinator landing, a potting area and more.

The total estimated construction cost is $3,000,000 including design, permits, and construction. $800,000 has been secured from additional donors, including a generous gift from the David Berolzheimer Foundation. The Majeed Foundation has contributed $1,000,000. The FBGF has provided $500,000+ for the initial costs. Annual operational cost will be a function of general maintenance, programming, events, staffing requirements and volunteer participation.

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/IFAS 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.

These partnerships create activities and events for people of all ages, including family-friendly programs like scavenger hunts and art exhibitions. The Gardens' formal partnership with University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) also provides opportunities for home gardeners and landscape professionals on various procedures. The FBG is a demonstration garden for UF/IFAS. The Visitor Center at the FBG is home to the Pinellas Extension of UF/IFAS and offers diagnostic services and other information about plants and agriculture. A collaboration with Tampa Bay Water is providing educational outreach, as the FBGF was one of a number of organizations and schools that 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.

The Foundation collaborates with the Florida West Coast Orchid Society (FWCOS) on some events, including repotting clinics, plant sales, and more. FWCOS is a non-profit plant society dedicated to the preservation and conservation of orchids. They are an affiliated society of the American Orchid Society, and is open to everyone interested in the culture, enjoyment and study of orchids.

Membership
The FBGF consists of just under 800 members of various levels. Members enjoy discounts, special invitations, and other exclusive benefits such as acceptance into the American Horticulture Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP). The RAP affords FBGF members discounts on admission and other services at over 300 botanical gardens and arboreta across the U.S., Canada and a number of Caribbean Isles. FBGF members also receive discounts in the FBGF Gift Shop and in other local nurseries.

In addition to the monetary benefits, FBGF members can take part in exclusive events such as the Holiday Lights Preview Party, in which they get an first-access look at the 1 million twinkling lights. The Foundation hosts its members-only Annual Meeting to bring its members together and celebrate the growth of the Gardens.

Events
A significant part of fundraising for the FBGF comes from events. The largest and longest duration event consists of Holiday Lights in the Gardens, its annual winter fundraiser. The event begins the day after Thanksgiving and ends the first day of the new year. The Gardens sparkles with 1 million, twinkling, LED lights in a multitude of colors. Vibrant laser lights and lighted figures round out our display to wow guests of all ages. The Pinellas African American Heritage Celebration (PAAHC) is a one-day festival showcasing Black history and culture at Pinewood Cultural Park (Florida Botanical Gardens, Heritage Village, Creative Pinellas). The goal of this festival is to exhibit the diversity within Pinellas County. It aims to highlight the many talents of the students within Pinellas County Schools, talented local artists, entrepreneurs, and restaurateurs. The Florida Native plant Symposium aims to educate the public on Florida’s native plants. This event has keynote speakers, vendors, breakout sessions, and tours showcasing the Gardens' Florida native plants. The Tour of Private and Public Gardens is a collaboration between the FBG and local garden owners. Event-goers receive guided tours of the FBG, as well as private access to beautiful and varied Pinellas County gardens. Pumpkin Fest is a fall-themed festival that showcases a pumpkin patch, a scarecrow contest, pumpkin carving, and other activities. Outside vendors take part in this event by providing information and other activities. The Foundation's Botanical Bounty Gift Shop showcases its seasonal items for sale. Hops Night in the Gardens is a partnership between the Foundation and local breweries, creating a beer sampling event open to the public. Hops Night 2022 occurred in the winter-time, allowing visitors to enjoy beer under the twinkling holiday lights. The Gift & Plant Sale also takes place during the winter holiday season, allowing event-goers to shop various gift and plant vendors while enjoying the lights. Gift & Plant Sale 2022 also consisted of an auction of an assortment of items.

Third Saturdays at Pinewood is a collaboration between the Pinewood Partners: The Florida Botanical Gardens, Creative Pinellas and Heritage Village. On the third Saturday of every month, the partners invite the public to take place in events that connect all three organizations. Throughout the year, there are many other events mixed in, such as wreath workshops, plant sales, garden tours and more. These events also invite the community to get involved through volunteering.