Florida Botanical Gardens

Just a few miles to the south of Clearwater lies the town of Largo (not to be mistaken for its better known namesake – Key Largo! ). This where the Florida Botanical Gardens are to be found, and if you are looking for somewhere to spend a leisurely afternoon strolling through some of Florida’s most beautiful cultivated gardens, then this could be the ideal place for you.

The gardens spread over some 30 acres and you will need a minimum of a couple of hours to fully explore them.

You can call in at the Welcome Centre where you can pick up information brochures and maps to aid your wanderings, although you can even start your visit by a circuit of the pond situated in the parking lot, which contains a variety of aquatic plants and whose banks are planted with a mixture of exotic and native plant species.

If you exit the Welcome Centre on the opposite side to the parking lot you will pass the groundcover display, which attracts butterflies, and then the tropical fruit garden, before crossing the boardwalk bridge over McKay Creek. If you pause here you may get a glimpse of some of the wildlife that make this area their home. Osprey, turtles, wading birds and of course Florida’s ever present alligators may all be seen here.

You will then pass the wetlands area and on to the Palm Gardens and Pavilion.

This area contains many palm species, some of which, due to over exploitation, are now becoming rare. There is a picnic area here, with beach-themed tables and chairs should you wish to make use of the facility.

As you continue towards the formal gardens you will soon come to the Wedding Garden area. The wedding gazebo, surrounded by turfed areas, flowerbeds and fountains. This is a superb setting for that special day although it does come with a price tag of $1500, discounted by 25% for midweek weddings. From here you can stroll through the Tropical Walk, where a fascinating and colourful display of plants suited to Florida’s climate can be seen, and on to the Tropical Pavilion. If you pause here you will be able to take in the fragrances from the containers, which have been planted up with a great variety of sweet smelling species.

The Botanical Gardens do provide free guided tours periodically throughout the year, although pre-registration is recommended, but of course you are completely free to wander as you wish and make your own tour unique.

Entrance to the Gardens is free and they are open from 7 am to 7 pm daily, with the Welcome Centre being open 8 – 5 Monday to Friday.