Florida Botanical Gardens

Approaching the best-of-class annual bedding plant display.

Attractive planters with room for more display the many snapdragons, violas, pansies and dianthus selected as best-of-class in Gulf Coast Research & Center trials. Some flowers displayed here are between flushes of flower color and not fully developed. A box containing cultivar names and sources are available on site.

Trickle irrigation system.

Visit their website: Florida Botanical Gardens

Beauty - Service - Knowledge

Rick Kelly

I recently paid a visit to Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, Florida, to visit and photograph a new program we are attempting with the garden. The Gulf Coast Research & Education Center conducts research on the performance of seed propagated annual bedding plants. This was the first test of a new display of our best-of-class selections. Be sure to ask to see the best-of-class annuals. You can request the named varieties from your garden center, if they do not carry them; or you can find them on our web site, and contact the seed companies to find out where you may purchase these plants.

When you build a botanical garden in the heart of an agricultural extension service, you get more for you tax dollars than you would imagine. First, you get lost in the beauty of a garden, as you wander the trails with new and different garden displays around every turn. You also benefit from the service provided by an experienced extension service staff. As I entered the main building the day of my visit, homeowners were querying the staff about plant varieties and plant names, and classes were underway about plants and topics associated with them. Finally, for those who desire more than a quick run through the flowers, knowledge is gained about plants, their environment and how you can utilize this new information to make life better and more enjoyable. That is just part of the story.

These gardens have a tropical flair, and though Jack Frost dealt them a blow this winter, the few plants affected are recovering nicely. Most of the plants on display are in good condition. Visit the garden website (Florida Botanical Gardens) to read the rest of the story of beauty, service and knowledge. Then visit this garden and the other gardens found around this state. You'll be glad you did.

Visit all the wonderful public gardens in Florida. They can be found at this link: http://www.floridaplants.com/flgardens/regional.htm.

Click on the thumbnails below to view larger pictures of my visit.

The first Best-of-Class Display of Annual Bedding Plants

A Cooperative Effort Between Florida Botanical Gardens & University of Florida - IFAS

Unlike the other gardens that displayed flowers in ground beds, Florida Botanical Gardens chose to display the best-of-class flowers in attractive planters filled with compost. This is another way gardeners may choose to grow bedding plants. Water is supplied by trickle irrigation. This display may be expanded down the length of this lawn area in the future.

Annual Bedding Plants


Sweet alyssum, red and blue-violet verbena, and red Salvia cochineal.	Begonia x hybrida.	Begonia semperflorens.	Salvia splendens.
	Begonias [Begoniaceae].

Architectural Features

Many manmade features grace these gardens.


Bamboo contained by an ornate gate.	One of the ornate garden gates.		Tile mosaics depicting flowers.			A metal screen in an attractive floral pattern.

Architectural Features

Water Features


Sculpture covered in mosaic tiles.	An interesting brick path with individual bricks dedicated to individuals.	Water and stone come together to enhance the garden's affect.

The Plants


Beauty berry (Callicarpa americana) [Verbenaceae (Vervain)].		Spiderwort (Commelina sp.) [Commelinaceae].		(Nymphaea odorata) [Nymphaeaceae].		Bottlebrush (Callistemon sp.) [Myrtaceae].


Crown of thorns (Euphorbia splendens) [Euphorbiaceae]; another species in background, and a close-up of flowers.		Foxglove (Digitalis spp.) [Scrophulariaceae] tucked in with yarrow and other herbs/medicinals.		White yarrow or milfoil (Achillea millefolium) [Asteraceae (Compositae)].	Cardboard palm (Zamia furfuraceae) [Cycadaceae].


Madagascar palm (Pachypodium lamerei) [Apocynaceae]	Herbs like curly parsley are attractive in the landscape.	Irises [Iridaceae].				Dwarf vaiegated schefflera (Schefflera arboricola 'Variegata') [Araliaceae].


Water and plants combine to yield a cooling, soothing combination. Note the dark aroid above.				A garden full of colorful canna or Indian shot (Canna indica) [Cannaceae].

Topiary


White bird of paradise provides palm-like stature with the intricate colorful blossoms of this member of the banana family.	Climbing ficus or creeping rubber plant (Ficus pumila) [Moraceae].	Powder puff (Calliandra sp.) [Fabaceae (Leguminosae)].
	Topiary - man guiding plants into familiar and artistic forms.

Landscape Vistas


Every turn of the garden offers a new scene and new plants to explore.

Landscape Vistas		Roses

Stately date palms frame the landscape.		New rose bushes will bring new life to the garden; potted miniatures as well as climbers bring familiar color for weddings and all occasions.

Inside the Extension Building

Weddings in the Gardens


A waterfall and crystal-clear pond filled with color Koi grace the Pinellas County Extension lobby.				A lovely place to begin a new life together, surrounded by floral beauty.

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