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Any suggestions for gardens to visit in Tampa?

15 years ago

My wife and I are going to the Tampa area this weekend and the beginning of next week. Does anyone have any suggestions of gardens we could visit while we are there? We are staying between Tampa and Clearwater and don't mind a bit of a drive to get to something nice.

Thanks for the advice. Jeff

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Comments (7)

lucretia1
15 years ago
If you want to go as far south as Sarasota, the Ringling Museum is worth a visit. Incredible classic art by the masters. There's also a wonderful garden on what used to be the Ringling estate, if I remember correctly. I don't remember the exact name, but it's lovely and you could probably do a search on "Ringling" and gardens and find it. (Turns out the clowns were happy after all!) Haven't been to the sunken gardens around Tampa, but they're supposed to be nice.
malcolm_manners
15 years ago
Not much blooming yet at Florida Southern College, in Lakeland, but you'd be welcome to visit the rose gardens here. We do have kajillions of buds on the bushes, but I'd say we're almost 2 weeks from good full bloom. We should have some flowers early next week, though. HT buds are dime-size today. Temps this week are upper 80s, so they'll develop fast. We're pretty much on schedule for a peak bloom the 3rd and 4th weeks of April.
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If you're coming up from the south (I-75) and are driving past Sarasota, stop at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (http://www.centralfloridagarden.com/images/Selby/selby.html). It will meet both of your criteria: it is an "impressive" public garden and it's a short drive from St. Armand's Circle, where there are plenty of nice restaurants and great shopping. My problem with this suggestion - "impressive" often means "unachievable" for the average gardener. So I'd actually recommend something different. Go to the Discovery Garden at the Hillsborough County Extension Office in Mango (http://www.centralfloridagarden.com/images/discovery/discovery.html). The garden is based on principles and approaches that are within the reach of most gardeners and some areas of the Discovery Garden are quite well done. As to food - welcome to Tampa, your options are limited. Most restaurants here are part of chains. But I have a major weakness for one of them - the Cheesecake Factory. There is one off Route 60 in the Brandon Mall about 5 miles south of the Discovery Garden.
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anntn6b
15 years ago
I had asked about Garden Centers in St Petersburg on the Florida Forum back in Dec 2008. The thread isn't there any more, but the recommendations led to some really good sellers and some I could roses with.
If you have time, visit Malcolm's collection (and if you like architecture, visit Malcolm's campus. Such a neat combination of roses and Frank Lloyd Wright.)
lucretia1
15 years ago
Bok Tower Gardens is about an hour away in Lake Wales, and an incredibly beautiful place. Also has the highest elevation in the State--around 300 some odd feet above sea level.

Definitely worth the drive!
tampafred
15 years ago
Hi Jeff, you may want to visit the University of South Florida's Botanical Gardens.

Also, I know it's a bit of a drive, but Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival is going on now through May.

Have a safe trip and enjoy your stay!

Here is a link that might be useful: USF Botanical Gardens
thonotorose
15 years ago
The Sarasota garden is Marie Selby, world famous orchid collections and study. Stupendous!
gardennatlanta
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the good suggestions. Looks like my visit is just a little early but I have no control over when I get to go.

Malcolm, Will you be at the garden next week? I've heard a lot about it and enjoyed the pictures I've seen of it.

Ann, Do you remember any of these garden centers? If my visit is a little early for many blooms in public gardens, a garden center will probably have more blooms.

lucretia1 and thonotorose, Thanks for the info on the Ringling Bros garden. I've heard from others that it's a great place to visit.

Tampafred, Thanks for the tip on U of S. Fl garden. I'd seen it in a AAA tourbook and wondered about it. I'll be near there so it won't be difficult to get there.

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