Florida is home to a spectacular variety of native plants. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find these stunning varieties in your day-to-day life. Luckily, Florida also has a multitude of botanical gardens, many close to St. Petersburg. We’ve listed our top four local botanical gardens so you can plan your next outing. 
Florida Botanical Gardens
Admission to these stunning gardens in Largo is free, making a visit to the Florida Botanical Gardens the perfect budget outing. The gardens have more than 30 acres to explore, plus winding paths that suit a leisurely walk as you discover the beauty of Florida wildlife.
There are several different individual gardens within the park, including a herb garden, native plants garden, tropical fruit garden, butterfly garden, and cactus/succulent garden. Friendly pups are allowed in the gardens so long as they’re leashed and cleaned up after. The garden is also wheelchair accessible, though some areas have pavers that may be a little more difficult to navigate.
The gardens are located at 12520 Ulmerton Road.
Sunken Gardens
Located in St. Petersburg, the Sunken Gardens are a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike. The gardens are home to more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers, not to mention stunning water features. The garden is St. Petersburg’s oldest museum, established over 100 years ago as a place for city residents to take in the beautiful scenery and natural vistas.
Private tours are available, and the Sunken Gardens has fantastic displays year-round. These include the ever-popular Orchid Display, a must-see exhibit. The gardens also host workshops and children’s activities. Admission to the gardens is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors over 62, and $4 for children, with free on-site parking.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Only an hour away in Sarasota, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are absolutely worth the trip. Opened to the public in 1975, these gardens used to be privately owned, and are still kept up as immaculately as they were before they were public. Favorite exhibits include the Children’s Rainforest, the Epiphyte Garden, and the Bromeliad Garden.
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are located in Sarasota at 900 S. Palm Avenue. The gardens offer a number of art and photography classes, which you can check out on their schedule, as well as private tours and children’s events.
Admission is $25 for adults, $15 for youths, and children 3 and younger are free.
USF Botanical Gardens
The USF Botanical Gardens are located on the campus of the University of South Florida, in Tampa. Spanning 16 acres, this garden is home to numerous plants, flowers, and animals, many of which are native to Florida. The gardens are maintained by students and faculty, making is a special place to visit for alumni or those who know students.
As it is located on a university campus, the garden has experimental greenhouses and is used for botanical studies. There are several festivals and other events that take place at the garden. Check out the schedule for more information. Admission to the garden is free.
These are just four botanical gardens in Florida. There are lots more on the opposite coast and scattered throughout the state, but these are great local places to start!
Image via Flickr by Walter.
