Florida Botanical Garden - Rose and Wedding Garden - Photo Tour

The weather was picture perfect last Saturday when we visited the Botanical Garden in Largo, FL. A must see if you happen to visit our area - and - drum roll please, "It's free!"

The Rose Garden within the walled Wedding Garden.

It's a beautiful garden any time of the year and covers several acres including nature habitats.

So wear comfortable shoes, plenty of suntan lotion and bring your water.

This is the first in a mini series about the garden.

For more information, I posted a link to their site and my travel tips at the end of this post in case you get a chance to visit. 

Heritage Village - a 21-acre living history museum is located across the road. More then 25 historic structures situated among the native pine and palmetto landscape.

So come along for the tour of the Wedding and Rose Garden!

The entrance to the courtyard on the way to the wedding garden.

Mosaics are everywhere - I particularly enjoyed these, because I do mosaic projects too:) ...

You'll be walking past tropical palms and plants .....

..... blooming exotic beauties in the courtyard ...

PALMS EVERYWHERE - THIS IS FLORIDA:) - besides they also have a tropical and palm garden.

Lots of comfortable benches everywhere ... THANK GOODNESS

... before you ever reach the "WEDDING GARDEN'

...  beautiful gates ...:)

... no, I didn't lay down to take a photo like this photographer:) but I did climb up on things, like benches ...:)

Makes you wonna get married again - it's so beautiful - well, almost:)

I wondered if they were thinking about getting married there or what?:) There was a young man with a chinese paper parasol who accompanied these two ladies.

THE ROSE GARDEN comprises one fourth of this beautiful walled Wedding Garden. There is also a Jazz Garden, a Topiary Garden and a Country Garden.

It's a beautiful setting for any type of event and one of my most favorite parts of the garden.

The sun was glistening really bright which faded some of the rose colors - sorry.

Enchanting ...

The Don Juan rose was in full bloom .....

Heavenly scents perfumed the air:)

These bush roses reminded me of pink perfection.

I loved how they just happened to grow in the shape of a half wreath.

All the benches, all the beautiful fountains and art are donated - like this chinese looking moon gate below.

Sadly, we have a drought in Florida and no fountains were running.

... the roses embraced the moon gate .....

A few close ups for your enjoyment ..... it was tough to pick a favorite:)

Loved these pink roses ...:)

 So romantic ...

Mosaic  detail ...

..... don't you just love this color - luscious:)

Mini roses on a trellis ...

Amazing how roses have this repertoire of color while they are blooming .....

This trio was finished blooming - but still, isn't it beautiful?

Really, I didn't even take a picture of all the roses, it was tough to just walk away, but maybe I'll get a chance to re-visit while the roses are blooming:)

Fiery beauty with a lovely scent too .....

Shadows of the cuppola in the Wedding Garden .....

One last look from a distance.

View from the other side of the walled Wedding Garden.

 Stay tuned for more to come from the Florida Botanical Gardens ...:)

Thanks for coming along on the tour!

All images taken by Rose H. - copyright 2009 - Olympus SP-565-UZ digital camera

My tips if you'd like to go: 

Bring along your comfortable shoes, water and sunscreen. The garden comprises several acres and they keep adding to it. The nature habitat has alligators and ducks and of course there is a butterfly garden, a natural area trail, tropical walk (don't miss that one) and everything from eco ponds to bromeliads, seasonal and sculpture garden to name just a few.

You will not find any restaurants or concession stands so be sure to bring your own food - there is a picnic area. 

If you happen to visit in December be sure to go see the garden all lit up after dark, it's beautiful and sometimes on the weekends they have music.

There is a gift shop, an Art Museum, several acres of different gardens and like I mentioned above The Heritage Village a 21 acre area located just across the street.

For the ladies, there are several public restrooms throughout the gardens and I've always found them to be clean and by the way they do have water fountains for drinking too.

Be sure to get a visitor's map at the garden entrance - you'll need it. The maps are  "free" at each of the garden entrances.

They do a Saturday Morning Market, fruits and vegetables, breakfast food and specialty vendors too. Only from October to April. It just gets too hot around here:)

Here's the link for more info and to find out if they have any special events - usually on the weekend. Sometimes they have plant festivals and films and exhibitions.

For the garden www.flbg.org

For the museum www.gulfcoastmuseum.org

For the Heritage Village www.pinellascounty.org/heritage