TROPICAL PARADISE - SUNKEN GARDENS FLORIDA - Photo Tour

We enjoyed touring the Sunken Garden in St. Petersburg, Florida after the fun we had - click here to see my photo essay on the " Goddesses in the Garden" event there.

A botanical paradise in the midst of a bustling city, Sunken Gardens is indeed a Florida treasure and one of the oldest tourist attractions in St. Petersburg, FL.

Expect one Kodak moment after another - we flitted like butterflies ourselves fluttering from flower to flower exclaiming, "Oh, did you see this?:)

Besides the old well established tropical plantings you will see butterflies, flamingos, parrots and kakadus amongst massive expanses of draping pink bougainvillea with branches as big as tree trunks, huge Live Oaks and palms galore.

This is the most reasonably priced attraction in Florida and well worth the visit if you are in the Tampa Bay area. $8 for adults and $4 for children

 

Once a sink hole it was turned into a garden by a plumber named Mr. Turner back in 1924.

I've always had a soft spot for the Sunken Gardens, because I was lucky enough to see the original gardens in all their glory in 1970.  The gardens were famous for their southern antebellum beauties strolling the well manicured lawns and flowerbeds with their parasols in gorgeous gowns.

I couldn't believe it, when I saw the state of neglect the gardens were in only a few years back.

Both Jackie and I, a native of St. Petersburg, were absolutely thrilled to see this beautiful tropical garden restored by the city of St. Petersburg, updated with a rain forest information center and shining once more. So go, if you get a chance.

 ENJOY THE TOUR - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Yellow blooming tree - maybe a cassia - we saw few tags throughout the gardens.

It's already 92 degrees outside here in Florida, so bring your water bottle, lather up with sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes.

Love those tropical blooms .....

 

 

Photographing the flamingos proved to be a challenge. 

Unfortunately for us,

we saw mostly Flamingo butt and glaring sun.

 

I'm not fond of birds in cages

so I only took a picture of the Kakadu up close

and photographed one of the cages to give you an idea. 

 

Pretty bird - Kakadu

 

Huge red Caladium

 

 

 

Moving right along - well almost,

Jackie is still trying to catch a shot of those elusive flamingos:)

 

Happy Shrimp plants - four to five feet high bushes.

 

Beautiful bougainvilleas

 

Strange palm fruits

 

 

 

Blue skies and palms - classic Florida

 

 

 

Blue flower bush

 

 

 

Pretty yellow Canna

 

There are waterfalls, brooks and ponds throughout the garden.

The Koi liked the attention ...

 or maybe they were just looking for food:) 

 

Purple water lilies ... 

 

We'll be moving on to cooler, shadier areas of the garden for a well deserved rest. Thanks for coming along my gather friends:)

I hope you will join us for part II of our Sunken Gardens Tour.

Happy Mother's Day!

All images taken by Rose H. on April 9, 2009 - copyright 2009

 

Information and Directions

Sunken Gardens is located at 1825 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission costs $8 for adults, $4 for children and $6 for senior citizens. Garden tours, school field trips, and private rentals are available. Call 727-551-3100 for further information.

For special events - classes and exhibits see the Sunken Gardens own website: http://www.stpete.org/sunken/index.asp

MY TIP IF YOU VISIT FLORIDA:

The best site I found: http://goflorida.about.com/cs/attractionsalpha/a/sunkengardens.htm

We loved the gift shops unusual selection at all price ranges and there is another gift shop for the Great Explorations Children's Museum with great nature and science kits and wonderfully creative gifts. Think Christmas gifts, the nature and animal drawing kits are just fabulous.