The gardens are situated on property shared with the Pinellas County Extension service and Heritage Village, a living history museum.
The site features a dedicated 'wedding garden' specifically designed for outdoor ceremonies and events.
It serves as a demonstration site for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping program, which promotes water conservation.
The gardens host a massive annual holiday light display that incorporates millions of LED lights throughout the grounds.
A specialized sensory garden is integrated into the site to accommodate visitors with diverse accessibility needs.
The park includes an apiary area used for educational demonstrations regarding local pollinator health.
The Florida Botanical Gardens spans over 100 acres in Largo, showcasing both formal landscaped beds and native Florida ecosystems. The grounds are divided into distinct zones, including a tropical courtyard, a cactus and succulent garden, and a designated butterfly garden. Visitors explore via a network of paved paths that wind through pine flatwoods and wetlands bordering McKay Creek. The site emphasizes environmental education and the preservation of indigenous plant species. It functions as a public research and demonstration center for xeriscaping and sustainable gardening practices. The Pinellas County Cooperative Extension service is co-located on the premises, providing agricultural resources. A significant portion of the grounds features a boardwalk system providing access to preserved natural habitat areas. The gardens are actively managed by a non-profit foundation to support botanical research and community programming.
The elevated boardwalk bridge overlooking the creek and native wetland vegetation.
Bring insect repellent, as the natural wooded areas and wetlands are prone to mosquitoes.
Check the events calendar for the annual 'Holiday Lights in the Gardens' as it significantly impacts crowd levels.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the combined paved and boardwalk routes cover significant distance.
Attempting to cover the entire property in the middle of a summer day without sufficient water.
Open daily throughout the year, though specific garden sections may occasionally close for private event setup.
Stay on marked trails to protect sensitive native habitats; do not remove any plant material.
