Spring Blooms

A number of fruit trees are in bloom at the garden. Although it is supposed to freeze tonight, it looks like spring.

Sandhill

Here is a photo of the sandhill area after the volunteers were done with their work. The photo cannot really fully capture the transformation, but a great deal of understory was removed and many larger non-sandhill trees were also removed.

Volunteers Restore Sandhill

These hard working volunteers helped the garden restore the sandhill area. They were alumni, students, and faculty from the Department of Geography and the Environmental Science and Policy Program at USF.

Camellias

It's camellias time in the Gardens. We have a number of varieties - all in bloom in the shade garden.

Lion's Ear

Leonotus leonurus, also called Lion's Tail - this herb is just coming into flower in the medicinal display bed, next to the herb and scent garden. The flowers are orange, tubular and are pollinated by hummingbirds.

Shaving Brush Tree

This is in bloom now - the shaving brush tree - Pseudobombax ellipticum. it is in the malvaceae family (hibiscus) and is from Mexico. You'll notice there are no "typical" petals. The second photo is of new buds.

Restoring Sand Hill Habitat

One area of the garden consists of a native pine sandhill ecosystem. Unfortunately, due to fire suppression in the urban area, some less desirable vegetation moves in on occasion. Recently, a group of Environmental Science and Policy and Geography alumni, current students, and faculty worked to help to clean out the area of non-sandhill vegetation. This invasive succulent was the first to go. More sandhill photos for the next week.

More Hibiscus!

Hibiscus

Chalice Vine

One of the most asked about flowering vines in the garden is the Chalice Vine (Solandra maxima). To read about this vine, please see this link.

The flowers are quite spectacular. They are pollinated by bats. They grow vigorously along a fence or on a trellis. On occasion, the gardens plant shop has some of the plants for sale that were rooted from the cuttings taken from the one on the grounds.

Cactus and Succulents in Bloom

The cactus and succulents area is really looking great right now--many plants are in bloom. Here's just a couple--aloe and crown of thorns.

Peaceful Spot in the Garden

There is an abundance of water at the Botanical Gardens. There is a big lake, and this lovely water feature. It is set among the bamboo and the bonsai.