USF Botanical Gardens’ 23rd Annual Spring Plant Festival

 Have questions about drought and cold weather resistance or which plants thrive in shade or full sun?  Equally abundant will be the expert advice that comes with the plants. There will be more than 70 vendors selling plants and plant-related items. Attendees also will have access to the garden’s growers and members of local plant and garden clubs and societies.  In addition to plants, there will be a tool sharpener on the premises.

Inspiration will be in full bloom from the various gardens on site as well.The list of plants includes orchids, begonias, bonsais, lots of varieties of cactus, crotons, butterfly plants, camellias, bamboo, tropical fruit, citrus, gingers, plumeria, palms, bromeliads, carnivorous plants, African violets, ferns, herbs and more.

For those who haven’t been to the Botanical Gardens in a while or ever, along with more than 3000 varieties of plants, a butterfly garden and as many as 60 bird species passing through, there are new features.  The gardens’ staff put in a new children’s craft area built by two USF alumni, Lance Hans and Pauhl Gazlay of GardenCarpenty.com and a Poetry Garden, a winding path with nature-inspired poems.

 Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, with workshops at 11 .m. and noon and music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Sunday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Workshops at 11 a.m. and noon and music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children under 12 and USF Botanical Garden members are admitted free of charge to this and a year’s worth of events and reduced-rate workshops. Parking is free.