Finally made it to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

5 years ago

Not a lot to see, since we had that cold snap that burned back so many things, and of course, a lot was gone dormant, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

One thing that surprised me was how many wild pineapples (Bromelia pinguin) they had there. I guess they're a great way to keep people from trudging off the path and into sensitive areas, and honestly, I pity the person who has to keep them thinned out and trimmed up. I had one growing in a pot gifted to me, and I can see why the gifter said that I had to have a large place to put it.

I got a small Forsythia Sage (Salvia madrensis) this year, and had never seen a large one. They have several that are just sprawling all over the place, and they were still in flower, so I got to see that I will definitely have to keep this one cut back and pull up the runners lest it take over my tiny space.

All in all, it was a very interesting place, and I'll definitely go back in the spring when things are blooming and growing. I'd love to raid their trash pile for cuttings!

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irma_stpete_10a

5 years ago

I was there last week. I had been there several years ago. I was surprised by how uncared for much of it seemed, and wished I lived nearby so I could volunteer.

One thing I found special was the children's garden (the one with potted plants) because plants were labeled and often had something to illustrate the common name - like, a tiny toy zebra with the zebra plant. Sadly, even most of these plants needed freshening.

I did like that several (red) plants were blooming well in the "butterfly garden".

I didn't even notice the wild pineapples! It would be good to tour it with someone with your knowledge and experience.

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Comments (13)

sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
5 years ago
Thats great that you both got to go. Too bad n9t a lot was blooming and it wasnt well cared for. I am hoping to get dowm to Fairchild this spring for my Bday.

The Corona mess will probably ruin my plans again this year. If its open, I will just go and wear a mask.
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irma_stpete_10a
5 years ago
I went out and about in FL in November. Everyone was wearing masks. Hotels, restaurants, dollar stores, museum, Kanapaha. Some places took my phone # so if they needed later to advise me of a Covid event they could call me.

Only place I felt like a freak in my mask was at a 2-day outdoor music event (Riverhawk) where we were asked to wear them when walking around -- but 90% of people did not. I patronized the vendors but not the ones who (surprisingly) were not wearing masks.
bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
5 years ago
Deb we really like Kanapaha although we haven’t been in a couple of years.

Sultry I'm hoping to go to Fairchild next May if the Redland Orchid show is on…also in Miami. The vendors are all outside so I hope it’s not cancelled due to covid.
dirtygardener
Original Author
5 years ago
Irma, I heard some of the employees talking about a part-time volunteer coming in to help them. I did see one person trimming back some of the frost burned plants. I heard they had to lay off some workers due to income loss due to the pandemic, and a lot of volunteers (who are mostly older) are not working anymore due to not wanting to be around visitors during the pandemic. I'd be really happy to go out there with you in the spring, when everything is blooming, but I can't go when it's hot.
irma_stpete_10a
5 years ago
The heat is hard on me, too. Give me a shout in the spring. Maybe we could get a little group to go volunteer for a couple of days???
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If we go down to the Miami area to see Fairchild , we will also most likely also go Peacock Bass fishing somewhere because that's what hubby likes to do lol.
Glenn Jones(9b)
5 years ago
I've never been there did you get any pictures?
irma_stpete_10a
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Glenn, I'm crazy for plants blooming with flowers, so that's what they are. (I don't recall seeing any plants with edibles - your bailiwick.)
irma_stpete_10a
5 years ago
irma_stpete_10a
5 years ago
Glenn Jones(9b)
5 years ago
Very cool pics Dirtygardener and Irma. Thanks
dirtygardener
Original Author
5 years ago
Glenn, my son got a lot of pictures. I'll ask him to send them to me and post them here.