SUMMER/FALL 2011

Foundation Matters 3 New In The Gardens 5 Join the Herb Garden Crew 7 Meet The Harders 9

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The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation (FBGF)

12520 Ulmerton Rd.Largo, FL 33774(727) 582-2117

www.flbgfoundation.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORSChuck Scaffidi, Chair

Terri Ziegler, Vice Chair

Erhan Ozey, Treasurer

Terry Berube, Secretary

Dianne Wheatley-Giliotti, Parliamentarian

Alicia ChiversPat DieterichEmma EshbaughBarbara GossVivian HaickenSue HamillKathleen JamisonMary Sweeney

ADVISORSPaul Cozzie, Parks & Recreation Director

Steven Harper, Parks and Conservation Resources

Theresa Badurek, Urban Horticulture Extension Agent

Board of County Commissioners Representative

Jean Barnes, Technical

LIAISONSEmma Eshbaugh, Master GardenersWayne Ayers, Heritage Village

Florida Friendly Footprint Chuck Scaffidi, Editor

Kathleen Jamison, Assistant Editor

To comment, call (727) 582-2117 or email cscaffidi@co.Pinellas.fl.us

The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation, a charitable non-profit501(c) (3), was formed in 2003 forthe primary purpose of raising capital needed to add new gardensand other facilities to the Florida Botanical Gardens.

Dear Members,

We hope you like the Footprint’s new focus and new look. Our goal

is to bring members more information about the Florida Botanical

Gardens, the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation and the

important role that members play in growing and maintaining

this Pinellas County treasure.

As we are all painfully aware, in this still sluggish economy most

government agencies – in the state and throughout the country –

are in serious belt-tightening mode. This impact on the Gardens

makes the financial as well as moral support of our members more

critical than ever before. Your $30 individual, $50 family and up to

$5,000 corporate memberships can mean the difference between

a garden blazing with colorful blooms that is open without charge

to local citizens and visitors and a scaled back version with limited

hours and perhaps at some point an entrance fee.

We also want to encourage our members to visit more often, take advantage of our

membership benefits, get involved in Garden projects, help us recruit new members, and, for

those so inclined, to experience the pure joy of unleashing those green thumbs and actually

working in the various gardens.

At present, the Foundation has just 259 members which indicates we are not doing as good

a job as we would like in making more people aware of the extraordinary living museum

right in their own backyard and educating them about the important part they can play in

sustaining the gardens we all love so much. As we work harder to grow our own marketing

skills, won’t you please help out by introducing friends and neighbors to the Gardens and

encouraging them to become a member.

There are lots of flowers in bloom right now and new additions are already being planned

for the fall. Looking even farther ahead, work is well underway on our always spectacular

Holiday Lights (Nov. 26-Jan. 1) and next May’s Diggin’ the Arts, the Foundation’s first ever

collaboration with some of the area’s leading art institutions. Bringing more art to the

Gardens—and perhaps a new audience—is one of our goals.

To keep in closer touch with our supporters, Master Gardeners and volunteers, we also are

developing our social media skills. Look for us on Facebook, tweet us on Twitter, or watch

your e-mailbox for updates on such things as what plants we are buying with your

membership dues and when and where we will be planting them. (Only about half of you

have let us know your e-mail address so you’ll have to send it to the volunteer office –

cscaffidi@co.pinellas.fl.us – if you want to receive these “short and sweet” messages.

Please be assured that the FBGF respects your privacy and will not bombard you with

e-mails.)

With great appreciation,

Foundation President and Volunteer Coordinator

Printed on 100% recycled paper using 100% wind energy in a carbon neutral process.

The mission of the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation is to provide leadership and financial support for the Gardens and to promote the enjoyment, understanding

and conservation of plants and the natural world.

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Foundation MattersAs you will see, lots has been happening in recent months. To bring you up to date, here

are some of the highlights.

The condo left to the Foundation by long-time member Irene Costello was sold to an investment

group for $24,000, less than was hoped for but the best possible in this upside down real estate

market. The investment group also made a $2,500 donation to the FBGF. q

The Board is in the process of developing the FY2012 budget and operating plan. You’ll be glad to

know that Board members are becoming experts at “doing more with less.” Anyone interested

will be able to review the completed documents in the volunteer office by making an appointment

with FBGF President Chuck Scaffidi at 727-582-2117 or via e-mail at cscaffidi@co.Pinellas.fl.us. q

At the September meeting, officers will be elected and terms will be renewed for current board

members. If you have the time and interest, the board is always looking for new members. You can

get more information from Chuck. q

Aquatic Reflections, the glass mosaic that is filling the empty pools of the Wedding

Garden, is almost completed. Foundation members will be invited to a gala celebration of

this exciting art project during Holiday Lights (Nov. 25-Jan.1), but don’t wait until then to

stop by for a look. This has been a complex undertaking for the Foundation, which has had

to juggle art, technology, weather, construction approvals, volunteer labor and funding.

Despite generous donations of volunteer time and talent, some materials and help from

the County, the Foundation is quickly reaching its $27,000 budget limit. The project is

receiving rave reviews from visitors who have seen it being installed and there has already

been some great local media coverage. As word spreads, the glass ponds filled with lily

pads, goldfish and frogs will hopefully draw more admirers to our beautiful gardens.

This is our first major Art in the Gardens project, with more to come. Visit the Wedding

Garden to “Find the Turtle” in our new mosaic.q

When the thermometer reads 90 plus, it’s hard to imagine how close we are

to the kickoff of the annual Holiday Lights extravaganza: just over 100 days.

There will be new light displays—totaling more than 500,000 LED lights,

but who’s counting? Local entertainers are volunteering their talents. Crafters

and food vendors are lining up for nightly participation, and the second annual

Gift and Plant Sale (Sunday, Dec. 11) promises a fabulous variety of exotic species

and unusual items. Dog lovers can show off their pooches—and win prizes—at

the popular Pet Parade on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. Mother Nature is

even promising glorious weather. (Well, that may be a stretch.) q

Continued on next page

FY2012

ELECT

PLANT THE SEEDS OF YOUR LEGACY

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Another major FBGF event in the works is Diggin’ the Arts. Although it’s not scheduled until next

spring — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 6 to be precise—this showcase of some of the area’s

premier art museums and centers is already guaranteed to be a blockbuster. Our partners to date

are the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, the Chihuly Museum, the Morean Art Center, the

Florida Craftsmen and the Dunedin Fine Arts Center. Many volunteers will be needed for planning

and execution, so contact Barbara Goss at roboflo@aol.com if putting arts and gardens together

intrigues you. q

Plans that were underway to extend the FBG’s Children’s Trail to the site of the Pinellas County

Green Home were put on hold when that project bit the economic downturn dust. A proposed new

community demonstration garden may provide an opportunity to use those plans for a fifth Children’s

Trail station. In the meantime, youngsters will have fun looking for the 12 Flora the Explorer markers

placed throughout the gardens. You can find the Children’s Trail brochure outside the Botanical Bounty

Gift Shop in the Extension lobby or at various locations along the garden paths. q

New maps of the Gardens and Heritage Village created by the County Communications

Office are available in the Extension lobby and the Botanical Bounty Gift Shop.

The locator maps scattered throughout the Gardens also are being updated. q

The gift shop will soon be getting a new state-of-the-art point of sale and inventory system to

replace its almost antique cash register, which will find a new home at Heritage Village. An on-line

catalog of some of the gift shop’s most tempting items will be ready for business sometime soon.

Also, a kiosk will be added in the lobby next to the Bounty gift shop so you can for the taking

conveniently browse the Foundations brochures and information bulletins, i.e. Planned Giving,

Children’s Trail, newsletter, etc. and don’t forget to sign our visitor guest book.

We would like to acknowledge your visit. q

Thanks to MG Marie Singer's suggestion for a “chairs for charity” style fundraiser for the

Foundation, there is a hand-painted antique rocking chair for sale in the gift shop. Manager

Stacey Zidi donated her grandmother's chair and St. Pete artist and FBGF volunteer

Mary Klein painted it a bright green and covered it with colorful flowers. Perfect for rocking

grandchildren! FBFF Board members admiring the rocking chair are, left to right: Terry Berube,

Sue Hamill, and Dianne Wheatley-Giliotti q

MGs Dianne Schiller, left, and Pat Dieterich put their

artistic talents to good use transforming a plain Jane

picnic table in the Palm Pavilion into a work of art. q

NEW MAPSAVAILABLE NOW!

More Matters

This has been a banner year for plant acquisitions and improved garden

maintenance. Your membership dollars have gone a long way to support

a record number of annuals, perennials, trees, palms and cactus. All new

acquisitions were paid for by the Foundation. Installation of the plants is a

shared effort between County staff and volunteers.

In late January, volunteers, Rich and Kathleen Harder made modifications

to the Tiki Hut on the Tropical Walk, allowing me the opportunity to place

orchids along the perimeter of the open roof. The orchids that best fit in

this environment are oncidiums and dendrobiums, and with

donations from the Florida West Coast Orchid Society

members we now have a very nice selection of plants.

With the heat and rain of the summer, they are beginning

to show their blooms. What a fantastic sight to see!

Early spring brought about the new Daylily Garden designed

by volunteer Ericka Mayer. As some of you may remember,

there was a Daylily Garden located at the art museum at

the south entrance to the Gardens. With the loss of the

museum and decreased funding for maintenance staff, the

old garden went into disrepair. Under the oversight of

County horticulturalist Bob Funari, Ericka created a design

that includes lilies developed for Florida conditions. More

than 20 varieties were purchased from Johnson Daylily

Gardens in Brooksville. In addition, we added amaryllis and

rain lilies from the old daylily garden, blood lilies, giant iris

and blackberry iris. Blue agapanthus and a bottle palm

were placed in the center of the garden to finish it off.

Zoysia grass was planted along the Peach Path that follows

north/south along McKay Creek. Separating the grass from

the creek is a mix of Florida native plants. Thanks to Bob,

the area is now a tranquil place to sit and enjoy the creek

and its many birds and wildlife.

So many new plants were purchased in the spring that it

is hard to know where to begin. Bob and I attended a

University of South Florida plant sale where we were able

to purchase several unusual plants, including a light bulb

clerodendrum, blue butterfly clerodendrum, Jerusalem cherry,

purple Tahitian hat plant, hanging rose, two angel’s trumpet,

hummingbird bush, Iochroma Cyanea “sapphire showers,”

wild hyssop and a mouse trap tree! We had a great time planting

everything the following week. I’m not going to tell you where

everything is. You’ll have to come to the Gardens and find them.

Continued on next page

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New In The GardensArticle and photograph by Terry Berube, MG

Top: a glowing SunPatiens. Top Left: Ericka Mayer and the author in the Daylily Garden.

Top Right: replacement coconut palms.Bottom Left: varigated ginger and fringed hibiscus.

Bottom Right:: a chenille plant.

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We also picked up some nice plants at the Green Thumb Festival in

St. Petersburg, including a lovely white agapanthus, some chenille plants and

three trees: an orchid tree, eucalyptus and a tabebuia.

Speaking of trees, we have added several new varieties. Many will provide

needed shade throughout the garden and will also replace some of those

affected by the 2009 winter cold. Purchased were a pink tabebuia, royal palm,

triple adonidia palm, double adonidia palm, spindle palm, black olive tree,

Hong Kong orchid, majesty palm and a bottle palm. The County also gave us

several live oaks which were planted along the creek and along the east

entrance parking lot.

Our most recent excitement was the move and renovation of the Cactus and

Succulent Garden. Originally housed by the Museum, the entire collection was

moved by Bob Funari and Jason Vickers to a much more appropriate spot

across from the Azalea Garden. The Foundation purchased two types of yuccas,

but most plants came from the old garden or were donated by Master Gardens

and Friends of the Gardens.

As always, there is the lovely addition of colorful annuals such as coleus,

pentas, purslane, sun inpatiens, dragon wing begonias and vinca throughout the

gardens. Caladiums were also used giving a nice border to the larger plants.

I could go on and on but the best idea is for you to take a morning walk around

the gardens to see it all for yourself. I’m there most every weekday morning.

Come see me and I’ll give you a private tour.

That’s how I think of the Florida Botanical Gardens. They are mine.

I’ve been a member of the FBG Foundation for six years, along with

my wife Terry. As members, we pay our dues each year. I am also a

garden maintenance volunteer and work in the gardens on a weekly

basis. Recently I was planting some loropetalum “purple pixie” that

had been purchased by the Foundation and it occurred to me that my

membership dues had helped pay for these plants. Then I learned that

the Foundation will spend nearly $20,000 this year on plants for the

botanical gardens. Wow!!!!

Now, I don’t pay $20,000 a year in dues, but my dues did help buy those plants, and that made me feel pretty good. That’s why I

think of the gardens as mine. I helped buy the plants, so it is my garden. I think, as a member of the Foundation, that you should

also think of the gardens as yours. Your dues help buy the plants that make your garden beautiful.

Starting this month I will be sending you e-mail updates to let you know how your dues have been spent to improve the Florida

Botanical Gardens. I hope these timely updates on such things as what kind of trees or flowers your dues are helping to pay for

and when they are being planted will give you the sense of ownership that I feel.

Then when you visit your garden you will know what is new and will be able to tell your friends and family “This is my garden.

I paid for that.”

And if anyone wants to help dig in the dirt, I am at the gardens most mornings. Thank you for your support. See you at your garden.

My Gardens By Richard Berube, MG

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Sorry about that, folks. Just can’t keep the herb puns at bay. (Bay leaf, get it?) I wonder

if the FBG’s Tuesday morning Herb Garden crew ever gives in to the urge. If they do, it

certainly doesn’t slow down their garden tending. From 8 a.m. until noon most, if not all,

of the 12-person team is hard at work on “the five p’s,” according to team leader Ruth

Davies. “We propagate, prune, plant, pull weeds and pick off bugs.” This summer their

efforts are really paying off. The garden looks – and smells – wonderful.

Among the 100 or so different species from around the world that grow in the special

garden tucked away behind the Extension building are culinary, medicinal, aromatic

and ornamental herbs. Foliage colors range from shades of soft gray to dark purple,

chartreuse and bronze; some sport brightly colored flowers. The assortment of texture and plant forms is as diverse as the plants

themselves. Papyrus grows in the Egyptian pool – complete with miniature sphinxes as guards. Nearby is Egyptian mint. There are

coffee plants and a tea tree, Mexican tarragon, peppermint and orange jasmine. There’s even a lipstick tree.

“My favorites are the oreganos and garlics,” says Wayne Sulecki. “I love allthe different smells.” With 20 years of volunteer herb

gardening under his belt, he is the crew’s senior member, along with his gardening buddy Tom Carrell, who was in his Master

Gardener class. Needless to say, he knows a lot about herbs. “Volunteering is a good practical way to learn.”

Jill MacFarlane, who has degrees in biology and chemistry, teaches anatomy and physiology to portrait artists and has always

been a gardener, agrees. “Anyone who wants to learn anything about gardening should volunteer. It’s informative, a true learning

experience. I also love the manual labor and listening to garden talk.”

The other Tuesday morning, she and Barbara Orr chatted as they worked in the greenhouse, trimming potted plants, repotting

others. Barbara signed up for Master Gardener classes soon after moving to the area six years ago. Back in Michigan she was an

enthusiastic vegetable gardener. “I needed to learn to garden in Florida. It’s very different.”

Join the Herb Garden Crew and Have the Thyme of Your LifeArticle and photographs by Kathleen Jamison, assistant editor

What Are the Benefits of Being on a Garden Crew?

Volunteering is a great way to develop new skills, gain experience and contribute to your community. You can also:

• Meet and socialize with people whoshare a love of plants and gardening.

• Obtain free on-the-job training/ horticultural education by Master Gardeners and plant specialists.

• Develop a green thumb while learning how to garden in Florida.

• Play in the dirt if you don’t have access to a yard.

From Left: Ruth Davies, Vicki Jackson, Cheryl Korschek, Jill MacFarlane and Barbara Orr

Continued on next page

For a while she put in two eight-hour days a week in the Heritage Village vegetable

garden. Now she volunteers in the Herb Garden on Tuesday mornings, in the FBG’s

4-H garden on Tuesday afternoons and on Fridays she waters the pots. “Then

whatever else needs to be done. If you like to be outside in a garden, this a good

place to be.”

Cheryl Korschek, a New Jersey transplant, also quickly discovered that “plants grow

a whole lot different here than they do up north. I’ve learned things are herbs that I

didn’t even know were herbs. It’s not just parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.”

Along with weekly travels from Palm Harbor to help tend the FBG’s herbs, she

coordinate’s the Master Gardener Plant Clinic each Wednesday at the Palm

Harbor library.

“Making friends is the happiest coincidence of becoming an MG and volunteering at

the gardens,” she says. “I’ve found that all gardeners are nice.”

Behind the greenhouse, volunteers Vicki Jackson and Ruth Davies were tucking

fragile sprouts into small black plastic pots. With its limited budget, the Herb Garden

depends largely on “grow it yourself.” Luckily there are so many green thumbs to

get the job done.

Vicki had just completed an MG class in Illinois before moving to Clearwater Beach a

few years ago. “When I came to the FBG, Pam Brown, who was in charge then, said

‘Oh no, you have to start all over again. It’s totally different.’” So she did, graduating

with the Class of 2006. We were encouraged to sample all the various gardens. I

like herbs so this is where I ended up. Plus working at the Help Desk.” At her home,

she’s into native plants and edible plants.

Ruth, who until recently wrote a “Garden Clippings” column in the Tampa Bay

Weeklies, is also into the culinary herbs. “I learned about herbs from my family back

in New Jersey,” she says. “I like food and I learned to cook with herbs so I figured I

might as well grow them.”

Vicki is a big fan of Ruth’s herb salad.If you are an herb grower, or know where to

buy a good selection of fresh herbs, you might want to give it a try. “Start with leaf lettuce – preferably home grown, ”Ruth

instructs, but Vicki thinks that might scare off potential samplers. “Just nice fresh lettuce,” she says. Next toss in just about

anything but the kitchen sink:medium coarsely snipped basil, parsley, sage, rosemary, a little Mexican tarragon, garlic chives,

marjoram, oregano, maybe some mint. “Whatever you have,” Ruth notes.Toss with the lettuce, then just before serving add oil and

vinegar. “Preferably balsamic of tarragon vinegar.” “Anyone who has ever eaten Ruth’s herb salad, raves about it,” Vicki declares.

Then, like all the other crew members, they were ready to focus on the task at hand. Other regulars are Ann Brown, Marian Cirella,

Patti McCloskey and Jodi Miller.

Volunteers are indispensable partners to the Gardens’ staff. According to Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation President Chuck

Scaffidi, “They are an integral part of what gets done in the Gardens. They are incredibly valued and appreciated.”

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Sign Me Up!

In addition to the Tuesday morningHerb Garden crew, equally knowledge-able, hardworking and fun folks arewaiting to welcome new volunteers.Hours each day are 8 a.m. until noon.

• On Mondays there are two crews. One does propagation and works inthe shade house with crew chief and MG Emma Eshbaugh; the otherwaters the planters.

• Tuesdays the Banana Boys and Girlsare in the Tropical Fruit Garden

• On Wednesdays MG Terry Berube’screw does gardening maintenance inthe formal gardens.

• The Native Plant crew is at work from9 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays.

• The Thursday crew works in thedemonstration gardens under the direction of Bob Albanese, horticulturalist.

• Friday’s crew maintains the plants inthe shade house and manages theplants in the lobby.

For more information on joining a crew, contact volunteer coordinatorChuck Scaffidi at 727-582-2117 orcscaffidi@co.pinellas.fl.us.

From Left:Patti McCloskey, Tom Carrell and Marian Cirello

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Kathleen and Richard Harder wear many hats around the

Florida Botanical Gardens. Literally and figuratively.

On any give day, this volunteering couple can be found

propagating coral creeper, transplanting quail berries,

pulling weeds, deadheading flowers, pruning shrubs,

repairing Holiday Lights decorations, cutting and gluing

some of the myriad pieces of colored glass that make up

the Wedding Garden’s spectacular “Aquatic Reflections”

mosaic, or serving as garden ambassadors to visitors who

stop with questions.

In just 10 months, the transplanted Iowa corn and soy

bean farmers – Kathleen is also a retired parasitologist –

have put in many hundreds of hours. “We love the gardens – especially the Formal Gardens,” Richard says. “It’s relaxing to walk

around at your own pace and feel close to nature. They’re a haven of tranquility in the middle of a lot of hustle and bustle.”

“And helping to maintain them is an honor,” adds Kathleen. “A lot of volunteers are working very hard to keep them up.”

Everyone – staff, Master Gardeners, volunteers and visitors alike – are thrilled at the comeback the FBG has made after the

disastrous winter of 2010. This spring and early summer there have been plenty of very welcome “Wows.” “Being part of that

feels good,” Kathleen says.

Richard is partial to the lotuses that he helped plant in “the river” that runs through the Formal Gardens. The flowers, white with

yellow centers, “were so perfectly formed that people thought they were fakes,” he chuckles.

Kathleen has a fondness for the crinum lilies. “They’re fragrant and showy, with huge burgundy and white blooms, and I don’t even

mind crawling around to clean out underneath them.”

Both enjoy the Gardens’ fauna as well as its fabulous flora, from crayfish to little green Florida frogs, skinks and anoles to raccoons,

otters and alligators.

“We wanted to ‘give back,’ but we actually get back more than we give.”

Look for the Harders on Wednesday mornings, or better yet, roll up your sleeves and join them. With 150 acres to tend, there’s

always a need for more help. To learn more, call Chuck Scaffidi, volunteer coordinator, at 727-582-2117 or e-mail him at

cscaffidi@co.pinellas.fl.us.

Meet The Harders Article and photographs by Kathleen Jamison, assistant editor

So you think you know your Florida Botanical Garden? See if you can find this garden

“secret” on your next visit. But don’t wait too long. The beautiful blooms pictured here

won’t be around forever. Here’s a clue.

Tucked into a corner of one of the courtyards, this is a deciduous tropical shrub or

small tree that produces bright yellow flowers with dark throats. The lobed leaves

are hairy, soft, and sticky, yielding a musky odor when touched. Stout stems become

thickened with age. The fruit has small pointed barbs. Don't touch the fruit unless you

want to spend some time trying to remove from your fingers.

One of the things most visitors love about the FBG is how up close you can get to so many

phenomenal flowers. Bring your camera and prepare to be blown away! (Answer on page 11)

Extraordinary Plants

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Support The GardensWe can’t do it without you!

Friends like you keep the Gardens growing and making a difference in conservation, education and public service. We appreciate

your membership and loyal support. Consider the following ways you can support the Florida Botanical Gardens and the Foundation.

Details can be found on the FBGF website at www.flbgfoundation.org; arrangements can be made at the Botanical Bounty Gift Shop.

Planned Giving • Engraved Pavers • Memorials and Honorariums • Personalized Leaf on the Omega TreeInvest in the Tree Bank • Adopt a Tree, Garden Chair or Bench

Calling All Master GardenersDo you know a lot about gardening andhorticulture in this part of Florida?

Volunteer at the Help Desk and home

gardeners across Pinellas County will

test your knowledge with questions

about plants, pests, growing conditions,

and the ever present “Why can’t I keep

this plant alive? ”This is a challenging

but satisfying way to share your

passion for plants.

This small but faithful group answers thousands of questions

a year from staff, walk-ups, calls and e-mails. Currently there

are only two full-time horticulturists and not enough

volunteers to keep the Help Desk open daily. If you have

the credentials and can donate a few hours a week, contact

urban horticulture extension agent Theresa Badurek at

727-582-2109 or by e-mail at tbadurek@pinellascounty.org.

Mark Your Calendar for Gift and Plant SaleYou won’t want to miss the Florida Botanical

Gardens Foundation’s second annual Gift and

Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday,

December 11 in the Formal Gardens. Held in conjunction with

Holiday Lights, it promises to be even bigger and better than

last year’s. And fingers are crossed that the weather will be

a little more cooperative. Please help us spread the word.

More than 50 vendors will sell a wide variety of both gifts

and plants for those special people on your list or to add

to your personal collection. Carefully chosen plants will

include iris, roses, geraniums, bromeliads, butterfly plants,

cacti, succulents, Florida natives, ground covers, orchids,

ornamental grasses, shrubs, tropical plants, vines, dragonfly

plants, herbs and wildflowers.

There also will be plenty of garden-related items such as

bird feeders, flags, garden crafts, garden art, garden tools,

pots, planters, stepping stones and wind chimes. Gift items

will include alpaca clothing and accessories, candles,

nature-themed ceramics, Christmas ornaments, clothing,

confections, gourmet food, hand woven baskets, handmade

soap, herbs, original paintings, spices, jewelry, pet treats,

purses, vinegars/oils, and much more.

Shoppers can enter the Gardens at either of the following

entrances: 12520 Ulmerton Road or 12221 Walsingham Road.

There is no charge to attend the Gift and Plant Sale.

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Membership Is A Gift That Keeps On Giving

You already know that the Florida Botanical Gardens offer a respite from the

daily “rat race.” (Especially if you leave your cell phone at home; but even with

it you’ll always find a calm corner to enjoy the natural beauty while you chat

or text.) Why not share this happy, healthy experience with your friends and

family? The gift of a membership to the Gardens includes year-round access to

our 182 acres of lush Florida-friendly and tropical plantings as well as natural

landscapes – what better as an outdoor classroom for home gardeners?

We can’t offer free admission for a year like some botanical gardens. That’s

because we’re lucky to still be able to welcome all residents and visitors free

of charge. And that, dear friends, is largely because of our committed members,

volunteers and the visitors who are moved to make donations. For all the levels

of membership, check out either our brochure in the gift shop or our web site.

Other enticing benefits are the discount local nurseries extend to Florida

Botanical Gardens Foundation members and special admission privileges and

discounts on purchases at horticultural organizations throughout North America.

(The garden “secret” is a mousetrap plant.)

Thanks to these members for their generous annual membership gifts.$500 Garden Steward Donors

Terri and Lane ZieglerRichard and Kathleen Harder

$250 Supporting Gardener DonorsTim and Gail Anderson

Jean Barnes

Sue Barnes

Alicia Chivers

Phyllis A. Cloman

Vivian and Barry Haicken

Sue and Rob Hamill

Jeanne and Stephan Naeger

Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel and J. Ronald Seel

New MembersIndividual – $30

Sandra Buttry, Dunedin

Judy Honiker, Clearwater

Helena Kenny, Tarpon Springs

Michelle Knapp, Largo

Ronna Rogers, Indian Shores

Joyce Stephens, Tampa

Caterina Stillwagon, Seminole

Majorie Sturges, St. Petersburg

Lynn Sweet, Clearwater

Garden Family - $50Judith Anderson, New Smyrna

Rosalie DiMento, St. Petersburg

Mary McCulloch, North Redington Beach

Maureen Ostronski, Parrish

Judy Rouslin, Crystal Beach

Patti Wall, Clearwater

Avant Gardener - $100Caroline L Kaufmann, PHD, Clearwater Beach

DISCOUNTS for FBGF Members

Art Stone Orchids

3611 Tyrone Blvd, St. Petersburg

727-345-6733

Country Club Nursery

9850 Starkey Road, Largo

727-397-4438

DragonFly Garden

730 Broadway, Dunedin

727-734-4900

Earthscapes Garden Room

816 Alt. 19 N, Palm Harbor

727-786-4859

Esperanza’s Garden Center

6001 Haines Road, St. Petersburg

727-742-8499

Jene’s Tropicals

6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

727-344-1668

Kathy’s Korner (trees)

Nursery Inc. & Tree Farm

6095 Haines Road N., St. Petersburg

727-525-9640

Palm Harbor Nursery & Landscaping

(cash and carry items)

450 Riviere Rd, Palm Harbor

727-784-2992

Seminole Nurseries

102nd Ave. N, Pinellas Park

727-545-9619

Summerwood Gardens, Inc.

1171 Tarpon Springs Rd, Odessa

813-920-2153

Twigs and Leaves

1013 MLK St S, St. Petersburg

727-822-5400

Wilcox Nursery

12501 Indian Rocks Road, Largo

727-595-2073

Willow Tree Nursery

4401 49th St. N., St. Petersburg

727-522-2594

The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation12520 Ulmerton Rd.Largo, FL 33774

www.flbgfoundation.org

Holiday LightsNovember 25 - January 1

Celebrate the season at the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation's annual Holiday Lights. More than 500,000 lights will illuminate the thousands ofplants and trees that already make the gardens shine year-round. Home-grownentertainers will perform nightly. Refreshments will be available. Santa Clauswill be on hand whenever he can get away from the North Pole. A $2 per persondonation is requested (no fee for children 12 and younger) to help pay for thisfamily-friendly extravaganza.

Gift and Plant SaleSunday, December 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Enjoy the gardens while holiday shopping for those nature -loving people onyour list. Or why not treat yourself? From orchids and ornamental grasses toherbs and wildflowers, plus alpaca clothing, artwork, bird feeders, spices andrubs, confections and much more. Free! The always popular Dog Parade—withprizes—will be at 3:00 p.m. December 31. Register before hand; $5 Fee.

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