Prior to my recent visit I had never heard of the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, and most local people I asked hadn’t either. So I must admit I wasn’t expecting a lot when I headed out on my journey to visit the Gardens. With my 5 year old in tow we drove the short distance from my house with the mindset that we’d be there no more than 20 or 30 minutes at the most. I am happy to report that was not the case, in fact we spent over an hour and easily could have spent longer there.
Located near Springhill Drive and Commercial Way in a residential area you think to yourself that the garden must be small, and from the looks of it as you pull up it appears that the garden area adjacent to the nursery is small. As you pass through the gate with the wooden archway and sign stating “Botanical Gardens,” you get a glimpse of exactly how big the gardens are. In fact the garden, founded in 1994 by the Spring Hill Garden Club sits on 3.5 acres, and is made up of 22 gardens in all. The welcome Center which is to your left offers a Garden map and also provides information on a variety of available uses of the garden and the cost. Those special events such as weddings, photo shoots, as well as the price to purchase bricks, which are located throughout the garden and are in memory of a loved one. The welcome center also provides tips for planting based on the season, the daily hours of the nursery, and a donation box.
Each Garden is filled with a variety of different plants, trees, and flowers. There were a few of the gardens that I thought stood out, but every garden individually was magnificent. The Fantasy Garden was whimsical, with is fountain and variety of paths from stone, to decorative tiles, to round tree trunk pieces laid out as stepping stones.
Stepping onto the brick path entering the Memory Garden you immediately see a statue outlined by the bricks, this statue is of Mother Earth and is truly serene looking. This Garden is, “Dedicated to those who love gardens,” as stated on the plaque at the entrance. Also in this garden you find a plaque and an American flag in memory of all of those brave men and women who defended our freedom. It brings you a sense of peace and reflection as the read the many dedication stones placed here.
Moving just to the left is probably the biggest, the Rose Garden. A beautiful gazebo sits in the middle and is surrounded by many different species of roses. I can see this spot as an ideal location for a wedding, reception, or any other event, and the picnic area is located here making it the perfect stop to snack, relax, and take in the smells of everything around you.
Probably the most interesting and by far the favorite of my 5 year old was the Desert Scape. It was unique as it seemed to stand out with its assortment of cactus’ and the odd shapes and sizes of those. It took you for a moment away from the usual trees, shrubs, and flowers in the rest of the garden and made you feel as if you were transplanted somewhere else.
Some of the other varieties of gardens were the Railroad Garden, which has a miniature waterfall and village with a train track that is ran on Saturday mornings upon request. The Oriental Garden has Asian inspired archways, boardwalk paths, and Bamboo trees. Tadpoles could be found in the pond of the Florida Native Plant Garden, and a giant Butterfly statue greets you as you enter the Butterfly Garden. Lastly an area, worthy of mention is near the entrance and exit. Here a tree is planted in memory of 09-11-01 and the plaque simply reads, “Tree of Life.” It is a simple and beautiful tribute.
At every plant, tree, and flower in any garden a small sign is there telling you what it is, and many of those signs also tell you if the plant is sun or shade ,damp or dry making it easy to note any varieties you may want to consider for your home and the best location for them. With the many different gardens navigating is made simple. Even without the use of the map available the paths are clearly marked and the tranquil walk is worth a visit.
The Botanical Garden is run on donations so admission is always free but donations are appreciated. All of the gardens are created by donations from local businesses, individuals, families, and even a Boy Scout troop. Volunteers are encouraged and meet several days a week. The Botanical Garden even offers guided tours for parties of 5 or more. Since the colors and blooms change with the seasons a one time visit is never enough.
