Sunken Gardens is proud to host the third annual PLANTAPOLOOZA, a local botanical event dedicated exclusively to Florida native plants.
Originated by The Community Wildlife Corridor, this event seeks to connect the wildlife populations in our largest parks with backyard native gardens. Join us as we celebrate the importance and beauty of Florida’s native plants!
- Take home free Florida native plant seedlings (while supplies last). **Donated in part by Sweet Bay Nursery and the Community Wildlife Corridor
- Browse unique native plants, garden décor, & more for sale by Tampa Bay area vendors.
- Learn from local organizations who are working hard to protect the Florida’s plants & pollinators.
- Attend themed lectures by native plant experts.
- Enjoy youth workshops and activities, including a workshop led by the Tampa Butterfly Foundation: "Pollinator Power." Click here to register for the workshop.
- Enter for a chance to win a rain barrel from the City of St. Petersburg Water Resources Department (limited quantity).
- Beer, wine, and Italian fare by Carrabba's will be available to purchase.
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Themed lectures:
11:30 am - Salt-Tolerant Native Plants by Amanda Streets (Owner of Living Roots Eco Design & Native Nursery)
12:30 pm - The Importance of Home Landscapes in Conservation by Craig Huegel (Lead curator at USF Botanical Gardens, renowned author and professor focusing on Florida's native plants. )
1:30 pm - Bay Area Butterflies and the Native Plants They Rely On by Brady Gregory (Horticulture manager at Little Red Wagon Native Nursery)
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Featured vendors & organizations:
- Living Roots Eco Design & Plant Nursery
- Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
- Wilcox Nursery
- Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation
- Little Red Wagon Native Nursery
- Wise Hands Native Plant Landscaping
- Carnivorous Plants by Kenny Coogan
- All Along the Treeline natural soaps
- JP Charisma native plant grower
- Rock Creations by Christine
- Louise’s Healing Calendula Salve
- Florida Wildflower Foundation
- Native Plant Horticulture Foundation
- Take MAR
- A Piece of Tropical Paradise garden décor
- Sunken Gardens Forever Foundation
- UF-IFAS Extension
- Pinellas County Farm Bureau
- Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association
- City of St. Pete Water Resources
Beer, wine, and Italian fare by Carrabba’s will be available to purchase.
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Important details:
- PLANTAPOLOOZA III is free with Gardens admission or membership. (NOTE: We will not be processing new memberships during this special event. This helps us expedite admissions in a timely manner. We appreciate your understanding).
- Event will occur rain or shine, but if it's storming you'll see an update on this event page and our website.
- We encourage guests to bring boxes, carts, or wagons along with your own bags to carry out your plant haul.
- ***Parking is extremely limited due to our shared parking lot. We encourage guests to carpool, ride share, bike, or walk to this special event!***
