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The Sunken Gardens are a four acre botanical garden located in St. Petersburg, Florida. They’re one of the oldest roadside tourist attractions in the country, and a great place to take a leisurely stroll.
Visiting
The gardens are located in the Old Northeast neighborhood to the north of downtown. They’re open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4:30pm and from noon to 4:30pm on Sundays. They charge an adult admission of US$15 (as of February 2024). Free parking is available in front of the entrance.
History of the Sunken Gardens
The Sunken Gardens were planted in 1903 by George Turner Sr., a plumber and gardener who purchased the site. There was a shallow lake sitting below sea level that Turner drained, giving the garden its name. In the beginning, Turner planted exotic plants and fruit trees, including papaya and citrus trees.
By the 1920s he was selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other plants, as well as charging visitors a nickel to walk through the gardens. In 1935, he put up a large fence around the gardens and began charging a quarter for admission. Turner died in 1961 and his sons took over, eventually selling the Sunken Gardens to the city for US$2.26 million.
Plants
The gardens contain over 50,000 plants and flowers made up of more than 500 species of tropical and subtropical plants from around the world. Waterfalls and ponds are located on the property, as well as a Japanese garden and cactus garden among others.
Flamingos
A collection of 20 Chilean flamingos were added to the Sunken Gardens in 2016. They joined the two original flamingos from the flock of 17 brought to the gardens in 1956. Other birds, including talking parrots, live in cages along the paths.
Events
The Sunken Gardens are a popular place for weddings, and a few different programs are offered for children and adults, including photography and horticulture.
