Sunken Gardens, Botanical garden in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Sunken Gardens is a 4-acre botanical garden at 1825 4th Street North in St. Petersburg's Historic Old Northeast neighborhood. It holds over 500 species among more than 50,000 tropical plants, with pools, cascading waterfalls, and a Japanese garden, cactus garden, and butterfly garden. The site also includes the former Sanitary Public Market building, a Mediterranean Revival arcade with twin Moorish towers.
George Turner Sr. created the gardens in 1903 by draining a shallow lake and reshaping the land into pathways and planted areas. The site became a recognized destination by 1935 as it attracted growing numbers of visitors from the region.
The name comes from the drained lake bed, 10 feet below sea level, where George Turner Sr. planted papayas and citrus around his home. Visitors paid a nickel to stroll the grounds in the 1920s, and since 1935 the Wedding Lawn and the Garden Room have hosted weddings. Horticulture classes such as "Propagation Techniques" and "Growing Microgreens" run for adults and children.
The gardens are open every day of the week, with Sundays limited to a half day. Entry is at 1825 4th Street North in the Historic Old Northeast neighborhood, and an admission fee applies, with a yearly membership available. Group visits can be self-guided or led by a docent.
Chilean flamingos have called this place home since 1956, with some added through community donations and fundraising efforts. These birds have become a beloved feature that draws many visitors and demonstrates how the community helps support the gardens.
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