Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

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Hours of Operation:

Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. - 9 til 5
Sat., Sun. - 9 til dusk
Thursday: Closed
Admission Price:

Adults: $5
Children 6-13: $3
Children under 6: Free (when accompanied by parent)
Group tours and group rates available. Please inquire.
Members:

Family Membership - Family admitted free
Individual Memebership - Individual admitted free
Educational groups: (minimum 10)

Adult: $3.75
Children 1-13: $2.25
Address:
4700 S.W. 58th Drive Gainesville, FL 32608
Entrance on S.W. Archer Road (State Road 24) 1 mile west of Interstate 75 (exit #384)
Phone Number: (352) 372-4981 Email: kanapgard@aol.com Fax Number: (352) 372-5892

Membership Information:

Student - $25
Individual - $30
Family - $35
Contributing/Organizational - $100 and above
Benefits of Membership - unlimited entry into gardens, quarterly newsletter, "The Garden Gate", 10% discount on price of plants purchased from our nursery, member discount on special events.

About Kanapaha:
 
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a 62 acre facility developed and operated by the North Florida Botanical Society, a non-profit educational organization. In 1978, the Society signed a lease agreement with Alachua County whereby it gained access to a 33 acre tract of land for the development of a public botanical garden; in 1982, an additional 29 acre parcel was added to the lease, bringing Kanapaha Botanical Society to its present size. The Gardens' name is derived from its proximity to 250 acre Lake Kanapaha. The word Kanapaha is derived from the Timucua Indian words for "palmetto leaf" and "house." Taken together, they refer to the thatched dwellings that were home to the original residents of a small Timucua village on the western shore of Lake Kanapaha. Between 1978 and 1987, the infrastructure and initial plantings were completed and Kanapaha Botanical Gardens was formally opened to the public on October 16, 1987.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is comprised of 14 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ½ mile paved walkway. These include the state's largest public display of bamboos and the largest herb garden in the Southeast. Some of Kanapaha's gardens are organized taxonomically; others demonstrate principles of ecology or natural selection. Kanapaha's signature plants include a premier stand of Chinese royal bamboo (Wong Chuk), and--during the warm months--giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums. The months offering the most color are June through September.

Kanapaha's walkways are largely wheelchair accessible and benches, gazebos and other rest stations are liberally spaced throughout the facility. Dogs are permitted on leash. Picnicking is allowed in designated areas and soft drinks may be purchased on site. Both indoor and outdoor facilities are available for weddings, receptions, retreats, conferences, and other social functions. Kanapaha's plant nursery affords visitors the opportunity to purchase specimens of many plants displayed in the gardens. An exceptional gift shop offers a varied and unusual array of items including original art and treasures from the natural world.

Every spring, Kanapaha hosts its Annual Spring Garden Festival, the region's premier horticultural event. The weekend affair features more than 200 booths offering plants, landscape displays, educational materials, arts and crafts, and food. Educational seminars and entertainment are offered throughout and both live and silent auctions offer many bargains on arts, crafts, plants, and gardening supplies. About 10,000 individuals usually attend the event; parking is free and two off-site parking areas are serviced by shuttle buses. Pets are not allowed at these festivals. And every winter, Kanapaha holds an Annual Winter Bamboo Sale. In early January, Kanapaha issues a descriptive sales/availability listing of bamboos that are being offered during January and February on a dug-to-order basis. Usually, between 15 and 20 types are offered; most are clumping forms but a few running bamboos-including the elegant black bamboo-are generally available. The list is mailed upon request. Individuals can order by phone and pay when picking up their plants. Plants are generally available for pick up within two weeks of ordering.
 

4700 S.W. 58th Drive Gainesville, FL 32608, (352) 372-4981