Kanapaha Botanical Gardens: A Favorite Natural Attraction in Gainesville
A natural wonder right in the heart of Gainesville, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens comprises more than 60 acres of pristine gardens and features, including rare and beautiful flowers of every size and shape imaginable. Among other attractions, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens boasts the largest public bamboo gardens in Florida, and the largest herb garden in the entire Southeast United States.
The North Florida Botanical Society established the gardens in 1978 when it leased 33 acres of land from Alachua County for a public natural attraction. Another 29 acres were added in 1982 and Kanapaha was opened to the public in 1987. It is a nonprofit operation. "Kanapaha" is derived from the Timucuan Indian words for "palmetto leaf" and "house."
The gardens are organized into 24 major collections, which can be viewed from a 1½-mile paved walkway that traverses the attraction. It is wheelchair accessible with benches, gazebos and other rest stations spaced generously throughout the park. Dogs on leashes are permitted.
Some of the gardens are organized taxonomically, while others demonstrate principles of ecology or natural selection.
Perhaps the most popular section is the bamboo garden featuring a premier stand of Wong Chuk, or Chinese royal bamboo. During peak season, the bamboo can grow as fast as 2 inches per hour!
The butterfly garden is a selection of plants that attract the winged wonders, making for a prime photography spot. On the opposite end of the facility, the hummingbird garden features tubular flowers of red, orange or pink that are irresistible to these delicate creatures.
The water garden is a meandering waterway incorporating four waterfalls, and boasts one of the park's most amazing plant species: giant Water Platters, an Amazonian species that is the world's largest water lily.
The herb garden is divided into four sections: medicinal garden, aromatic garden, knot garden and native herb garden.
Recently, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens was named the best attraction in Gainesville by Uptake.com, based on analysis of expert ratings and customer reviews.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens hosts special events throughout the year, during which normal admission prices do not apply.
Posted on Apr 11, 2011 by Christopher Lloyd
