Spanning more than 16 acres, the University of South Florida’s Botanical Gardens is a gem of the city that prominently features native Floridian plants, alongside special and extensive collections of orchids, fruit trees and other exotic plants from across the globe.
To help serve its mission of promoting environmental conservation and education, the garden hosts seasonal plant sales, and this one features more than four dozen vendors (from commercial growers to small clubs), plus experts, food trucks and more.
Admission gets attendees (thousands will visit this weekend) access to all of it, plus the half-mile trail, kid’s activities, and access to demonstrations of the nearly two dozen Apis mellifera (European-derived honeybee) hives in the apiary.
Park at lot 39A, 39B, or on floors three-eight in the Beard Parking Garage, which will be a stop for the BullRunner shutting attendees to and from the festival grounds.
The University of South Florida Spring Plant Festival happens Saturday-Sunday, April 13-14 on the Tampa campus of USF, and tickets start at $10 for non-members and non-students.
