Kanapaha Botanical Gardens – Gainesville, Florida2 min read time

Gainesville, Florida is known for the University of Florida. But just over on the west side of I-75 is the beautiful Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. I had visited these gardens years ago so it was time to check it out again.

Here are some Wikipedia details:

The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (62 acres, 25 hectares) is a botanical garden in Gainesville, Florida, operated by the North Florida Botanical Society. The name comes from nearby Lake Kanapaha. The gardens were established in 1978 when the society leased 33 acres (13.4 hectares) for a public botanical garden. Another 29 acres (11.7 hectares) were added in 1982. The gardens opened to the public in 1986.

As of 2005, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens contain Florida’s largest public bamboo gardens and the largest herb garden in the Southeast.

There are many different areas with long paths winding throughout. I wandered down path after path.

There was a large bed of Horsetail Ferns along the fence bordering the stream.

The lily section was pretty much done for the season, but there were still a few left to see. I will need to run up there a bit earlier next year.

I saw a few anoles which are very prevalent in Florida. They are found on various types of plants and sometimes match the background.

Anole on a Prickly Perch

This one is trying to match the green!

Trying to blend in

The ferns were coming back from their winter dormancy. The leaves were unfurling as the Florida rains had finally started.

Unfurling Fern

I love the lines of some plants and Kanapaha Botanical Gardens has plenty of plants that could satisfy my lines passion!