The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (62 acres, 25 hectares) is a botanical garden in Gainesville, Florida, operated by the North Florida Botanical Society. The name for the garden comes from the nearby 250-acre Lake Kanapaha. "Kanapaha" originating from two Timucua words for "palmetto leaves" and "house". A request was made to the Alachua County Commission for a 33-acre are of land for use in developing the botanical garden, which was unanimously approved. A 90-year renewable lease was negotiated, in which the Society would pay $1 a year. Work on the gardens would officially begin on March 7, 1978. The community assisted in the construction of the gardens through the help of several private donors who provided materials and equipment for the project. The entrance building containing the gift shop was also part of a donation, which was renovated due to a grant provided by a private Scottish horticultural trust. Public work grants allowed the hiring of the workforce, many being affiliated with what was the Comprehensive Employment Training Agency (C.E.T.A.) until it closed. After 1983, the gardens had to rely on community service workers. Additionally, an annual Open House & Fall Plant Sale has been held in October since 1995, in conjunction with the Gainesville Orchid Society since 2008.

Collections

thumb|[[Tagetes erecta.]]

thumb|[[Victoria amazonica.]]

The gardens include the following major collections:

  • Arboretum
  • Azalea/Camellia garden
  • Bamboo garden
  • Butterfly garden
  • Crinum garden
  • Cycad garden
  • Fern cobble
  • Herb garden
  • Hummingbird garden
  • Palm hammock
  • Rock garden
  • Rose garden
  • Spring flower garden
  • Vinery
  • Woodland garden

Bamboo Collection

thumb|Kanapaha Bamboo Garden

Each spring, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens hosts a bamboo sale for the public. The bamboo garden consists of exotic bamboo species. Examples of bamboo species found are the following:

  • Giant Timber Bamboo (Bambusa Oldhamii)
  • Variegated Buddha's Belly Bamboo (Bambusa ventricosa kimmei)
  • Muddy Bamboo (Bambusa dissimulator)
  • Seabreeze Bamboo (Bambusa malingensis)
  • White Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra var henonis)
  • Stripestem Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse Karr)
  • Blue Bamboo (Bambusa chungli)
  • Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)
  • Lemon Lime Bamboo (Bambusa eutuldoides)

<gallery mode=packed>

Gainesville FL Kanapaha Botanical Gardens sign02.jpg|Entrance on Archer Road.

Kanapaha-2008-04-09-IMG 0254.JPG|Swallowtail butterfly resting on a rose in the rose garden.

Kanapaha-2008 04 09-IMG 0128.JPG|Red-shouldered hawk.

Kanapaha-2008 04 09-IMG 0195 1.JPG|Nymphaea alba.

Conifer tree in Kanapaha conifer garden.jpg|Conifer tree in the conifer garden.

</gallery>

See also

  • List of botanical gardens in the United States

Further reading

  • Donald Goodman; Founder, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Gainesville; age 70 Icon February 2014 page 16 Florida Trend

References

  • Overview and photos of the Garden Collections
  • Photos of the Gardens from 2004