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Gardening

My, how the gardens glow

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published December 15, 2006

LARGO - On a recent evening, Fred Large and his wife, Yvonne, strolled through the Florida Botanical Gardens - all spruced up for the holidays - and declared, "This is the best-kept secret in Pinellas County."

Agreed.

This high-voltage display of more than 425,000 lights within the 182-acre Pinewood Cultural Park is sure to please those dreaming of a bright Christmas. The presentation, dubbed "Seasonal Sensations - An Illuminated Garden," spans about 10 acres including the parking lot.

It is free, open nightly, and here through Jan. 3.

"It's the county's gift to the public," said Vernon Bryant, the park's horticulture manager in charge of the dazzling display.

It's not your typical winter wonderland filled with Santas, elves and fake snow. It's a tropical feast for the eyes that complements the gardens with light sculptures that include eagles and egrets, dragonflies and daisies, mushrooms and butterflies.

And what Florida landscape would be complete without a large lizard crawling up a tree? There are even some dangling "Florida oranges."

Every holiday season brings new "wildlife." This year, a couple of hundred glowing bumblebees have taken up temporary residence in the garden.

Also new this year is a train display on the bridge over McKay Creek, created under the guidance of the Florida Garden Railway Society. And holiday music, by popular request, is now piped through seven speakers.

Bryant estimates it cost $75,000 to $80,000 to create the light show.

An arch over the entrances to the wedding garden boasts holiday garlands with palm fronds, heliconia, orchids, ginger and anthurium. The garden features thousands of white lights wrapped around crape myrtles and Italian cypress trees, and a large red heart created from strings of lights.

A 16-foot Christmas tree decorated in power-saving LED lights towers over the McKay Creek Plaza.

Bring cameras and walking shoes. There are benches, outlined in lights, along the winding pathways.

Lights on display at "Seasonal Sensations"

425,000

Acres the display spans. Pinewood Cultural Park is 182 acres

10

Estimated cost of the display

$80,000

The cost of the show for you

$0

[Last modified December 15, 2006, 07:05:49]