Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, Spring Hill, Florida

The Nature Coast Botanical Gardens are managed by volunteers and is an actual nursery that grows and sells plants. The gardens have "owners" who plant and manage their own section of the gardens. They are open to the public to wander through and enjoy the various plants that they have there. We went on one of the days that the actual nursery was not open, but we did not go to buy anything anyway. The only downfall to going to gardens in the winter is that there are not many flowers in bloom. There was mostly greenery and very few flowers. 

There is a Welcome Center, but we did not to into it, and I don't know if it was open when we were there. There are different "gardens" with various themes -- Fantasy Garden, Parker St. Garden, Grass Garden, Memorial Garden, Rose Garden, etc. As I walked through the gardens, I really did not differentiate the different gardens in my pictures. There was a sculpture of Sandhill Cranes, that I thought was really neat. I was carved by Gil Watson in 2021. 

This was an interesting plant with a flowering bud ~~ Bromeliad Neoregilia "Mendoza." 

This next picture is from the Fantasy Garden, then we go into learning about the ecology of Florida and the ecosystem.

The Gardens are located in Hernando County, which is home to some of the last, and best examples of "sandhill" ecosystem in the Southeast United States. Much of the area was sandhill. Sandhill forests have open overstory of longleaf pines and a lovely understory of flowers and grasses. Sandhill systems used to cover the dry uplands of this area. Sandhill ecosystems depend on fire to prevent hardwood trees and shrubs from moving in and taking over. Fire clears the way for understory plants to grow and bloom. When we prevent fire, oaks shade out the sun loving plant species of the sandhill. Without this diverse understory, insects, birds and other animals of the sandhill won't thrive. 

An open canopy of Longleaf Pines lightly shade the wildflowers and wiregrass of the understory, all of which thrive on our deep sandy soils.

There are Wildflowers that are native to Central Florida. These native plants thrive in tough conditions -- sandy soil, heat and humidity, drenching and drying. Wildflowers provide nectar, fruits and seeds. Butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife depend on them. Different species bloom at different times. 

A closed canopy of live oak, cabbage palm, magnolia, and hickory can form in uplands in the absence of fire. Soils become more fertile, hosting a variety of shrubs, vines and ferns depending on the moisture available. Few herbs or grasses are found here.

Hammock is a Native American word for protected area. These upland forests are protected from frequent fires by water bodies or topography, allowing for nutrients and organic matter to accumulate. They are often ecological islands within very different landscapes. Hammocks can be mesic forests (xeric/dry) or hydric hammocks (moist). Where fire in pinelands is prevented by people, hardwoods grow to shade out sun loving plants, gradually creating xeric hammocks.

If you enjoy birds, bunnies and butterflies, you will want to use native plants to bring more life into the landscape. Florida wildlife dines on Florida plants. Almost all birds feed their babies bugs. If you eliminate bugs with pesticides, the baby birds will go hungry. If you leave well enough alone, beneficial predator bugs will keep everything in balance. Big grassy lawns given wildlife nowhere to hide. Plant areas of your yard like a layer cake: trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and ground cover. Add a bird bath and enjoy the show.

Florida's plants and animals depend upon biologically diverse plant communities for food and shelter. Invasive exotic plants create monocultures, pushing everyone else aside. Several species now invade and disrupt native plant communities in Florida. It's a deadly cover-up. What can you do? Learn to recognize infestations in your area. Remove all exotic invasive plant species from your yard. Consult with the UF/IFAS extension service on methods for control and disposal. Do not buy or share these plants. 

Tricolor Stromanthe Calathea

Camelia "October Magic White Shi-Shi"

Cast Iron Plant

Dioon Cycad

Ti Plant

Birdnest Fern

The Nature Coast Garden Railway

For over a century, families the world over, have enjoyed garden railroading, combining a love for trains with gardening. As time passes, this railroad site will change as buildings, features, additional track and landscaping are added. If you have a G scale train, you are welcome to bring your train and power supply and use this track. On most Saturday mornings, garden volunteers will be here to run the train. All the gardens in this garden are dependent upon donations and volunteers. 

Mother Earth