Exploring Sunken Gardens: St. Pete’s Hidden Tropical Gem

In 1903, local plumber George Turner, Sr. drained a shallow lake in St. Petersburg. The lake had filled in an ancient sinkhole. Drained, the land dipped to fifteen feet below street level. It created a tropical microclimate in subtropical St. Pete and provided the perfect place for Turner to indulge in his passion – gardening. Sunken Gardens grew from this passion and has been a St. Pete landmark since 1935.

Today, Sunken Gardens remains one of St. Pete’s most iconic landmarks. As the city experiences a renaissance and many of its old buildings are replaced by condos and new landmarks, these gardens stand as a stalwart connection to the past. Spreading across four acres, many of the original plants still grow here. A wandering maze of trails criss-cross each other leading down then back up in a colorful journey past exotic plants and trees. While many botanical gardens create themed gardens by species or region, the plants at Sunken Gardens grow in a true garden style with many varieties from many parts of the world side by side.

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History of Sunken Gardens

After draining the lake, George Turner began to grow exotic plants as well as fruits and vegetables. He and his wife sold produce and juices from a log cabin on the property until they realized that people would pay to stroll through the gardens. Early admission cost five cents per person. By 1924, Turner’s Sunken Gardens had gained popularity. Visitors paid a quarter to stroll through the gardens.

In 1926, the Sanitary Public Market was constructed adjacent to the gardens. In 1940 the public market was sold to the St. Petersburg Bottling Company which used it as a Coca-Cola bottling plant. The Turner family purchased the building in 1967 and created a new entrance to the gardens as well as the “world’s largest gift shop” and the King of Kings Wax Museum. The 1926 Spanish Revival building still houses the entrance and gift shop to Sunken Gardens as well as Great Explorations Children’s Museum, a Carraba’s, and a Southern Bay Bakery.

With the growing popularity of cars and road trips in the 1940s grew the garden’s reputation as a unique roadside attraction. Several beauty pageants were held in the beautiful location, including Miss Florida in 1947 and Miss Queen of Hearts in 1949. The Turners added wildlife to their growing collection of plants in 1950. They included flamingos, monkeys, turtles, parrots, and other small wildlife. Today only the flamingos, parrots, and koi fish remain. The habitats of the other animals are closed and used for plant displays.

Though the gardens survived into the 1980s and 1990s, like many early roadside attractions, it struggled. On the verge of closing permanently, the City of St. Petersburg purchased it in 1999 and restored Sunken Gardens to its former glory. The gardens are designated a local historic landmark. The 1926 public market building sits on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Flamingos at Sunken Gardens

For more than 60 years, visitors flocked to Sunken Gardens to see the flamingos. George and Lucy are the only flamingos which remain from the original flock. They were joined in 2016 by 20 young Chilean flamingos. The flock at Sunken Gardens enjoys their own pool and lush oasis, separated from visitors.

The Plants at Sunken Gardens

Known for its exotic plants, Sunken Gardens also houses one of Florida’s largest collections of native royal palm trees. There is also a rainbow eucalyptus tree, unique for it’s multicolored trunk, and many huge bougainvillea growing among the gardens outer walls. Visitors see towering oaks, colorful trumpet flowers, and graceful orchids. Every turn in the meandering paths of Sunken Gardens reveals a new delight. In many cases, the trees we saw on our visit far exceeded the size of any I’ve seen outside of these gardens. Plumeria growing to nearly thirty feet. Enormous ponytail palms. And plants I had only seen as small bushes growing as twenty foot tall trees.

The meandering paths of the gardens invite visitors to linger at each pond or stream, to gaze out from bridges or stare skyward to the tree canopy. The paths winding through nature encourage slowing down to take in all of the beauty around.

The Growing Stone

This fossilized limestone rock was originally found in the center of the sinkhole lake which formed Sunken Gardens. Legend has it that, “He who sits upon the ancient stone shall be granted tranquility, inner harmony, and the talent to make things grow.” Traditionally, the first day on the job for Sunken Gardens employees always includes a trip to the Growing Stone.

Information and Directions for Visiting

Sunken Gardens opens daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Christmas Eve. The city charges an entry fee (check website for current rates); however, Groupon often runs specials with discounted rates. Most of the paths follow ADA compliance so wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers easily navigate much of the facility.

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