ST. PETERSBURG — Sunken Gardens will host the fourth annual Plantapolooza on Sunday, Jan. 25, from noon to 4 p.m., offering visitors free native plant seedlings and educational programming focused on Florida’s botanical landscape.
The event, originated by The Community Wildlife Corridor, aims to connect wildlife populations in major parks with backyard native gardens throughout the region. Admission is free with garden membership or regular entry fees.
Attendees can browse native plants from more than 20 Tampa Bay area vendors and organizations, while supplies of free seedlings last. The festival features three themed lectures by native plant experts: Stacey Matrazzo of the Florida Wildflower Foundation discussing native plants for Florida gardens at 1 p.m., author Marjorie Shropshire covering living shorelines for coastal resilience at 2 p.m., and Madeleine Krebs of Wise Hands Native Plant Landscaping addressing landscape maintenance for wildlife at 3 p.m.
Youth activities will be available throughout the afternoon.
Organizers encourage visitors to bring boxes, carts or wagons to transport plants and to carpool or use alternative transportation due to limited parking at the 1825 Fourth St. N. facility. Additional parking is available at Crescent Lake Park at 22nd Avenue and Fifth Street North.
The event will not process new memberships to expedite admission. For more information, call 727-551-3102.