Bette S. Walker
Discovery Garden
Welcome to the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden, a collection of gardens designed to convey landscape design and maintenance ideas, to showcase plants which are outstanding performers in central Florida, and to provide a beautiful, serene setting for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of visitors.
The garden is a “living lab” which demonstrates the nine principles of the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program.
Each small garden features many non-plant elements including, different kinds of paving and mulches, trellises, containers, lighting, screening, seating, and other decorative features such as water elements.
The garden enhances and expands the educational outreach of the Hillsborough Extension Service, which offers free pamphlets, personal consultations, workshops, displays, and demonstration gardens.
Who is Bette S. Walker?
Bette S. Walker was the first Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers (TBWG). Upon her retirement, the TBWG gave Mrs. Walker seed money and a promise of plant material for establishing her ambitious project.
Mrs. Walker dreamed of a teaching garden that could showcase the horticulture industry and educate the public. The Discovery Garden blends her dream with the education and outreach mission of the Hillsborough Extension.
Creating the Garden
All told the Discovery Garden took about 3 years from start to finish. It required the dedicated effort of dozens of workers and hundreds of Master Gardener hours. The cost of the garden, including money spent, and donations of time and materials exceeded $300,000.00.
News & Updates
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