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A garden shop at Busch Gardens!

Posted Feb 12, 2010 by Kim Franke-Folstad

Updated Feb 12, 2010 at 06:30 PM

We live close to Busch Gardens, so we go at least once a year. I go for the gardens, my son goes for the coasters, and my husband goes along.

I feel as though I know the park pretty well, so imagine my surprise when I came across a sign advertising the Garden Gate Garden Shop.

Huh?

Had to be new, I thought.

It took us a while to find it – it’s a bit off our beaten path, but it’s not exactly hidden. And it’s adorable.

The shop has been there for two years, according to the woman working there. They sell lots of sweet little things – garden art, pottery and plants mostly. I was tempted by these pretty garden stakes, but I managed to say no.

The prices are mostly reasonable, though. They were selling bougainvilleas for a price you’d probably pay at Lowe’s or Home Depot. The Mexican pottery was a bit more than I’ve paid for mine, but not too far out of reach.

Anyway, I’ll make it a regular stop from now on.

It was interesting to see how the plants at Busch Gardens compared to what we weekend gardeners are dealing with. They have obviously replanted some beds – and this one was done just for Valentine’s Day. (I think it would make a romantic spot to propose. If your bride-to-be isn’t too finicky about elephant smells, that is.)

There were plenty of brown plants, too, though. Lots of vines and trees they’ve just had to let go. It actually made me feel better to see that the gardeners there are in the same boat as the rest of us.