The Sarasota Succulent Society — Attraction in Sarasota

I wanted to be able to give this a better review but it just didn't live up to expectations. We drove out from North Tampa for their semi-annual succulent sale. The property itself is beautiful and tranquil but the plants for sale were pretty rough and scraggly with very little variety. They looked to be plants that had just been sitting around the property, most likely since the last sale. Anything that was in good enough shape to buy had a label saying it was a specimen plant and not for sale. I would have been really mad that I made the long drive (hour and a half) if it weren't for the fact that there is a succulent nursery nearby where the owner let me visit and buy some plants even though she's not open to the public. Otherwise it would have been a wasted trip. She said sadly the plant sale hasn't been very good for a few years. She believes it's because all the society's members are getting on in years. If you live in the area, it's definitely worth a visit to walk around the garden but don't make a long drive for it. There's also no parking, so everyone had to park on the streets. The neighbors didn't seem to be bothered by it since it probably only gets busy three times a year when they have their sales. Plus they all had beautiful succulents in their yards so the society is clearly looking out for...

This is my second comment on the succulent Society because as nature goes this is the epitome of native Sarasota. I have been working here for 10 years at this volunteer-run organization. It was started by a gentleman who turned it over to the volunteers when he became too old to maintain this large one square Block Garden. The very old Live Oaks a are covered with vines and you cannot see the sky in most of the garden. There is a grow house with many exotic succulents and cactuses. Plans are for sale at ridiculously low prices just to cover the cost of running this Garden. And if you'd like. We'd love to have you as a volunteer one morning a week...

I checked out The Sarasota Succulent Society's annual Labor Day sale. They are tucked away in a neat little neighborhood on the north side of the city and their grounds are an absolute visual delight for plant lovers. This was their first sale since Covid-19 arrived on the Gulf Coast and it was worth the wait. Their sales always offer a wide variety of plants that one doesn't often encounter at regular nurseries and garden centers. They also have informative presentations on the grounds and their volunteers offer a wealth of knowledge. I came away with three very cool little plants and am already looking forward to their...