Established in 1950 and tucked away in the Bayou Oaks neighborhood in north Sarasota, the Sarasota Succulent Society stubbornly and sweetly remains Old Florida, a place shaded by giant live oaks and devoted to the love of sun, soil and plants that prefer little rain—namely arid-loving succulents and cacti. The gardens were started by Walter Sparkman, who built his home there in the 1930s and became passionate about succulents. He found others to share his interest; eventually, they founded the society and purchased the property. Now a nonprofit, the gardens are run entirely by volunteers who care for the plants, educate the community and encourage conservation.
Succulents vs. Cacti
There’s a famous line in the succulent world: “All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.” Succulents, according to Britannica.com, are “any plant with thick fleshy tissues” that have adapted to store water. A cactus mainly stores water in its stems and also has areoles—tiny, round bumps on its surface where leaves, hairlike fibers and spines grow. Succulents are found on every continent but Antarctica.
The Bungalow…