Summer 2013 - Florida Botanical Gardens

SUMMER 2013
Florida Botanical Gardens
BRIDGE CROSSING
at McKay Creek Watershed
Foundation Matters 3
What’s New and in the Works 5
Volunteers Make the Gardens a Paradise 8
Mildred Palmer’s Botanical Drawings 11
Support the Gardens 14
The Florida Botanical Gardens
Foundation (FBGF)
12520 Ulmerton Rd.
Largo, FL 33774
(727) 582-2117
www.flbgfoundation.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chuck Scaffidi, Chair
Terri Ziegler, Vice Chair
Erhan Ozey, Treasurer
Terry Berube, Secretary
Lynn Bosco
Gayle Cooper
Pat Dieterich
Emma Eshbaugh
Dianne Wheatly-Gillotti
Barbara Goss
Nancy Halvorsen
Vivian Haicken
Kathleen Harder
Richard Harder
Ray Marshall
Mary Sweeney
Melinda Vargas
ADVISORS
Paul Cozzie, Bureau Director
Parks and Conservation Resources
Steven Harper, Ph. D., Parks and
Conservation Resources
Theresa Badurek, Urban Horticulture
Extension Agent
Board of County Commissioners
Representative
Jean Barnes, Technical Media
LIAISONS
Wayne Ayers, Heritage Village
Florida Friendly Footprint
Chuck Scaffidi, Editor
To comment,
call 727-582-2117 or email
[email protected]
The Florida Botanical Gardens
Foundation, a non-profit 501(c) (3),
was formed in 2003 for the primary
purpose of raising capital needed to
add new gardens and other facilities
to the Florida Botanical Gardens.
Cover photo courtesy of
Rhonda Catalin
Printed on 100% recycled
paper using 100% wind
energy in a carbon neutral
process.
Dear Members,
Every time I sit down to write my “President’s Message”
for the Footprint, I take some time to reflect on what being
part of the Florida Botanical Gardens and the Foundation
means to me. For a retired NASA engineer to wind up
here is serendipity to the nth degree. Instead of being
surrounded by beautiful tropical flowers, native plants and
Florida-friendly flora – and lots of folks who love them as much
as I do - I could be making model airplanes, learning to whittle or
organizing my closets. Instead, I almost daily get to try to find ways to
grow us into the world-class gardens that we have been working toward for the past 13 years,
since the earliest days of the FBG. What that means to me is a deep sense of pride in our
accomplishments and our vision, along, of course, with the realization that there is still much
to be done, many challenges to be met.
Speaking of vision let me share one of my own personal passions: enhancing the beauty of
the gardens with works of art. Things are going as I hoped, so we will be unveiling an amazing
new outdoor sculpture during Holiday Lights in the Gardens. Stay tuned for updates.
This leads me to another of my garden passions. Since we are always looking for ways to
attract visitors, maybe a new target demographic could be workers who need to de-stress
or retirees or young mothers who want a safe as well as beautiful place to get some fresh
air and exercise. We can call it “Making the Florida Botanical Gardens a Healthy Habit.”
How does that sound for an ad campaign?
What more perfect place for finding a little peace and quiet during the hustle and bustle of
our everyday lives, communing with nature, getting away without going away, enjoying the
fresh air, and maybe getting a little bit of exercise? There are also benches throughout the
gardens for sitting, soaking in the natural beauty, meditating or chatting with friends.
It’s just common sense that spending time with Mother Nature is a good thing. Now,
however, researchers have started documenting the health benefits achieved from gardening
and/or visiting favorite gardens. Exposure to nature in a variety of settings has been shown
to reduce stress in humans. And on a grander scale: “Many of the greatest ideas and
innovations in history came about as the result of time spent in a garden.” (Please contact
me with any brainstorms!)
I also want to remind you that the Florida Friendly plant demonstration gardens have lots of
good ideas for your own garden and that you can combine a walk around the gardens with a
stop at the University of Florida Extension Help Desk for expert answers to plant questions.
The Botanical Bounty gift shop, whose sales of a variety of garden-themed items raise money
for FBG projects, is right across the lobby.
This year has been one of our best yet - from the Holiday Lights in the Gardens to Diggin’
the Arts to the new vinery and innumerable other beautification projects. We’ve also been
gearing up our membership efforts with good success. All these wonderful accomplishments
are due to the hard work, talent and dedication of our incredible volunteers. With our
ambitious goals for the future, we are always in need of more “roll up your sleeves” types
so please consider joining the team. We need your skills, energy and enthusiasm.
Of course, none of the garden enhancements would be possible without your membership
dollars, money donated at our events, and our generous sponsors.
So, friends of the FBG - thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you give and do. You
inspire me to work even harder to turn our garden vision into a reality!
Stop by for a visit sometime soon - preferably early morning while it’s still cool – and while
you’re at it, why not “Make the FBG a Healthy Habit”?
With great appreciation,
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Foundation President and Volunteer Coordinator
Foundation Matters
FY 2013 was another exciting year. To bring you up to date, here are some of
the highlights.
The Board will be developing the FY2014 budget and operating plan. You’ll be glad to know that Board
members are becoming experts at “doing more with less.” Anyone interested will be able to review
the completed documents in the volunteer office by making an appointment with FBGF President
Chuck Scaffidi at 727-582-2117 or via e-mail at [email protected]
At the September meeting, officers will be elected and terms renewed for current board members.
If you have the time and interest, the board is always looking for new members. We are happy to say that
3 new board members joined the foundation this year bringing new skills to the board. Our immediate
need is to fill a Community Outreach Sub-Committee which reports to our Marketing Committee.
You can get more information from Chuck.
Our Diggin’ the Arts event returned to the Florida Botanical Gardens on
Sunday, May 5, 2013 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Our second annual “Diggin’ the Arts” collaboration
with the leading art institutions in Pinellas County
included the Museum of Fine Arts of St. Petersburg,
the Morean Center for Clay, the Florida Craftsmen,
the Dunedin Fine Arts Center, the Dali Museum,
The Suntan Arts Center and the Beach Arts Center. Entire families enjoyed
museum-developed activities. Opportunity drawings were offered for hand
painted rain barrels, designed by each museum and the Foundation, and were
enthusiastically accepted by the drawing winners.
Plein Air Competition Winners May 5, 2013
Diggin’ the Arts hosted by the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation announced winners of the
Plein Air Competition.
Competition awards were:
Best of Show Winner: Cathy Morgan I First Place Winner: Deborah Vest
Second Place Winner: Charles Gray I 2 Merit Awards: Rhonda Care and Susan Fritz
HOLIDAY LIGHTS OPENS
Friday, November 29
5:30pm - 9:30pm
DOG PARADE
Sunday, December 29
10am - 4pm
GIFT AND PLANT SALE
Sunday, December 8
10am - 4pm
DIGGIN’ THE ARTS
Sunday, May 4 2014
10am - 4pm
Vinery Garden
Save the Dates
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More Matters
Save the Date
Monday, November 25, 2013
We will continue our annual tradition of honoring and thanking our members and volunteers with the
Preview Party for the Holiday Lights in the Gardens. We will enjoy cocktails, appetizers and delightful music
while we become the first to see the stunning 2013 holiday light display. As in the past, this event is by
invitation only as a member or volunteer, so encourage anyone who might like to attend to join now. In the
past, in an attempt to make this an exclusive event for members and volunteers, we have limited individual
members or volunteers to just one guest, or family memberships to two guests. Knowing that many of our
members and volunteers have more guests visiting during the Thanksgiving holiday and after many requests
from our members, we are opening the preview to additional guests of our members or volunteers. In order
to assure that foundation funds are spent for the gardens, not parties, however, we must charge $10 per
additional guest for those who would like to invite more guests than the one per individual or two per family
membership. Invitations will be going out early November. Please save the date and watch for your
invite. See you by the sparkle of the lights.
CONSIDER
Sponsorship
With over eighty thousand visitors streaming through the Holiday Lights
in The Gardens, the entrance donations bring in a significant amount
of dollars. However, what is generally not realized, is the cost in both
equipment and person power needed to provide such a stunning display.
Because it would be truly wonderful if all donation dollars could go
directly into growing our world class botanical garden, your foundation is
seeking sponsorships to offset the cost in providing the Holiday Lights.
Vinery Garden
Multiple sponsorship opportunities are available with
the Holiday Lights including everything from title
sponsor at $10,000 to individual display sponsors
beginning at $250 per week. Depending on the
sponsorship level, sponsorship might provide a sign
at the display, acknowledgement in nightly playbill,
passes to the Holiday Lights, media recognition,
memberships, or name added to the Omega Tree in
the Extension Lobby. Over eighty thousand people
will see the sponsor’s support of our garden. The
development committee has put together a beautiful
package of available options and would be happy to
share it with any potential sponsors. Please help us
spread the word and find sponsors to take advantage
of this mutual benefit. Committee Co-Chairs are
Vivian Haicken and Terri Ziegler and we’d appreciate
any potential sponsors you might know or we’d love
to share the sponsorship options with you, discuss
possibilities or answer questions.
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To become a sponsor please contact Terri Zeigler by
phone 727-365-1866 or email [email protected]
What’s New and in the Works
Melinda Vargas, Committee Chair
ART IN THE GARDENS
Exciting events are unfolding as we begin developing an outdoor art collection for the FBG.
Our visual and audio surroundings: the quality of the air we breathe, sunshine, color, a song bird,
flowers, scents, the sound and movement of water all influence our senses and mood.
Subconsciously we respond to these elements around us in a positive way. Moving water has a
calming effect on our minds and body. Water is the essence of life and also an integral design
element of the FBG design layout. After researching, and visiting many well-known botanical
gardens (in the USA and abroad) that have included major art works in their gardens by talented
artists, an idea for a water feature along the Tropical Walk was conceived.
Last year a call-to-artists went out in the Tampa Bay area to consider art work from several local
artists. After careful consideration we chose two Gulfport, Florida artists: Owen Pach, and Jonathan
Schork. Owen and Jonathan have worked tirelessly with the FBGF to work out conceptual ideas,
design, engineering, conservation, and every small detail.
The overall design will mimic an organic likeness of water lilies composed of metal and blown glass.
Water will flow through each unique flower gently cascading into water lily pads below, and splashing
gently into the pond/stream below, and ultimately repeating the cycle (a metaphor of life).
This water feature will add to the exquisite beauty of the FBG, and
calm and de-stress the human spirit. It will synthesize positive
flow of air and water and have a calming effect on our minds
and body. This fountain will positively fuse into the existing
environment, and design elements of the FBG and add an extra
dimension to the Tropical Walk.
Owen Pach
Owen Pach a fourth generation Tampa native is one of the nation's
leading hot glass artists. His resume reads like a who’s who in glass,
and he has permanent collections on display throughout the country.
Owen's work has won numerous top prizes at the best art shows
around the country, including back-to-back best of show at the
Piccolo Spoletto Festival in Charleston, S.C., the top sculpture prize
at Virginia Beach and the top glass prize at St. Louis.
Melinda and Owen selecting
the glass color rods.
Owen’s work can be seen in the permanent collections of Deland Museum, Asheville Museum, City of
Charleston, Virginia Tech, City of Orlando, Smith Barney, Bell South and AAMCO Oil to name a few.
Jonathan Schork
Sculptural Welding
Jonathan Schork is a multi-faceted artist, living in Gulfport. Founder and manager of The SchorkMunsell Studios, Jonathan works in all fine arts media including sculpture, painting, photography,
jewelry, and fashion. He is a published author, filmmaker, stage manager/writer for Theatre Walks
in Gulfport and Key West, Florida. He is best known for creating monumental community-based
interactive public sculpture and monumental sculptural “sacred spaces” for weddings, funerals,
and other events.
The Art in the Garden Committee is exploring other areas of the gardens where we can enhance or
integrate new breathtaking art. The Tropical Walk waterfall could use a face lift. Wouldn’t you like
to be part of this team or contribute in other ways? Contact Chuck at 727-582-2117
[email protected], or Melinda at [email protected]
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Updated Features in the Gardens
Terry Berube, Secretary and Membership Chair
The Florida Botanical Gardens has been growing in leaps
and bounds over the past year. Several of our gardens have
been renovated and we have had another expansion.
One garden that was threatened by closure but saved by
volunteers is the Pond Demonstration Area. This area was
created to demonstrate how storm water runoff can become
a beautiful wildlife habitat. Left unmanaged for several years,
this once eco-friendly area became overrun with invasive
aquatic plants, overgrown weeds and broken seating areas.
A 10 year volunteer came forward and asked permission to
bring the area back to its original beauty. Permission was
granted and he and several other volunteers spent months
clearing out the unwanted plants, vines and trees. Before
they began they enlisted the help of Debbie Chayet, County
Senior Grant Specialist and native plant expert who identified
those plants that were either native to the area or provided
needed support to the wildlife. Those were marked and left
untouched.
After the County removed the aquatic invasive plants, they
installed needed fencing and removed large trees. The icing
on the cake was when volunteer, Rich Harder, with financial
support from the Foundation, restored five wooden and
cement benches making it possible for visitors to rest and
watch all the comings and goings of our bird, reptile, fish,
and alligator friends.
Another renovation in the Florida Friendly Gardens (west side)
was in the Native Plant Garden area. Again, Debbie Chayet
was involved in organizing the redo of an area that had not
been maintained in many years. A new path consisting of
recycled mulch was installed and connected to an existing
pathway. Three large pine trees that had recently died were
removed from the area allowing much needed sunlight for the
new plants. Cooties, provided by the County were installed
along the border of the sidewalk to create a nice planting
foundation for a wildflower garden. Over 240 plants,
consisting of seven different species were planted by
volunteers. This area is looking better every day.
Back in the Formal Gardens (east side) the Topiary Garden was
given a face lift. Several new topiaries will replace two that
were very old and overgrown-just too big for the area. It is
much more open and enjoyable and a great place for taking
pictures. In addition, our resident topiary volunteer, Eloise
Leng (pictured above) has gently but precisely returned
our cupid topiary to his/her original beauty. It took several
months to carefully remove the unwanted plant material
and reshape the design. She has done a fabulous job and
we are lucky to have her on our volunteer landscape team.
Overlooking McKay Creek
Photos above: Lynn Bosco and Kathy Harder planting cootie
in the native plant area.
Eloise Leng working in the Topiary Gardens.
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Topiary Garden views in corner of the Wedding Garden.
This past fall the County staff expanded the formal gardens
by 11,000 square feet by opening up a new area on the south
side of the Gardens. This area sat vacant until Crew Chief,
Bob Funari saw “what could be”. Knowing that the Foundation
was developing a plan to expand the Children’s Trail, he knew
that this additional space would meet our needs. It currently
houses a nice variety of trees and shrubs along the perimeter
with a large expanse of grass in the middle. Stay tuned for
more information on the Trail expansion.
As you probably can tell from this article, the Florida Botanical
Gardens only thrives with the continued partnership of the
County, the Foundation and a dedicated group of Volunteers.
I want to thank the County for their continued support, the
Foundation for the financial support and the Volunteers for
their enthusiasm and love of the Gardens.
If you are reading this and think that you would like to be
part of our volunteer group, please contact our volunteer
site manager, Chuck Scaffidi at: 727-582-2117 or
[email protected].
Five new trees
have found a
permanent home
where a new educational
Children’s Trail Station will
be located. This area has been prepared (see photo on left)
How was this all possible? Special thanks to Dennis Spellicy,
a forestry specialist for Progress Energy’s (now Duke Energy)
South Coastal Region and Monica Forbes, Public Relations
Assistant, for their contribution to this effort and for many
past years working with the FBG Foundation to contribute
funds for Arbor Day tree plantings in the gardens. The
FBG has become a public place to showcase these trees
demonstrating energy-saving benefits by planting the right
species in the right places. Over 20 trees in the gardens are
designated as such and Duke Energy is preparing new signs
with their company logo in addition to the Foundation’s logo
representing our partnership.
“We are trying to educate Florida residents on the importance
of selecting proper species, whether to save energy or for
safety near power lines,” Dennis explained. “We also want to
ensure that they will enjoy the beauty of their efforts for
years to come.”
Thank you Duke Energy for your $1,500 donation and your
continuing support towards beautifying our FBG!
Entrance to the future Children’s Trail station.
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VOLUNTEERS
Make the Gardens a Paradise
Kathy Harder, Volunteer
Whenever I am at the Gardens, visitors stop to comment on how beautiful it all looks. They are surprised to hear that although we
would be nowhere without County staff, the majority of the landscape maintenance, including the day to day trimming, mulching,
planting and cleaning is accomplished by volunteers.
Who are these wonderful people who work up to five days a week to make our Gardens grow and thrive? They are people just
like you: teachers, doctors, farmers, former military, computer programmers, parents, wives and husbands who love the outdoors
and the feel of soil under their fingernails. Read about three amazing volunteers while pondering: “Is volunteering something
I would like to do?”
Eóin (Owen) O’Leary was born and raised in Dublin,
Ireland and lived in five states before moving from California
to Clearwater in 2011. The slower pace of life appealed to him
and his wife Colleen, plus living in Clearwater has made the
trip back to Dublin much quicker and easier.
Eóin’s PhD in pharmacology and his work in research and
development at pharmaceutical and biomedical companies
have taught him the value of asking questions and of critical
thinking.
As he enters into the often misunderstood world of Florida
gardening he keeps us all on our toes with insightful questions
and discussions how best to care for our garden’s plants.
After a visit to the Extension’s Palm Harbor plant clinic and a
suggestion from former Extension Agent, Pam Brown, Eóin
began volunteering in landscape maintenance in 2012. He
says this type of active volunteering, along with learning more
about Florida flora, helps his fitness level, and the often
strenuous work has helped him acclimate to Florida's heat.
“It is more enjoyable than going to the gym”, he raves. Eóin
has learned how to garden effectively using Florida-friendly
plants. He works hard, but safely, and I notice he always stays
until our project-of-the-day is completed. Eóin states that it is
rewarding to be part of the Florida Botanical Gardens while it
is evolving so quickly. He says, “The Monday and Wednesday
crews have such enthusiasm!” He continued by saying that
he is really impressed and influenced by many people on
these crews. Clearly these hardworking, talented people
are excellent problem solvers who anticipate future issues.
“To get so much done on a tight budget...from planning to
execution...Kudos to them all!”
Volunteering led him to apply for acceptance in the Master
Gardener class from which he successfully graduated and is
of great help to fellow volunteers and visitors who stop with
questions. Interacting with the people who visit the Botanical
Gardens is Eóin’s favorite part of volunteering. He and
Colleen are members of the FBG Foundation and volunteer
at the Holiday Lights greeting visitors.
After reading about these three people, wouldn’t you like to be part of the fun? If so contact:
Chuck Scaffidi, Volunteer Coordinator at 727-582-2117 or [email protected].
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Native born San Diegan Eloise Leng began volunteering at
the Florida Botanical Gardens in 2010 and became a Master
Gardener later that same year. Growing up in San Diego,
Eloise spent hours gardening with her grandmother and grew
up loving the outdoors. That love led her to take college
horticulture classes and travel the U.S. and Virgin Islands for
a few years, eventually landing in chilly Maine. Looking for
warmth, she moved to Florida 25 years ago, and now resides
in Safety Harbor with her husband Richard and their two
children, Stacy and Brian.
A successful family business required most of Eloise's time
until recently, and now she's pleased to get back into activities
she enjoys, as well as helping the community. Along with
volunteering at the Botanical Gardens, Eloise is also a docent
at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, where she gives tours
and teaches art classes.
While Eloise is happy to have the opportunity to work and
learn in every part of the garden, her recent focus has been in
the topiary garden. A corner garden in the wedding garden,
the topiary garden plants had been there since the inception
of the Gardens. Some were overgrown and several needed
repair but Eloise accepted the challenge and, over time,
has brought them back to their original size and beauty.
More than just pruning, her work on the topiaries includes
rabbit-proofing the bases, fixing bald spots with chicken wire
and sphagnum moss, and sculpting an overgrown figure so a
"dough-boy turns into a cupid again". She does this all with
a smile, a willingness to talk to anyone with a question, the
patience of Job, and a true artist's eye for symmetry. The
topiaries have never looked better. Eloise also volunteers for
the Holiday Gift and Plant Sale and Diggin’ the Arts garden
events.
kind of enthusiasm and knew it was the place for her.
Her greatest talent is her delicate pruning, weeding and
deadheading. She is able to transform a plot with weeds
and spent flowers into a thing of beauty using her knowledge
and patience; and never stopping until it is all done. It is
“spiritual” to work an area and see the beauty develop, plus
it feels good, she tells me.
Carmela Castle, a former teacher and resident of the
Mid-Atlantic area, moved to Florida in 2010 to be near her
daughter, son-in-law and grandson. She happily accepted
the other bonus of being able to garden all year long.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Carmela was caring for her
Grandmother’s rose garden while still in elementary school.
Her grandmother later willed the roses to her, and so began
her love of gardening.
Knowing this, Carmela’s daughter introduced her to the
Gardens which quickly prompted her inquiry about
volunteering. Her call was returned within hours to welcome
her to the Wednesday crew. Carmela was impressed with that
Volunteering for The Florida Botanical Gardens has been
good for her; she has met some great people and learned
more about what is available in the area (like the Italian
market in St. Pete). All this has made the adjustment to her
new home much easier. She enjoys the encouragement she
gets from the others and has a great sense of value. Carmela's
second love is cooking and she treats the Wednesday crew
with absolutely delicious homemade goodies. While bringing
in food is not required, it is certainly appreciated.
In her spare time, Carmela is a City of Largo volunteer at
McGough butterfly garden and maintains the Convent Garden
at her church. She is also an active member of OSHER at
Eckerd College, taking classes in history, music, and art and
more recently kayaking.
Carmela is a member of the FBG Foundation and finds
volunteering at the Holiday Lights, with happy people in a
beautiful garden decorated with marvelous lights, really gets
her in the Holiday spirit!
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Volunteers Bloom
Where They Are Planted
RAISING $$ FOR THE GARDENS
Kathleen Jamison, Volunteer
Barbara Goss has been a Florida Botanical Gardens
volunteer since the early days, quietly working in a variety
of hands-on ways to make the Gardens the best they can be.
“I love nature, but I don't call myself a gardener,” she says.
“I do love walking through our beautiful gardens every chance
I get, but you don't have to be out working in the gardens to
contribute. I have found plenty of other ways to use my
interests, my experience and my skills. There are so many
ways to volunteer at the Gardens and so much that needs to
be done. But I always feel like you get as much as you give:
new friends, new experiences. It really enriches your life.
And you don't have to be a youngster. I was over 75 when
I got involved."
Whenever there's a fundraising project, Barbara has always
been right in the middle of the planning and the execution.
“We've tried to raise money in so many ways over the years,”
she recalls. "Sometimes we barely broke even. Then when
Holiday Lights in the Gardens actually worked, it was
wonderful!” That annual celebration, which lights up the palm
trees and plants from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, has
grown into a successful money maker thanks to Barbara and
her fellow Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation board
members and a dedicated corps of volunteers. “But be sure
to point out that we only suggest a $2 donation for adults
and children over 13,” she says gently but firmly.
If you've been to Holiday Lights in recent years - and if not,
you're really missing out on a fun, family-friendly event you've probably enjoyed the nightly entertainment. Who do
you think discovers, recruits and schedules all the local choirs,
dance troupes, musicians, magicians, jugglers, et al? You’re
right - Barbara in one of her many hats.
If your pooch has been part of the Holiday Light’s Dog Parade,
and maybe even won some handsome prizes, who do we have
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to thank for dreaming up the idea and making it happen - to
the delight of dogs and dog lovers alike? Right again.
Diggin’ the Arts is another FBG project that Barbara has
helped get up and running. This collaboration with area art
museums, art centers and plein air painters had its “second
annual” in May and the thousands of attendees are already
looking forward to next year.
The FBGF’s Botanical Bounty Gift Shop also has enjoyed
Barbara’s touch. She is often found behind the cash register
ringing up gardening gloves, books, jewelry and much more.
“We like to remind people who visit the gift shop that we're
all volunteers so that every penny of profit can be used to
support the gardens.”
Barbara is also the FBG’s resident ikebana expert. That
passion, developed many years ago when she and her family
were living in Tokyo, is a type of Japanese flower arranging
that is centuries away from the type many of the rest of us
practice. It was fascinating to watch her turn plant clippings
given to her by one of the garden’s volunteer pruners and a
flower or two into a work of art. She’s mastered the disciplined
art form to such a degree that she holds the rank of Sanyo
Shihan, is a Sogetsu instructor for the St. Petersburg chapter
of ikebana International and was the co-chair of the ikebana
International’s St. Pete Chapter 50th anniversary celebration
in 2012. (She worked on the latter for five years!)
One editorial note: Barbara is so modest that it took
considerable effort to get her to agree to this interview. “It’s
only to help others to see that volunteering at the Gardens is
so satisfying, so enjoyable and so needed,” she points out.
Photo above left: Barbara with Garden Supporter Member
and former FBG Extension Director, Judy Yates
Mildred Palmer’s Botanical Drawings
are Blooming Once Again
Kathleen Jamison, Volunteer
It’s been over 50 years since Mildred Palmer,
the St. Pete rare-tree nursery owner, self-taught
botanist and passionate plant lover, set out
to turn a burned over 60 acres near Largo into
a botanical showcase. Sadly, her vision – the
Suncoast Botanical Gardens – can only be
experienced in its remnants at what is now
Walsingham Park. But her legacy lives on at the
nearby Florida Botanical Gardens where 170 of the
botanical illustrations she left to the FBG at her death
in 2000 at age 80, were recently re-discovered and
are in the process of being digitally restored and
enhanced by artist, photographer and FBG Foundation
board member Melinda Vargas.
“Mildred specified that her paintings could be used in any
fashion to preserve and enhance the Gardens,” according
to Foundation President Chuck Scaffidi. “In addition to
putting them online for the enjoyment of our website visitors,
we are investigating the possibility of using some of the most
beautiful to create postcards and/or note cards to generate
funds to purchase more plants. We think she would love that.
The FBG definitely has its roots in her dream.”
The paintings and drawings – some on artists’ boards, some
on paper, some in acrylics and some in watercolors – are
mementoes of her longtime love of horticulture and her dream
of sharing that love with the residents of this area. She chose
the site and helped design the garden with 40 varieties of
eucalyptus trees, 20 kinds of palms, rare holly bushes, cypress
trees, ornamental pineapples, herbs and succulents. For many
years, she and four or five helpers spent Saturday mornings
doing the maintenance. They kept the work to a minimum by
growing only low maintenance plants and by letting Mother
Nature do some of the work.
Most of the plants and trees were started from seeds,
including the towering eucalyptus trees. Though Mrs. Palmer
didn’t have academic credentials, she was so widely respected
by horticulturists for her practical experience that they often
sent her seeds from their experimental gardens or ones they
brought back from their travels. In addition to leading the
effort to establish Pinellas County’s Suncoast Botanical
Garden in 1962, she was its tireless leader for 25 years.
In a 1979 St. Pete Times article, she explained her goal: “We
want people to see how temperate and tropical plants grow,
bloom and fruit successfully. We also test plants to see how
they will grow in this climate.”
Original illustration on the left,
enhanced illustration on the right.
She recalled then that “someone lit a fire to hunt snakes 17
years ago and everything was burned out. And when we first
came out here to work, we used to be almost peppered from
the gunshots of people hunting quail.”
After negotiating the deal with Pinellas County to lease the
land for the Suncoast Botanical Garden for $1 a year, there was
a “land clearing jamboree” in 1963. “There wasn’t even a road
out front and we had to remove the stumps. We started with
800 trees.”
According to the article, by 1979 problems were starting to
arise with the rental agreement. A new county ordinance had
recently been passed that prohibited the county from leasing
property for less than the market value. Though the
agreement was good until 1982 and could be renewed at that
time for 10 more years, Mrs. Palmer began looking further
down the road. “If anything happens to me or to the other
people who have worked so hard on this, we want to make sure
that this does not turn into another housing development.”
She asked the county to form a botanical garden commission
“to ensure the perpetuation of the botanical gardens for the
public,” but a county spokesman was quoted as saying there
was not much chance of a commission being formed.
continued on page 12.
11
“I don’t guess that the county, from a political standpoint,
is particularly impressed with the importance of a botanical
gardens commission or they would have established one.”
(The article notes that the spokesman asked that his name
not be used.)
Mrs. Palmer’s nonprofit Suncoast Botanical Garden
disappeared when Walsingham Park opened in 1995.
Fortunately, her dream lives on at our Florida Botanical
Gardens. And now that the drawings project is blossoming,
she will be celebrated by a whole new crop of Florida flora
lovers.
Stay tuned to the Foundation media for details.
Tour Our Beautiful Gardens
The amazing flora and fauna in the Florida Botanical Gardens has brought
on a burst of visitors to the Gardens.
Guided group tours are becoming more popular as the FBG gains interest
from garden clubs, community groups, schools and visitors. Our experts
will take your group though the plant collections in the Formal Gardens to
bring our unique flora and fauna to life. From the extensive Herb Garden
to the exotic Tropical Walk, our tours are designed to give visitors the
best overview of our diverse and exciting Gardens.
We can tailor our tours to fit any particular areas of interest your group
may have.
A Children's Trail is provided to help you find your way or can be guided.
School groups can have fun and a learning experience by finding and
exploring our Children's Trail Stations. Tours are offered year-round,
as there is no “peak” time to visit the Gardens - there is always PLENTY
in bloom!
Tours last from 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on group size and mobility.
The suggested donation is $2 per person to help maintain the gardens.
Let us know the size of your group, 0 to 25 people, 26-40, or over 40
people. For group sizes over 40 people, please phone for arrangements
as the group may require to be divided into smaller sizes, need additional
tour guides, or be scheduled for different time slots. Payment is due on
or before the day of the tour. Checks may be made to Florida Botanical
Gardens Foundation. It is important to remember to wear comfortable
shoes, and clothing appropriate for the Florida sunshine. Water is
available in the Gift Shop or you may wish to bring a bottle to refill
during your visit.
To book, or for any more information, contact Chuck Scaffidi, President,
Florida Botanical Gardens at 727-582-2117 or email
[email protected].
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Membership is a Gift
That Keeps on Giving
You already know that the Florida Botanical Gardens offers a respite from the
daily “rat race.” (Especially if you leave your cell phone at home; but even with
it you’ll always find a calm corner to enjoy the natural beauty while you chat
or text.) Why not share this happy, healthy experience with your friends and
family? Remember our slogan “Make the FBG a Healthy Habit.”
The gift of a membership to the Gardens includes year-round access to our
120 acres of lush Florida-friendly and tropical plantings as well as natural
landscapes and an abundance of Fauna.
What’s better as an outdoor classroom for home gardeners and the general
public with indoor education classes and a plant clinic? We can’t offer free
admission for a year like some botanical gardens. That’s because we’re lucky to
still be able to welcome all residents and visitors free of charge. And that, dear
friends, is largely because of our committed members, volunteers and the
visitors who are moved to make donations. For all the levels of membership,
check out either our membership brochure in the gift shop or our web site.
Other enticing benefits are the discount local nurseries extend to Florida
Botanical Gardens Foundation members and special admission privileges and
discounts on purchases at horticultural organizations locally and throughout
North America.
DISCOUNTS for FBGF Members
Art Stone Orchids
3611 Tyrone Blvd, St. Petersburg
727-345-6733
Country Club Nursery
9850 Starkey Road, Largo
727-397-4438
DragonFly Garden
730 Broadway, Dunedin
727-734-4900
Earthscapes Garden Room
816 Alt. 19 N, Palm Harbor
727-786-4859
Esperanza’s Garden Center
6001 Haines Road, St. Petersburg
727-742-8499
Hawaiian Orchid Connection
6260 Seminole Blvd Seminole
Hazel’s Garden & Nursery
5063 Dartmouth Ave, St. Petersburg
727-321-4599
Jene’s Tropicals
6831 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
727-344-1668
Kathy’s Korner Nursery Inc.
Nursery Inc. & Tree Farm
6095 Haines Road N., St. Petersburg
727-525-9640
Palm Harbor Nursery & Landscaping
450 Riviere Rd, Palm Harbor
727-784-2992
Seminole Nurseries
6230 102nd Ave N., Pinellas Park
727-545-9619
Sunscape Plant & Tree Nursery
4730 CR 16, St. Petersburg
727-347-2915
Summerwood Gardens, Inc.
1171 Tarpon Springs Rd, Odessa
813-920-2153
Twigs and Leaves
2131 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
727-822-5400
Help Us Add More Nurseries
In order to make sure that the nurseries
participating in our FBGF members
discount program are located where our
members live; we would like to expand
the list you see here, especially in the
southern and northern parts of the
county. But we need your help in
scouting this out. Next time you visit a
local nursery that is not already on our
list, ask if they would consider offering
a discount to our members. You can
tell them that other nurseries have
been very happy with our partnership.
If they agree, please let us know so
we can contact them and set up the
program. Please note that the big box
stores such as Lowes and Home Depot
do not offer discounts.
We appreciate your help.
Wilcox Nursery
12501 Indian Rocks Road, Largo
727-595-2073
Willow Tree Nursery
4401 49th St. N., St. Petersburg
727-522-2594
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Support the Gardens
We can’t do it without you!
Friends like you keep the Gardens growing and making a
difference in conservation, education and public service.
We appreciate your membership and loyal support. Consider
the following ways you can support the Florida Botanical
Gardens and the Foundation. Details can be found on the FBGF
website at www.flbgfoundation.org (click on get involved);
arrangements can be made at the Botanical Bounty Gift Shop.
• Planned Giving
• Memorials, Honorariums and Tributes
• Laser Engraved Pavers
• Botanical Giving Tree
• Invest in the Tree Bank
• Adopt a Tree, Chair, Bench, Garden Structure
or a Natural Stone
The mission of the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation is to provide leadership and financial support for the Gardens. We are working hard to become a
World Class Botanical Garden that promotes the enjoyment, understanding and conservation of plants and the natural world.
A Special Message and Thanks from our Membership Chair Terry Berube
Membership numbers continue to climb and I am thrilled!
Our garden events and outreach activities have successfully
spread the word to see our beautiful gardens. Our new
visitors are very impressed with the many benefits we offer
for becoming a member of the Florida Botanical Gardens. In
addition, many of our current members have been increasing
their membership level allowing us to continue purchasing new
and replacement plants that keep our gardens growing and a
treasure to see. Thanks to all of you for choosing the
Foundation in your giving.
14
For those that are computer savvy and prefer to use the
convenience of the internet you can go to the FBG Foundation
website to purchase a new or gift membership, or renew a
membership. It is easy, go to the Foundation website:
www.flbgfoundation.org, click “Click for New Memberships
and on-line Renewals” and you are on your way. Payment is
made using a credit card.
Please contact me for membership questions, at 727-501-3787
or [email protected].
Thanks to These Members for their Generous
Annual Membership Gifts!
$1,000 Garden Patron
Donors
Kathleen and Richard Harder
Christy Herig
$500 Garden Steward
Donors
Tim and Gail Anderson
Alicia Chivers
Terri and Lane Ziegler
$250 Supporting Gardener
Donors
Jean Barnes
Sue & Richard Barnes
Richard and Terry Berube
Vivian and Barry Haicken
Sue and Rob Hamill
Denise Hawks
Charles and Joan Scaffidi
Angela Strain
New Members from
08/06/12 through 06/10/13
Individual - $30
Gail Anderson
Bartlett, Sue
Gyula Bela
Dianna Biscoglia
Joseph Blank
John Bolender
Dorothy Bornemann
Joan Brueckner
Darrell Butler
Christina Cacciatore
Carmela Castle
Debra Cole
Janet Clemens
Marion Crane
Laurie Dahl
Helen Denboer
Vada Mae Eder
Delores Foutz
Mari French
Lila Ganser
Elizabeth Gasparre
Meagan Gilliam
Peggy Goodale
Cathleen Greenwood
Vivian Hays
Sandy Holloway
Ken Jensen
Joan Johnson
Beverly Jones
Louise Karim
Karissa Kermink
Eric Kinsella
Ken Knox
C. Kienzle Krupsky
Susan Lashlee
Mary Levine
Norma Lewis
Janet Ley
Teresita Long
Jill Macfarland
Ray and Carol Marshall
Beth Mason
Jean McKnight
Carianne Meaton
Gisela Monus
Debra Morgan
Nancy Morrel
Craig Mucher
Bonnie Newton
Joan Panabaker
Julia Papalardo
Mary Parvis
John Pax
Maureen Pierce
Kathy Rabold
Patti Ramsey
Catherine Rueth
Kristine Ryan
Kathy Schaedel
Betsy Schneider
Pat Seeley
Eileen Senn
Virginia Shetter
Charles Sidletsky
Ginger Smith
Jay Sockriter
Roxie Spell
Anne and Kim St. George
Anne and Bruce Szabo
Agnes Touris
Judith Trimble
Cheryl Twining
Jason Vickers
Susan Warren
Karen Watson
Rebecca Wilds
Eric Wilhelm
Rebecca Woolvett
Garden Family - $50
Carla and Brod Anderson
Wayne and Nancy Ayers
Bill and Beth Barker
Paul and Linda Bavaro
Andy and Linda Bergeron
Patricia Bush and Laura
Morales
Teresa and Art Craig
Pat and Jerry Dominick
Alan and Susan Drimmer
Dorothy and Paul Dugger
Betty and James Ebersol
John and Gloria Enzie
John Garner
Dorothy Hall
Janet Hardy
Mary and Lauran Hensley
Mary Margaret and Charles
Joswig
Carolyn Kashawlic
Ellen and Terry King
Connie Klingaman and
Diane Rand
Judy Litrico and Jo Leonard
Linda and James Magner
Jeanne and Calvin Manning
Barbara Morgan
Bryon Nabors and Robert
Funari
No. Pinellas Women’s Club
Kalika and Margaret Novoa
Eoin and Collen O’Leary
Erhan and Eddi Ozey
Wayne and Tracie Ozug
Robin and Mark Pitchford
Lee and F. Salviski
Judy Sauers
Carl and Sonia Scheider
Donna and Bob Schenkel
John Schultheis
Sylvia and James Shanahan
Cathy and Stan Simms
Walt Skirven
Jerry Smith and Julio
Caballero
Karen and David St. Martin
Barbara Stauffer
Barbara Stewart and Patricia
Fallon
Curt and Antonia Waldon
Clara Whitaker
Susan and Vi Wittpenn
Linda and Doug Wright
Avant Gardener - $100
Shirley Bryan
Pam and Bill Burrows
Judith and Michael Fleiss
Nancy Halvorsen
Daniela Mellen
Ardith Rutland
Edouard and Caroline
Sezionale
Supporting Gardener $250
Denis Hawks
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The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation
12520 Ulmerton Rd.
Largo, FL 33774
For more information, please visit
FBGF on line at www.flbgfoundation.org
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