Annual Tours Spotlight Key West’s Lush Private Gardens

This Green Scene story spotlights an environmentally focused attraction, event, person or place that enriches the Florida Keys

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — A rare opportunity to explore seven of Key West’s beautiful private gardens awaits horticulture buffs Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26, during once-a-year tours presented by the Key West Garden Club.

Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days, tour participants can venture beyond the walls and picket fences surrounding featured homes in the Key West neighborhood known as the Meadows.

The seven stops, all located within a five-minute walk of each other, include lovingly maintained large and small gardens with exotic palms, large old champion trees, water features and pools, serene settings, tropical plants and orchids. The tour even features an edible garden.

Garden Club docents are to be on hand at each location, sharing detailed information with tour participants about the on-site plants and other elements.

In addition, four brief presentations are to be offered during each day’s tour. Topics include orchid care and mounting, massive trees and exotic palms, landscape design and garden edibles.

Tour tickets are $25 per person if purchased in advance at keywestgardenclub.com or at West Martello Tower, the garden club’s headquarters beside the Atlantic Ocean at 1100 Atlantic Blvd. On tour days tickets are to be available at the locations for $30 per person.

Since the 1950s the not-for-profit Key West Garden Club has maintained and planted a garden in the ruins of the Civil War–era West Martello Tower, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All plants are donated and cared for by club members and volunteers.

Today West Martello is the backdrop for spectacular orchids and bromeliads, mature fruit trees, indigenous plants, a colorful butterfly garden, a prehistoric garden and a peace park and labyrinth among other attractions. The garden is open free of charge from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except major holidays.

Tour information and ticketing: keywestgardenclub.com