A Visit with the Naples Garden Club in Florida

It turns out that one of the perks of writing a well-received garden book is not instant fame. I am still able to shop at my local Trader Joe’s without hiding behind oversized sunglasses, and no one has ever asked me for an autograph, unless it’s on the title page of Garden Up. But it has given me the opportunity travel to other parts of the country, and speak to groups of all different sizes about vertical gardening and small-space garden design. On my recent trip to Florida, not only did I get to speak to a vibrant and engaged group of gardeners, I also got to tour a spectacular private garden and an inspirational public one.

Can you say tropical paradise? Northern California is known for its mild year-round temperatures, but not this month. When I left for the airport it was a chilly 40 degrees, so you can imagine my delight when I stepped off the plane into the warm and balmy night air of Naples, Florida.

The Naples Garden Club is a warm and welcoming group, and none more so than my charming hostess Linda and her equally gracious husband Jerry. I arrived at their home in the late afternoon, and Linda correctly guessed that the first thing I would want to do was tour her garden. Here’s a peak at Linda’s glorious garden:

 

 

 

 

 

How crazy is it to see so many plants most of the country considers houseplants growing like gangbusters when planted in the ground? Crotons, copperleafs, ferns and bromeliads adorned every corner of the garden.

 

 

While stepping into a tropical paradise like this might make you think gardening in Southeast Florida is a snap, the opposite is true. The sandy soil requires constant attention, while the continuous damp invites a host of pests and diseases. In fact, several trees and plants in the front garden were slated for removal by the city.

 

Foliage makes up the backbone of Linda’s garden, but even in the middle of winter, I was greeted by a few spectacular blooms.

 

Thank you Naples Garden Club for the warm and enthusiastic reception, and a special thank you to my kind hosts Linda and Jerry for opening their home and garden to me.

 

 

 

Comments

[Kelly Marshall]

Susan,
You are spot on. My parents live near Naples and my mom is an avid gardener. But she fights constant pests on nearly everything, even on the plants inside her screened in porches. She hasn't been able to grow succulents successfully either, much to her dismay. I don't know if I could live/garden there after being able to grow all that we do in Northern California.

I saw a few succulents in pots, as well as on display and for sale at the botanic garden, but for the most part I gather they tend to rot for the reasons you mentioned. No question we are lucky here!

[Carole]

Hope your hostess and her garden club members will try native Florida plants which have evolved to take the humidity and poor soil. They don't need the fertilizer which pollutes our waterways or the irrigation that depletes our aquifer.

There were more native plants on display at the botanical garden. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar enough with native Florida plants to identify them, so am unsure how much they are planted. Additionally, I gather there is a great range Florida's cultural conditions, so I'm not sure what works in one part of Florida would work in another.

[Jason]

I don't think I could ever transition to gardening in Florida. Everything seems so alien, like another planet, at least compared to the Midwest. Also I'm afraid of alligators.

It is a very different style of gardening, but I saw a few plants that would be at home in any garden, like salvia. No alligators on this trip (not that I'm complaining...)

[michelle]

Wow, were these photos taken at your hosts home? The gardens are artfully arranged with a beautiful layering of textures and colors. I'm feeling very inspired, where can I see more? Lucky you to visit so many fabulous places!

Yes, all from my hosts' home! You can tell a gardener lives there. I'll post additional pictures from the botanical garden soon.

[Reed Pugh]

Love Naples in January. Have been going for years.

The weather was unbelievable. I'd love to go back.

[Pam/Digging]

I enjoyed touring Naples Botanical Garden soon after it opened a few years ago. Will you have pictures of it too?

Yes! The education director gave me a wonderful tour, but we only had an hour. I was so thrilled by the children's garden, I didn't get to see that much else. I was amazed to learn the garden has only been around since 2009.

[Desert Dweller / David C.]

Nice trip, and can't wait for Naples Bot Garden pics, too. I hear you on cold...even Denver was warmer than here late last week! I must get your book...maybe in time if I can make the bloggers fling in SF this June?

Wear the shades anyway...

You're thinking about coming to the Fling? That would be awesome! I just registered (this will be my first one) and am sending in my check today.

[landscape design Los Angeles]

Wow!! It just a wonderful scenario when we visit in January. This year it was the same.

[Sueann@organic-baby-garden]

Thanks for taking us on a tour of the garden with you. I like your pictures.

I must say though that I'm familiar with many of these plants. I've grown up with a few of them and have some in my garden now. There are also some that I've tried growing but they didn't do too well because of the weather.

I think it's actually too hot where I am now for some of the bromeliads. I also can't water as frequently as I would want to because of drought.