Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County
Welcome Center Entrance Concept Colomé & Associates, Inc. Architecture • Planning • Interiors
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUE
40 OurANNIVERSARY Vision for the Future TH
Burmese Rosewood (Dalbergia oliveri), Photo by Carri Lager, Honorable Mention/ Plant Life, Mounts Botanical 2019 Photo Contest
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 5 Curator-Director’s Message
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Welcome Center & Gift Shop Expansion
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Future Exhibits: The Art-Nature Connection
11
Wild Architecture: Integrating Art and Plant Science for Children
12
Next Generation of Volunteers
13
Recognizing a New Generation of Horticulturists
15
2017-2018 Annual Review and President’s Letter
17
Donor Spotlight
18
Our Generous Donors and Friends
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Visions of the Future: Reminders of the Past
21
Wildflower Gardens
Photo by Connie Wagner, 1st Place/People in the Garden, Mounts Botanical 2019 Photo Contest
4 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019
VISITOR ENGAGEMENT: PEOPLE-PLANT CONNECTIONS “I’VE SHOOK HANDS WITH THE PLACE... AND BEGUN.” – Andy Goldsworthy, British Sculptor
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s you read this Spring edition of the Leaflet, the Desert Rose, Forest Bell Creeper, and Mousetrap Tree will be in bloom at the Garden. Time and change are hallmarks of the garden landscape. This issue highlights Mounts Botanical’s efforts to make an impact through Visitor Engagement. Although the Garden’s educational outreach and exhibits are time-tested methods that work very well, they need regular assessment and change with the needs of our community. It’s an exciting time in MBG history as we turn attention to our visionary landscape and two capital projects: the Welcome Center & Gift Shop Expansion and our Master Plan. As acclaimed environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy notes in the documentary Rivers & Tides, he “seeks the energy flowing through a landscape” in order to participate in it. Passion, energy, and a clear vision for the future are bringing forth these transformational opportunities for the Garden. On page 6, you will be introduced to conceptual designs for the reimagined Welcome Center & Gift Shop. To date, this ambitious project has raised over $300,000 from donations, pledges, and our annual Spring Benefit event! Phase I of the design process commences in May.
visitors to the Garden, and the highly anticipated Big Bugs display by Artist David Rogers. Big Bugs is especially poignant to the Garden since it holds the distinction of being Mounts Botanical’s first ever blockbuster exhibit, held in 1997!
This year, Mounts Education is launching Wild Architecture: Art & Plant Science for early childhood and elementary school students. Curating exciting activities for young children is a strategy to cultivate environmental stewardship and an appreciation for nature. Moving forward with these dynamic exhibits, educational initiatives, and capital improvements reinforces the Mounts Botanical mission “To inspire and educate through nature”. We want you to be part MBG is tied inextricably to Artists and Art. Our of these exciting developments! Artist in the Garden Master Plan is the guiding I look forward to seeing you in the Garden. force behind the exhibits you will see displayed at the Garden over the next five years. It’s been a natural progression from ocean debris, to willow, to reclaimed wood. The article ‘Future Exhibits’ (page 8) highlights Cutting Corners: A Stickwork Rochelle Wolberg Exhibit, which continues to draw thousands of Curator-Director
Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019 • 5
Welcome Center Entrance Concept Colomé & Associates, Inc. Architecture • Planning • Interiors
6 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019
Welcome Center Interior Concept Colomé & Associates, Inc. Architecture • Planning • Interiors
NEW VISION: WELCOME CENTER AND REIMAGINED GIFT SHOP
Mounts Botanical Garden is a horticultural dream come true! Visitors feel it the moment they enter our 14-acre tropical oasis. Now imagine a welcome center and gift shop that delights and informs as well!
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ur vision includes a beautiful space where you can browse for that unique gift or plant, find books that will awaken your innergardener and spark your imagination, and where high definition screens with beautiful imagery will inform you on upcoming events and classes. Now, realize THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING! We are proud to announce the Mounts Botanical Welcome Center & Gift Shop. Construction is set to begin in May of 2020. As a not-for-profit organization, Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden relies on retail revenue to support outreach and free, educational programming to our community. Just last year, more than 5,000 local students engaged in a variety of nature programs and field experiences to learn about the joys of gardening, environmental stewardship, and conservation. The Welcome Center & Gift Shop, along with our display gardens, ultimately aids in our mission to inspire and educate through nature. Guests appreciate the world of horticulture through the unique items we sell in our gift shop and
know their purchase is helping to fulfill the Garden’s mission. An expanded and renovated Welcome Center & Gift Shop will accomplish several key objectives for the Garden’s continued growth and development: • accuracy in recording visitor attendance; crucial to grant applications and Garden maintenance • a richer visitor experience that includes education on the history of the Garden and its current exhibits and projects • increased revenue to support community outreach Community support for the Garden is accomplished in many ways. Members, donors and volunteers (some of you are all three) are responsible for the exceptional beauty of the Garden, and we are grateful. We need your continued support to keep our Garden thriving. Thank you! For more information on ways to support Mounts Botanical Garden, please contact Linda Ruark, 561-233-1757 or email LRuark@pbcgov.org.
Welcome Center Garden Access Concept Colomé & Associates, Inc. Architecture • Planning • Interiors
Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019 • 7
FUTURE EXHIBITS: THE ART-NATURE CONNECTION CONTRIBUTED BY MALLORY COTTER, VISITOR ENGAGEMENT AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER
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wenty-two years since the first major installation on the property, Mounts Botanical Garden has become known for presenting temporary exhibits that focus on environmental art. These exhibits offer yet another dimension to the Garden experience and have become very popular with both visitors and educators. Before any exhibit is confirmed, it is vetted by staff to see if it fits with the Garden’s mission “to inspire and educate through nature.” Exhibits should communicate an environmental message and purpose, highlight nature’s inherent beauty and
Stickwork Photography by Jacek Gancarz 8 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019
processes, and foster a sense of stewardship toward earth’s vital natural resources. Garden exhibits typically connect to one of three major themes: environmental sustainability, nature’s beauty, and the connection between people and nature. This season’s Stickwork installation, Cutting Corners beckons visitors to step inside and become part of a living art experience. Designed by artist Patrick Dougherty, and created entirely of willow reinforced through twisting and weaving, the five structures interlock, creating a maze-like effect on the interior.
BIG BUGS
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ext year, a very different exhibit will be installed. David Roger’s Big Bugs is a giant-sized look at nature’s smallest inhabitants and has a mission to educate the public about the importance of preservation and conservation. Larger-than-life insects, created from recycled wood and other natural materials, will surprise and delight visitors. What does the future hold? As we plan our upcoming exhibits, we want to focus on art that helps our visitors to connect with the garden in new and interesting ways, inspiring a new perspective on nature and the environment. We also want our exhibits to enrich our educational programs. With the ongoing support of our members, donors and sponsors we can make this happen!
Damselfly, carved red cedar, willow on armature
Assassin Bug, carved black walnut and red cedar Big Bugs photos courtesy of David Rogers Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019 • 9
Photo by Steve Nester, 3rd Place/Plant Life, Mounts Botanical 2019 Photo Contest 10 14 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring SpecialEdition Issue 2019
WILD ARCHITECTURE: INTEGRATING ART AND PLANT SCIENCE FOR CHILDREN
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n today’s fast paced, tech-savvy society, the challenges of preparing young learners is met by the solution of STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math)-based curriculum. Not just a buzz word, STEAM represents an innovative, engaging, and multifaceted platform where passive teaching is set aside, and the problem solvers of the future take flight. Education is deeply entrenched in the history, legacy and mission of Mounts; and as the Garden grows, so follows our curriculum. Mounts Botanical Garden is proud to announce our new educational initiative Wild Architecture: Integrating Art and Plant Science for Children. Thanks to three of the newest additions to our garden: Windows on the Floating World: Blume Tropical Wetland Garden, the interactive Stickwork sculpture “Cutting Corners,” and breaking ground later this year, the Blume Moai installation in our Tropical Forest, Mounts will now offer an exciting STEAM-based curriculum to the students of Palm Beach County. These three locations have quite literally built the setting for multiple field experiences into
Students from the Achievement Centers explore plant life in Windows on the Floating World: Blume Tropical Wetland Garden
the foundation of the Garden. Here, students will explore the artist-designed wetland garden, observe the interchangeable ways that nature and architecture inspire each other, and embrace an even deeper understanding of the global impacts of stewardship that take our learning all the way to the coast of Chile. At Mounts Botanical Garden, we continue to celebrate our unique ability to provide original education to our community through the lens of Wild Architecture. We believe that by approaching learning at the earliest stages of development, with a holistic perspective, we allow our students to not only meet the demands of our changing world, but to exceed them. Providing a safe and engaging place for students to develop the tools necessary to think critically, solve issues effectively, and harness awareness of their surroundings will prepare them for their future and inspire them to participate in creating it. We thank you for your continued support of education at Mounts Botanical Garden. Without it, none of this would be possible!
The joy of discovery! Photo by Venessa Weiss Mounts Botanical Garden Special Issue • 11
THE NEXT GENERATION OF VOLUNTEERS
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ur outdoor classroom isn’t the only way that students are learning here at Mounts Botanical Garden. Volunteering is a great way for high school students to enhance skills and give back to the community.
At our Fall and Spring Plant-A-Paloozas, you might be helped to your car by students from South Tech Academy’s DECA chapter. The DECA program goals are to prepare the next generation to be academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, and experienced leaders. DECA chapter student leaders Lawrence and Mary work with Garden staff to set schedules and make sure their peers are on time and ready to assist in anything the Garden or visitors may need help with.
Connor Sykes is a high school student who began volunteering in the nursery in August in order to fulfill a graduation requirement and, as of early March, has worked 50 hours since he started. Through his work in the nursery with Mark Jerrett, Retail Manager, Connor has had the opportunity to see and learn about a variety of rare and exotic plants. “Volunteering allows me to meet new people in my community as well as learning new skills and having a sense of accomplishment,” he explains. “I love spending time outdoors. Ever since I was a little kid, I would do my own research on anything to do with nature, whether it was plants or animals. Also, I grew up hearing about the Mounts from both sets of grandparents. My grandma would come here and take classes or just bring in a leaf or plant to get help identifying it. My grandfather, Douglas Sykes, would also tell us stories about the Mounts, because he was very good friends with Gene Joyner. The Mounts just seemed like the perfect fit.” Students aged 16 and older who want to volunteer with Mounts Botanical Garden can fill out an application on our website at mounts.org/volunteer 12 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) on Bandana Pink Lantana camara, Photo by Steve Nester, Best in Show, Mounts Botanical 2019 Photo Contest
Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019 • 13
RECOGNIZING A NEW GENERATION OF HORTICULTURISTS
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ach year, the Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden awards Horticulture Scholarships to students enrolled in the Environmental Horticulture Program at Palm Beach State College. To qualify, applicants must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and have three recommendations, including one from a professor in the program. This year’s winners were announced in February; congratulations to all! Lindsay Friedman ($1,000 scholarship) is in her fourth semester studying Landscape Management and Nursery Horticulture, and wants to eventually earn a doctorate in Plant Medicine. “The Horticulture Program at PBSC has opened my eyes wide and I really want to make a difference,” she says. Samantha Robels ($1,000) says studying horticulture “allows me to see the intricate connection between us and the world surrounding us. It sheds light on the significance of maintaining balance and compromise, the true meaning of progression, and the honor of being sentinels to this microcosm we call our home.” Jeremy Celso ($500) took his first horticulture class while a freshman at Jupiter High School and is now in his second year at PBSC majoring in horticulture. “The future of agriculture is in our hands and I wish to be part of that,” he declares. Austin Frye ($500) also started studying agriculture at Jupiter High School and is now pursuing an AS degree in Landscape and Horticulture Management. “My goal is to help nurseries increase the amount of tropical plants; specifically, the wide variety of palms and gingers,” he says.
Lynn Pernezny, Education Committee Chair; Samantha Robels scholarship winner; Dr. George Rogers, Horticulture Program Director at PBSC; Lindsay Friedman, scholarship winner; Molly Sims, Friends of Mounts Botanical board of directors
14 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019
FRIENDS OF THE MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN 2017-2018 ANNUAL REVIEW & PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Photo by Melanie Valentine, 1st Place/Nature Close-Up, Mounts Botanical 2019 Photo Contest
Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019 • 15
2017/2018 FINANCIAL REPORT
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN
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7% 38%
8%
ear Members and Friends,
I don’t need to tell you what an exciting year we’ve experienced! We presented our inaugural Garden of Lights last December and the installation of world renown artist, Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork creation he named “Cutting Corners.”
8%
We have so many plans for the coming years… and are facing some growing pains, which is both risky and exciting at the same time.
39%
INCOME
g Contributions/Events/Exhibits... $815,549 g In-kind......................................... $833,683 g Programs..................................... $161,486 g Membership............................... $177,480 g Gift Shop/Nursery...................... $156,494
After all, Palm Beach County now has a world class art museum and a world class performing arts center – isn’t it time to support a WORLD CLASS BOTANICAL GARDEN?
TOTAL..........................................$2,144,692
Student and Adult groups continue to pour into the garden requesting tours – our docents could work five days a week! Demand for our home-grown herbs and select plants are flying out of the nursery challenging us to recruit more volunteers to weed and propagate. The Mounts Botanical Gift Shop has become the new ‘go-to’ place for gardening tools and books as well as for that extra special gift!
13%
3%
11%
The community is clamoring for more educational offerings – which means hiring more instructors and lecturers. And then there are the outstanding exhibits we bring to the garden – and that means sponsorships!
73%
I think you can see where I am going – GROWTH – which equals NEEDS. And, in reality, this is all good! We welcome you all to consider volunteering in the Garden with your time and financial support. After all, volunteers are the heart and soul of this organization.
EXPENSES g Programs.................................. $1,324,735 g Administrative.......................... $ 195,509 g Fundraising.............................. $ 234,104 g Gift Shop/Nursery................... $ 64,229
Regards,
TOTAL.......................................... $1,818,577
Sandy Smith
2400 6,694 5,000
Member Households Volunteer Hours Worked
District school students, teachers, and garden educators served
27
Cultural Events
395 Public Offerings 54,476 Palm Beach County Residents and
Visitors Attending Programs
13,000 Visitors and Tourists from Outside
Palm Beach County
67,476 TOTAL Visitors and Program Attendees
16 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019 life, Mounts Botanical 2019 Photo Contest Photo by Andrew Weinstein, 2nd Place/plant
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
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riends of Mounts Botanical Garden board member, Rebecca Doane founded the law firm of Doane & Doane, P.A., in 2003. Mrs. Doane received her Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina. In addition to her law degree, she is a Certified Public Accountant and author. Rebecca was an honored recipient of the coveted ATHENA Award and also received the Woman of Distinction Award from the March of Dimes. She is a past President of the Board of Directors of The Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park. Mounts Botanical Garden is indeed fortunate to have the guidance and wisdom of Mrs. Doane on our board. She is an outspoken advocate for the Garden and continues to inspire others by her actions.
What’s your first memory of Mounts?
Taking my son to the annual plant sale when he was in 2nd grade. He absolutely loved it and it peaked his interest in botany at a very young age. It was a gateway to environmental science and horticulture of which he is still passionate about 15 years later.
What has surprised you most about Mounts?
That it is such a “best-kept secret” in Palm Beach County! It is a true treasure for the County and beyond. Our marketing and social media presence has increased markedly and is having a great effect but I’m still surprised at the lack of awareness of what a beautiful Garden we have right here in our midst.
What do you wish other people knew about us?
Mounts’ gardens are ever-changing and ever-evolving. Seasonal changes have a dramatic effect on what is in bloom. You really need to visit the Garden on a regular basis to get a full appreciation of the beauty throughout the year.
Why do you choose to support Mounts?
Our community has a world class performing arts center and museum and Mounts is poised to become a world class botanical garden. I think Mounts a critical component to the quality of life in our community and beyond and I want to see it reach its potential.
What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
I have visited almost every National Park in the United States. I take every opportunity I can to go hiking; I love being outdoors. Photo by Andrew Weinstein, 2nd Place/ Plant Life, Mounts Botanical 2019 Photo Contest
Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019 • 17
MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN IS GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROSITY OF ITS DONORS IN 2018. THANK YOU! $50,000 - $999,999 LEVEL
Batchelor Foundation Community Foundation of Palm Beach/Martin Counties
$10,000 - $49,999 LEVEL
Mr. & Mrs. Randell Doane Florida Power & Light Company The Gentlemen of the Garden Mrs. Margaret Sims Ms. Patricia Underwood
$1,000 - $9,999 LEVEL
Mr. Rodney Johnson & Ms. Ruth Arneson Art by Nature Garden Center Mr. & Mrs. William Aylward Mr. & Mrs. Robert Aymond Mrs. Mary Randolph Ballinger Mrs. Merrilyn Bardes Ms. Lisbeth Barron Mr. Robert Bauman Mr. & Mrs. Keith Beaty Mr. William Brady Mr. & Mrs. Tom Brockway Broken Sound Butterfly and Garden Club Mrs. & Mrs. Coleman Burke Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Camp Ms. April Clark Mrs. & Mrs. John Cregan Mrs. Margretta Curry Ms. Cheryl Danieli Mrs. Beth DeWoody Mrs. Edith Dixon Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eigelberger Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Fisher Mrs. & Mrs. Kristine Frisbie Ms. Gillian Fuller Garden Club of Palm Beach, Inc. Garden Couture, Inc. Ms. Shawna Price Florida Dept of State Division of Cultural Affairs Ms. Jennifer Garrigues Mrs. Martha Gilbert Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Henry Mr. & Mrs. Peter Hill Mrs. Diana Holt Mrs. Teri Jabour Mrs. Julie Kime
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Kinney Ms. Jackie Kingston Ms. Leslie Mann Mr. & Mrs. William Matthews Mrs. Betsy Matthews Mr. & Mrs. John McAtee Mr. & Mrs. John McAuliffe Miss Maria Mitsinicos Mrs. Beverly Myers NABA Palm Beach County Mrs. Christian Odasso Palm Beach County Farm Bureau Mrs. Alice Pannill Ms. Ilene Passler Mr. & Mrs. Charles Pepper Mr. & Mrs. John Pew Mr. Jeffrey Phipps Preservation Foundation of PB Mrs. & Mrs. G. Peter Reed Mr. Saul Rosenthal Ms. Andrea Schechter Ms. Flo Shulman Mr. & Mrs. Michael Smith Mr. Raymond Tollman & Ms. Sandy Smith Mrs. Earl E.T. Smith Mr. & Mrs. William Soter Mr. & Mrs. John Spofford Mr. Jack Staub & Mr. Renny Reynolds Mrs. Louise Stephaich Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Sullivan TD Bank The Coastal Star Rev. Dr. Cecily & Mr. Rodman Titcomb Tropical Bamboo Mr. Patrick Trouillot Mr. & Mrs. William Vaughan Ms. Paton White Mrs. Diana Wister Ms. Rochelle Wolberg Yardco Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zimmerman Zimmerman Tree Service
$500 - $999 LEVEL
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bowen Mr. & Mrs. Peter Broberg Mr. & Mrs. David Callaway Mr. & Mrs. David Callaway
City of West Palm Beach Mr. Bruce Cliff & Mr. Andrew Huber Mr. & Mrs. Juan Cocuy Ms. Cathy Coleman Mrs. Wylene Commander Dr. Rachel & Mr. Steve Docekal Mr. & Mrs. Peter Dupuis Mr. & Mrs. J. Pepe Fanjul Dr. & Mrs. Robert Flucke Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gilbert Mrs. Cynthia Hartman Holyfield & Thomas, LLC Mr. & Mrs. Sam Hunt Dr. & Mrs. Ernest Jabour Mr. & Mrs. John Kime King Tree Service of South Florida Mr. John Koons Mr. Dan Bailey & Ms. Gale Langford Ms. Elaine Langone Ms. Leigh McMakin Michael & Annie Falk Foundation Michael & Annie Falk Foundation Mr. David Miller & Mr. Ray Wakefield Mr. & Mrs. Donald Mintmire Mr. & Mrs. Dennis O’Kain Ms. Claire Omrod & Mrs. Shirley Himeback Mr. William Pedersen & Ms. Eileen Lentz Mr. & Mrs. John Pohanka Mr. Lewis Pollack Reynolds Family Foundation Mr. Miguel Rosales & Mr. John David Corey Mrs. Connie Roy-Fisher Mr. Thomas Schoch & Mrs. Sally Marks Mr. & Mrs. Martin Silver Mrs. Caroline Sory Mr. & Mrs. Grady Stephens Mrs. Elizabeth Summers Mr. & Mrs. Jack Thomas Voxx International Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Whitesell Mr. & Mrs. Larry Wilson Mr. Fernando Wong & Mr. Tim Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Ken Zimmerman
Due to space restrictions we are unable to list donations of under $500. We are thankful for every gift. Please excuse any omissions. 18 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019
VISIONS OF THE FUTURE: REMINDERS OF THE PAST CONTRIBUTED BY JOEL CRIPPEN, DISPLAY GARDENS HORTICULTURIST
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he construction of the Maoi, Easter Island statues, was one of the world’s greatest human feats in this story so what is their significance to Mounts and the Mounts vision of the future?
Easter Island, and the Rapa Nui people, are also a story of one of the greatest human cultural and ecological disasters. In the end, it is a story of our need to preserve, protect our environment and resources; our potable water, our ocean and sea life, our forests, native wildlife and our fertile farmland. Mounts, like many urban green spaces, helps filter and cool our air, generate oxygen and provide habit for diminishing native wildlife. In other words, help combat the adverse effects of over-urbanization, pollution and changing climatic conditions. The Moai at Mounts are not only a reminder of what greatness we can achieve but also the consequences those achievements can yield. This spring Mounts is embarking on a monolithic project of erecting three Moai statues within our Tropical Shade Forest. The Easter Island heads are the inspiration and generous gift of Margaret Blume; designed and constructed by artist, Dennis MacDonald. (continued on next page)
Margaret Blume with Easter Island Moai Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019 • 19
VISIONS OF THE FUTURE:REMINDERS OF THE PAST (continued from previous page)
Mounts Tropical Forest, future site of the Moai installation.
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hen you think of Easter Island (Isla Pasqual, Chile), you think of those mammoth sculptures contrasted against a barren landscape − but the island was not always that way. Our tropical forest signifies the forest that once blanketed the island of the Rapa Nui. Like on Easter Island, the Moai (face of the ancestors) will stand with their backs to the sea − a significance yet to be truly understood. Another mystery is the relationship between the great palms (Nui) of the island and the great statues. When the Polynesians arrived, the island was home to an estimated 19 million Jubaea Palms which, in the short period of their civilization (c.500 years), were decimated to extinction. The destruction of these palms is another great mystery, and controversy. What we do know about these palms is that they are very slow growing and are the largest palms (by girth and weight) of any in the world. Although the palms went extinct on the island, the same species (Jubaea chiliensis), or close relative, exists today in Chile. Jubaea Palms take years to form a trunk, up to 60 years to fruit, grow to 100 feet tall with trunk diameters of a staggering 4 to 6 feet! They were utilized for shelter construction, canoes, firewood and for their nutritious “coquitos” (little coconuts). The big debate is if, and how, they were used in the construction and moving of the Moai statuary. Undisputed, is that there is a correlation between the statues and the decimation of the Rapa Nui people and the Nui palms. Unfortunately, what we know at Mounts is that the Jubaea Palm or Chilean Wine Palm, will not grow in South Florida. Plantings of “Jubaea” like palms around our Moai display would make the meaning so much more significant, so we had to improvise. One of the largest growing Caribbean palms is the Puerto Rican Hat Palm (Sabal causiarum). Although, not by any means,
20 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019
comparable in size with the Jubaea chiliensis, Sabal causiarum is still monumental in appearance, growing to 35 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 2-1/2 feet. Better yet, we have two grand specimens at Mounts. With judicious root pruning and the assistance of George Nottingham of Groundworks of PBC, Inc, they could be relocated into prominent locations to the statues. Three younger trees, by considerate generosity of Marshall Dewey of Folsum Palms, would be used to help accentuate the Moai and be the successive generation to the elder specimens − a reminder of the need for sustainable forestation. Without a doubt, the Rapa Nui were very resourceful to be able to achieve creating the 950 statues they left as evidence of the great society. They were also very resourceful farmers. Limited by unpredictable rainfall, lack of freshwater (except from a few crater lakes) they farmed in rock circles. Building 6-foot rock walls around small cropping beds to protect the plants from evaporative winds and to help retain precious soil water and compost. The ancient volcanic soils of the island were eroded of their essential plant growing nutrients. Farmers had to compost what they could and crush the old lava rock to release what valuable plant nutrients remained inside. Palm Beach County is one of the great “bread basket” farming areas of the United States. Over the last century, our nutrient muck soils, responsible for PBC’s farming success, has lost 9 feet of depth primarily due to wind erosion. Again, the Easter Island story is a reminder of preserving our precious resources, whether it be our forest, our water, our food source or the entire ecology of our South Florida ecosystem. Why are the Moai at Mounts? Because the Moai are a reminder for the future story of us.
WILDFLOWER GARDENS CONTRIBUTED BY TOM HEWITT
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o doubt about it. Wildflowers are survivors and everyone’s favorites. While cottage gardens demand order and discipline, wildflower gardens allow us to throw caution to the wind… within limits, of course. You still need to choose plants that are compatible with one other and won’t get out of scale. They should also bloom at different times, and most, if not all, should be native. Here in South Florida we have an incredible list to choose from. I’ve found that a long border shows native perennials off to best advantage. The one I recently completed in my back yard is only four feet wide and 18 feet long, but it’s amazing how much beauty and diversity you can have in a small area if you choose the right plants. When designing a wildflower garden, where space is limited think up instead of out. Choose an abundance of “spiky” plants like tropical sage (Salvia coccinea), gayfeather (Liatris spp.), seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) and white beardtongue (Penstemon multiflorus). Space these out in your garden, then augment them with “mounding” subjects like blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella), tickseed (Coreopsis spp.), starry rosinweed (Silphium asteriscus) and black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta). Staggering
plants this way gives a garden a much more natural look. One native wildflower no garden should be without is seashore ageratum (Ageratum littorale), an endangered plant of the Florida Keys. Like many wildflowers, it behaves as a short-term perennial, lasting up to two years. But it blooms continuously and attracts Atalla butterflies in large numbers. Seaside goldenrod also attracts them, and the two blooming together is a sight to behold. One of the best native wildflowers for attracting a wide variety of pollinators is spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata). Yellowtop (Flaveria linearis) is also quite good, as is Tampa verbena (Glandularia tampensis). Dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis) is also one of the best, but it grows fast and can quickly overwhelm a small garden. In shade, grow spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) and lyreleaf sage (Salvia lyrata). Most native Florida wildflowers are sun-lovers, so be sure to plant your garden where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight a day. Most actually appreciate a break from the sun during the hottest part of the day. Be sure not to overwater them, and don’t over-fertilize. Many wildflowers self-sow freely, providing your mulch isn’t too thick. That’s why I prefer mulching lightly with oak leaves and grass clippings, which break down faster than wood mulch, and add organic matter to the soil.
Spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata) attracts a wide range of pollinators. Photo by Tom Hewitt Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019 • 21
Wildflower gardens should contain as many native species as possible. Photo contributed by Tom Hewitt 22 • Mounts Botanical Garden Spring Edition 2019
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
FRIENDS OF THE MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN
PAID
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Sandy Smith President Martha Gilbert 1st Vice President
West Palm Beach, FL Permit No. 373
Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden 559 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33415
William S. Brady Treasurer Paton White Secretary Polly Reed Immediate Past President DIRECTORS AT LARGE Julie Miles Ilene Passler Margretta Curry Stephanie Pew Rebecca Doane Jeffrey Phipps, Sr. Rachel Docekal Shawna Price Jacquelyn Kingston Margaret Sims Julie Kime Michael Zimmerman CURATOR - DIRECTOR Rochelle Wolberg DIRECTOR OF PBC EXTENSION / EX-OFFICIO Ron Rice HONORARY DIRECTORS Leslie Clarke Bob Eigelberger Clayton Hutcheson Gene Joyner PUBLISHED BY Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden CONTRIBUTORS Mallory Cotter, Joel Crippen, Tom Hewitt, Rochelle Wolberg EDITOR Melissa Carter
A NEW VISION
ART DIRECTOR Deborah Bottorff COPY EDITOR Carol Carnevale
Administrative Office Phone: 561-233-1757 www.mounts.org This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.
Welcome Center Entrance Concept
Colomé & Associates, Inc. Architecture • Planning • Interiors
WELCOME CENTER AND REIMAGINED GIFT SHOP Learn more at www.mounts.org/welcome-center
Leaflet is a publication produced by the Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden for its members. Copyright 2019 with all rights reserved.