The Laptop Gardener

Florida Gardens

On the gardening side, Polk County in Central Florida has long been a visitor destination.  It is the home of Bok Tower Gardens, dedicated in 1929 and Cypress Gardens, Florida’s first theme attraction.  More recently Hollis Gardens was developed and opened in Lakeland in 2000, drawing visitors to its tranquil setting on Mirror Lake.

Hollis Garden, Lakeland, Florida

Hollis Garden is a formal 1.2 acre botanical garden donated by the Hollis Family to the City of Lakeland.  It is located on the banks of Mirror Lake.  Stacy Smith, Park horticulturist was a gracious tour guide and justifiably enthusiastic about the interesting plants and design there.  Of note are the silver bismark palms and popcorn cassia or yellow senna that smells like popcorn when in bloom. 

Other interesting happenings when I visited the garden was a gardener using chain saws was doing what he called “shucking the palm” by removing the boots.   He was using the chain saw to clean up the trunk of the palm and remove the branch stubs.   

Besides the plants and thoughtful garden design, Hollis Garden is impressive in that it is open to the public for free (there is a charge to rent the gardens for weddings) and operated by the Parks and Recreation Department of Lakeland, Florida.  Good work!

Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida

A long time favorite destination during azalea blooming season is the Bok Tower Gardens – a national Historic Landmark.  Today, the interactive visitor center, new garden additions, Pinewood Estate house and tempting gift shop make Bok Tower an interesting place to visit any time of the year. 

Edward Bok was born in the Netherlands in 1863 and immigrated to Brooklyn when he was six years old.  He worked for Western Union Telegraph Company and Charles Scribner’s Sons before moving to Philadelphia to become editor of Ladies’ Home Journal for 30 years.  He was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his autobiography, “The Americanization of Edward Bok”.  A noted philanthropist, in his 60s he created The American Foundation which would later be known as the Bok Tower Gardens Foundation to create his legacy garden near his winter home.  It was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in 1929 less than one year before he passed away – within sight of his beloved tower.  

The gardens are designed with meandering paths under canopied trees with hundreds of azalea shrubs at eye level covering many of the 47 landscaped acres.  They were designed by famed American garden designer, Frederick Law Olmsted, who works include garden parks in Buffalo, Montreal, Boston, New York City, Chicago, Louisville and Ashville.  Splashes of color from the azaleas, magnolias and camellias fill the shady respite under the oaks, pines and palms from October through May.  Then the roses and crape myrtle take over the blooming chores.  A 700 acre buffer zone of citrus surrounds the gardens.  

The impressive entrance building and visitor centre has fountains, sunlight, innovative plant displays and creative artwork.

Edward Bok’s Singing Tower

Bok Tower is a 205 foot art deco tower  (as demonstrated by the tile grills at the top of the tower) that is the centerpiece of the gardens.  The tile grills depict birds and plants and other Florida wildlife representing the balance in nature and were designed by H. Dulles Allen.  The tower was designed by Milton B. Medary and created by Lee Lawrie, stone sculptor extraordinaire.  Inside the tower are 60 bells in a 40 foot by 30 foot chamber that form one of the world’s finest Carillons. 

Daily live concerts are held at 1 pm and 3 pm.  The job of carillonneur is an honored position and if past history is examined, it is a job almost for life. There have only been three carillonneurs at Bok Singing Tower since 1928. The playing room inside the bell chamber housing the clavier or keyboard in a somewhat soundproof room.  Good thing because a mid-afternoon hourly chime played when I was standing right underneath the largest of the big bells.  

“Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”    Edward W. Bok

For more details visit www.boktowergardens.org