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A Visit with DR. B. Frank Brown


Jeff Searle

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A few weeks ago, I made another visit up to my good personal friend, Dr. B. Frank Brown's nursery. Over the years, Frank has written many books and magazine articles. His most famous 2 books that he wrote were on Crotons. (Codiaeum variegatum) His first book on this colorful group of plants is named; Florida's Beautiful Crotons.It was published in 1960 and is now a hard to find collectors book.His second book was then written in the mid 90's sometime.

     This is the entrance to his nursery.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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This is Frank standing inside his shadehouse. Inside you will find many tropical plants that he grows. Some of which include a large variety of Aglaonemas, Phiolodendrons, and Bromeliads.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Behind me, there was a small group of people that were listening to one of his many stories. This one happen to be about a coleus plant that he is pointing to.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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A look showing many of his Aglaonema plants.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Another look inside the shadehouse.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Varigated birdsnest anthurium. He only had this one plant, so you guessed it, not for sale. It was really beautiful.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Another dear and very close friend of B. Frank's is Cleofar Millare. Up until recently, Cleo was living on the nursery property helping Frank with most of the daily work in the nursery. Over the years, Cleo made numerous plant explorations with Frank into the jungles of Southeast Asia. Cleo now has started his own small nursery and landscape business in the same area and is only a short drive away.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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I have a bunch of Dr Brown's prolific bromeliads!

His enthusiasm for variegated Aspidistra (cast-iron plants) is shared by Leu Gardens in Orlando.

Fla. climate center: 100-119 days>85 F
USDA 1990 hardiness zone 9B
Current USDA hardiness zone 10a
4 km inland from Indian River; 27º N (equivalent to Brisbane)

Central Orlando's urban heat island may be warmer than us

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Jeff,

Dr. Brown appears to be in great health for his age.  Will you be stopping by his place on Saturday?

Ray

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Tampa, Interbay Peninsula, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10A

Bokeelia, Pine Island, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10B

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Steve and I also were at Dr. Brown's that afternoon, Thanks to Jeff inviting us. We weren't there for  long, but long enough to hear a few great stories, meet a few wonderful people, (Jeff and Andrea included) and get many pictures (and a couple very nice plants).

Dr. Brown's garden is beautiful, with many types of plants. He also has a few really nice palms, and some beautiful clumps of different bamboo.

I walked away from there with about 100 pictures, and I will post some here. (I'm not trying to hijack Jeff's thread, he asked me to post mine as well :D )

Triangles are one of my favorites, and there are many of really good size there. Here is one, with Steve for scale.

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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Here is a Licuala peltata var. sumawongii that was given to Dr. Brown by Jeff (am I correct on this Jeff?)

This is in a shade house in the back of the garden, surrounded by many other tropical plants.

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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I thought  these "islands" of Areca were one of the most beautiful features of his garden, I believe there are 3 or 4, lining the driveway to the house....

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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and another...mostly different bromeliads underneath the palms

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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I got to "pet " one of these for the first time....pictures certainly cannot do justice to beautiful and furry teddy bears ( D. leptocheilos)!!!! I am also a tree hugger, and this one sure got a bear hug.. :D

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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This gentleman is a real Plantsman. I greatly appreciate these kind of posts.

What you look for is what is looking

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Great pictures, Jeff.  Thanks for posting them.  I know Cleofar from many plant sales.  I didn't realize he now has his own nursery.  Is he still selling Dr. Brown's plants along with his own?

Is Dr. Brown's nursery open every day?  Wouldn't mind visiting.  I try and get to the "old timers" places first.  I love to hear the stories of early collecting and all the history they have.  Someone needs to write all this stuff down before we loose it forever!

Palmmermaid

Kitty Philips

West Palm Beach, FL

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Everywhere you look there are many different kinds of philodendrons.....some with HUGE leaves

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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and more....

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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Not sure what this plant is, had very tiny flowers that looked like some kind of orchid

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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Many bromeliads planted in pieces of palm trunk

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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I didn't hug this palm :P - can't remember what this was, but I'm sure Jeff knows

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Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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#19 looks like a geranium, 20 is a silk floss I believe. Great pics!

Bren in South St. Pete Florida

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I will post more of my pics later, I am having trouble re-sizing them, and cannot find the disk for my photo imaging program.

:D

Thanks Bren for the ID!

Wendi

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees!"-Dr. Seuss :P

north central east coast of Florida

halfway between Daytona and St. Augustine

15 mi inland

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(Ray, Tampa @ Jun. 18 2007,07:16)

QUOTE
Jeff,

Dr. Brown appears to be in great health for his age.  Will you be stopping by his place on Saturday?

Ray

Ray,

     Frank is in very good health these days. He just recently celebrated his 90th. birthday. And he still travels mostly to the Philippines every year to collect. He is a wealth of information if you could imagine. I highly reccomend to everyone that has the chance while passing through his area, to stop by and enjoy some conversation with him. He loves to have visitors.

Jeff

007

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Where is his nursery?

Someone should sit with him to write his biography.

I feel I should have done the same with Paul Drummond, only now it may be too late.

Rick Leitner

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

26.07N/80.15W

Zone 10B

Average Annual Low 67 F

Average Annual High 84 F

Average Annual Rainfall 62"

 

Riverfront exposure, 1 mile from Atlantic Ocean

Part time in the western mountains of North Carolina

Gratefully, the best of both worlds!

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Frank Brown's nursery is located in Valkaria, Fl.

    Valkaria Tropical Garden

    4263 Corey Road

    Valkaria , Fl.  32950

The telephone # that is listed in one of his books is 407-723-7839. If this is an old #, I can get the new one at the office.

Jeff

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Looking up his drive, going towards his house. It's lined with Sabal palms, majestic oaks and hundreds of bromeliads underneath.

Jeff

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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While up there visiting, forum member Wendi "Wendisplantation" and Steven dropped by also to check out the sale that Frank was holding that weekend. It was a great pleasure to meet her and tour the gardens.

Jeff

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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One of many pathways that take you through the garden.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Upclose of a beautifully grown Teddy Bear palm.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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I think #19 is a begonia.  Several of them thrive in Florida.  

The phone number for Valkaria Gardens is 321-302-0118, Fax 321-768-1697.  They are open during select weekends in spring and summer.

Fla. climate center: 100-119 days>85 F
USDA 1990 hardiness zone 9B
Current USDA hardiness zone 10a
4 km inland from Indian River; 27º N (equivalent to Brisbane)

Central Orlando's urban heat island may be warmer than us

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Dave,

     Your right about #19, it being a begonia. And thanks for the correct telephone number. I had a feeling the one in the book might be an old one.

Jeff

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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In the garden, you will find many species of bamboo growing, of which he usually has some for sale. This first one is Bambusa vulgaris "Wamin". The common name I was told is Wamin, but most people refer to it as "Budda Belly" Bamboo.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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The next one is Bambusa lako, or Timor Black bamboo.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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The last one is Bambusa chungii, the common name is Tropical Blue Bamboo, which happens to be one of my favorite's.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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An unknown croton.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Me posing with the Croton/Cordyline/ Aglaonema legend, B. Frank Brown.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Later that night, before we retired for the evening, we spent a great deal of time talking, and then I asked  if he would autograph my croton books that I had brought up with me.

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Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Dear double "O" and dear wendi  :)

thanks for the lovely coverage of Fanks garden.and all the plants are really very nice.but one thing cought my attention

was in the still of wendi & steve there is well grown tree fern

its a beauty and the verigated birds nest was simply fentastic

to our eyes.

thanks for those stills,

love,

Kris  :)

love conquers all..

43278.gif

.

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*slaps the side of her head* really...I meant begonia, I swear! Very cool shots! I grow wamin, can't wait until mine looks like that!

Bren in South St. Pete Florida

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