Where is the best palm place in Key West?

[Cocoa Beach Jason]

Going down to Key West this weekend and again in June. I've been down there a bunch but never had a chance to work in some focused palm viewing. Where is the best place to see rare palms and plants down there?

[waykoolplantz]

Mr Searle knows the best places...those I know of are private gardens nearby.

[Jeff Searle]

Jason,

For starters, give Tim O'Donnell a visit. He takes care of the famous Audubon House on Whitehead St. It's open to the public, he's there in and out through the week and would be more than happy to show you all the hard work he has done, not to mention the palm collection.

As far as private collections, the top 3 gardens would be Peter Whalen (over 35 years planted), Andre and his neighbor Danny. These are the best of the best. Send me a PM if your interested and I can put you in contact with these guys. All 4 gardens will be available for viewing while the Biennial group is down in KW.

[palmislandRandy]

I took this photo on one of my Key West visits a few years ago. Anyone know exactly where this house is? I took so many photos I forgot where this one is.

-Randy

[mike in kurtistown]

This may not help, but, according to my informant, there was a place called Nancy's Secret Garden, but she had to sell a couple years ago because she could no longer afford the property taxes. There was also a palm-crammed lot across from a city park, owner may now be dead, no clue to what happened to it. Maybe it's one of the places Jeff Searle is referring to.

[palmislandRandy]

This may not help, but, according to my informant, there was a place called Nancy's Secret Garden, but she had to sell a couple years ago because she could no longer afford the property taxes. There was also a palm-crammed lot across from a city park, owner may now be dead, no clue to what happened to it. Maybe it's one of the places Jeff Searle is referring to.

I believe Nancy's Secret Garden closed some time in 2012.

-Randy

[kwtimo]

I took this photo on one of my Key West visits a few years ago. Anyone know exactly where this house is? I took so many photos I forgot where this one is.

-Randy

Randy, I'm pretty sure this is on either Caroline or Eaton St, one block of Duval. I'm trying to remember where they have planted Dictyosperma as street palms. I also think the landscape might have changed a bit if it is where I am thinking. Now you'll have me looking. Any idea when you took this pic? And yes, you are right about Nancy's garden. It is long gone. Jason, give me a PM when you know that you will be in town. I'd be happy to show you my garden in progress.

[palmislandRandy]

Thanks Tim, The photo was taken way back in May 2008, so it may have changed a bit. I'd like to see it again, but I could never find it. Here is another photo if it helps.

-Randy

[Pando]

Looks like this one:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/521+Caroline+St/@24.558519,-81.803773,3a,75y,113.16h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1szC9Nx6gFh06cIvmQgNIV6Q!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x88d1b6ebad809223:0xbd725e378fa3f441

Street view now allows you to go back in time as well

Edited May 13, 2014 by Pando

[kwtimo]

Looks like this one:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/521+Caroline+St/@24.558519,-81.803773,3a,75y,113.16h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1szC9Nx6gFh06cIvmQgNIV6Q!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x88d1b6ebad809223:0xbd725e378fa3f441

Street view now allows you to go back in time as well

Holy Smokes, I would say that is it. Technology can do some wonderful things! Randy, it is just a few blocks from the Audubon House.

[palmislandRandy]

Yep Pando, That's it. I'll go by when we're down there at the end of the month, of course after a tour of the Audubon House.

-Randy

[Cocoa Beach Jason]

Ok, the answer is everywhere!

[mnorell]

I took this photo on one of my Key West visits a few years ago. Anyone know exactly where this house is? I took so many photos I forgot where this one is.

-Randy

Randy, I'm pretty sure this is on either Caroline or Eaton St, one block of Duval. I'm trying to remember where they have planted Dictyosperma as street palms. I also think the landscape might have changed a bit if it is where I am thinking. Now you'll have me looking. Any idea when you took this pic? And yes, you are right about Nancy's garden. It is long gone. Jason, give me a PM when you know that you will be in town. I'd be happy to show you my garden in progress.

Re: Nancy's secret garden...Tim, I saw on a recent walk downtown that Nancy had her placard out on the sidewalk on the Elizabeth St. side. So I think she is still open for visits (presumably on what portion of land she retained) at least on a part-time basis. I just had a look at her website and if it is current she is open 10-3 daily. Perhaps Jeff S. knows the details on how much is still there, though it looks like she is concentrating on the parrots. She used to have some pretty impressive palms, aroids, etc. on that lot!!

And I noticed the other day walking past Audubon all the wonderful palms and other goodies you've been installing in what, though a lovely garden, had been increasingly looking a bit run-down over the years. Looks great even just from the sidewalk vantage-point. Biennial guests are in for a treat in Key West!

[Jeff Searle]

Hands down, the most impressive private garden and oldest, would be that of Peter Whalen. But your going to need to know somebody to get in touch with Peter. Afternoons only too. But certainly the Audubon House, Andre and Danny's as well.

Nancy has nothing left to look at. Do not waste your time, not to mention she lost most of the property and lots of plant material was removed.

[mnorell]

Sorry to hear that, Jeff. I hope at least some of those plants were relocated rather than killed outright. I will have to go down Schoolhouse Lane and try to see what has become of that land. I assume cheek-to-jowl with some sort of development. Sad.