ATTRACTIONS
City, citizens reap
many benefits from
botanical gardens
Botanical Gardens strive for beauty, which
inspires others to recreate the same tableau of nature in their
homes and gardens.
The gardens, a beautiful 20-acre oasis by a lake, have paved
pathways, a pavilion and a variety of native flora and fauna
on the west side of Westmoreland Boulevard, just south of
Port St. Lucie Boulevard on the shore of the St. Lucie River.
The gardens feature a variety of bamboo, bromeliad,
cactus, hibiscus, orchids, roses, butterflies and many native
plants. Upkeep and care is provided by volunteers and many
varietal garden clubs that designate their volunteerism to
their specialties. In return, they are can hold their meetings in
the conference center.
“Our various volunteers could have planted their most exotic
and difficult variety,” board president Jolene King said. “But
then how will people grow them in their own gardens? We
want the plants here to be within reach for everyone to grow.”
NEW GROWTH
Compared with other well-known gardens in nearby cities,
PSLBG is just a sprout — born March 6, 2010. Bok Tower Gardens
Botanical Garden opened in its original form as McKee Jungle
Gardens 84 years ago and even Heathcote Botanical Gardens in
Fort Pierce, its closest and youngest neighbor, opened in 1986.
Approximately 1,500 visitors come through monthly, but
with events and festivals that bring in hundreds for the day
like Christmas in the Garden and the Botanica Garden Festival
and Plant Sale held every February yearly estimates are
around 20,000 visitors.
“It’s exciting to think how it is only going to get better with
time — not only because of the vegetation growing in and the
continuing hard work of our dedicated volunteers and staff,
but also the envisioned improvements to the Westmoreland
39
any formal gardens seem like artwork in
museums — beautiful but not created by
or to be touched by mere mortals. Volunteers
and organizers at the Port St. Lucie
was established as a public garden 87 years ago; McKee
PORT SAINT LUCIE BOTANICAL GARDENS
Where: 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd., Port St. Lucie
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays
through Saturdays; noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Admission: No entrance fee.
Suggested donations $5 adult, $2 students.
For more information: Call 337-1959
or visit pslbotanicalgardens.org
>>
M
CHRISTINA TASCON PHOTOS Port St. Lucie Magazine
/www.pslbotanicalgardens.org
/pslbotanicalgardens.org