Vero Beach Real Estate Voice

McKee Botanical Gardens, Vero Beach Florida, Water Lilies

Crowds enjoy beauty of water lilies at McKee Botanical Garden

By Janet Begley
Originally published 04:06 p.m., June 20, 2009
Updated 04:06 p.m., June 20, 2009

http://www.tcpalm.com/photos/2009/jun/20/185510/

Photo by Frank Kimmel

Woods White Knight, one of the water lilys blooming during the 5th Annual Water Lily Celebration open to the public Saturday in McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach.

http://www.tcpalm.com/photos/2009/jun/20/185509/

Photo by Frank Kimmel

Most of the more than one-hundred visitors brought cameras to the festival Saturday.

 

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VERO BEACH - Heidi Munger Gustafson may be from a cold area of Michigan but she knows tropical beauty when she sees it.

Gustafson was one of hundreds of visitors who came to the McKee Botanical Garden on Saturday for the fifth annual Water Lily Celebration.

"We have water lilies in Michigan but they're not as majestic as these," said Gustafson, who was in town visiting her dad, Lou Munger, for Father's Day. "This is just a tropical paradise."

McKee volunteer Suzan Phillips was giving tours of the 18-acre water gardens, which are filled with one of largest collection of water lilies in the United States. The garden's 150 lilies - more than 40 different varieties - were on display during the day-long event, both in the ponds as well as containers along the garden's winding paths.

"This is such a special spot," said Phillips, as she pointed out different species to the many amateur photographers who participated in the tour. "We have such a wonderful place right here in Vero Beach and it gives people a sense of pride."

In addition to showcasing the collection, the day was a chance to show people the ease of having a water garden right in their own backyard. Several different demonstrations, including how to repot water lilies to water container gardening tips, were offered throughout the celebration, according to McKee Executive Director Christine Hobart.

"I don't think people know the full extent of how you can use water lilies right in your own garden," Hobart said. "They certainly add a lot of color and interest to any garden and they're so beautiful."

Hobart said that interest in water lilies, and the botanical garden itself, is up recently, with a survey showing visitors from 36 states and five countries.

"We've tracked our visitors this year to see where they're coming from," said Hobart. "It's great to know that so many people are coming to Vero Beach and stopping here to visit this beautiful place."

Jean Hall from Vero Beach said that after visiting McKee, she would like to try her hand at growing water lilies.

"They're different and very attractive," said Hall. "I come to the water lily celebration every year because the setting is so beautiful and gives me a chance to see the flowers in their natural setting. It's quite an enjoyable way to spend the day."

For Gustafson, the chance to escape into a tropical paradise and take some photographs was an ideal way to spend a Saturday morning.

"It gives me a way to share this experience with a lot of other people who might never get a chance to see it."

 

 

About The Author 

Barbara Martino-Sliva, Realtor® at Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc., VERO BEACH FLORIDA is the author of this blog and several other sites on the Internet. She has also been a guest speaker on an on-line radio program dealing with Florida and Vero Beach Real Estate and a columnist for the digital magazine FLORIDAYLIFESTYLEONLINE. Barbara is your Real Estate Connection in the Vero Beach area, and is always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. If you have decided that quality of life in VERO BEACH  is worth seeing, call her anytime at 772-321-4484 or to search for homes visit: www.VeroPremierProperties.com and her Vero Beach Blog: www.VeroBeachRealEstateVoice.com.

Over 90% of all homes are found online. I create a dominating online presence for my clients properties. My Real Estate blog is highly indexed in GOOGLE.

 

 

        "Your Vero Beach Real Estate Connection" 

                                       Vero Beach Realtor Barbara Martino-Sliva, Vero Beach Real Estate

                         BARBARA MARTINO-SLIVA OF DALE SORENSEN REAL ESTATE
                     
                                       Beyond Your Expectations

           Fine Vero Beach Homes in "all price ranges"

 

                   www.VeroPremierProperties.com
                   www.VeroBeachRealEstateVoice.com
                   BARBARA@martino-sliva.com
                         772-321-4484

  
                                                     Follow Me On Facebook   Follow me on Twitter

     Copyright © 2012 and beyond Barbara Martino-Sliva, All Rights Reserved.
              Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.                       

0 comments • Barbara Martino-Sliva, Vero Beach Real Estate, Homes for Sale • June 21 2009 01:56PM

McKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN, Vero Beach Florida, ANNUAL WATER LILY CELEBRATION

 

                                            5TH ANNUAL WATER LILY CELEBRATION

                 

                                       McKee Botanical Garden is gearing up for the annual
 
                                                    "WATER LILY CELEBRATION"

                                    SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009 FROM 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

                    

I just spent a lovely afternoon at McKee Botanical Garden.....it was very relaxing but also
fascinating.  I took so many pictures of all the beautiful water lilies that are all abloom.
McKee Botanical Garden is listed on the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES! 

The WATER LILY CELEBRATION is an event with garden tours, water lily viewing, guest
lectures, demonstrations, and Koi, goldfish, and plant displays and SALES!

                          This is a great event in a spectacular place!   You will love it!

                                                      McKee Botanical Garden
                                           350 US Highway 1, Vero Beach Florida
                                                           772-794-0601
                                                     www.mckeegarden.org

About The Author 

Barbara Martino-Sliva, Realtor® at THORPE/SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY, VERO BEACH FLORIDAis the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Barbara is your Real Estate Connection in the Vero Beach area, and is always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. If you have decided that quality of life in VERO BEACH  is worth seeing, call her anytime at 772-321-4484 or to search for homes visit: www.VeroPremierProperties.com.
 

Copyright © 2009 Barbara Martino-Sliva, All Rights Reserved.

 


                                               

 

 

About The Author 

Barbara Martino-Sliva, Realtor® at Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc., VERO BEACH FLORIDA is the author of this blog and several other sites on the Internet. She has also been a guest speaker on an on-line radio program dealing with Florida and Vero Beach Real Estate and a columnist for the digital magazine FLORIDAYLIFESTYLEONLINE. Barbara is your Real Estate Connection in the Vero Beach area, and is always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. If you have decided that quality of life in VERO BEACH  is worth seeing, call her anytime at 772-321-4484 or to search for homes visit: www.VeroPremierProperties.com and her Vero Beach Blog: www.VeroBeachRealEstateVoice.com.

Over 90% of all homes are found online. I create a dominating online presence for my clients properties. My Real Estate blog is highly indexed in GOOGLE.

 

 

        "Your Vero Beach Real Estate Connection" 

                                       Vero Beach Realtor Barbara Martino-Sliva, Vero Beach Real Estate

                         BARBARA MARTINO-SLIVA OF DALE SORENSEN REAL ESTATE
                     
                                       Beyond Your Expectations

           Fine Vero Beach Homes in "all price ranges"

 

                   www.VeroPremierProperties.com
                   www.VeroBeachRealEstateVoice.com
                   BARBARA@martino-sliva.com
                         772-321-4484

  
                                                     Follow Me On Facebook   Follow me on Twitter

     Copyright © 2012 and beyond Barbara Martino-Sliva, All Rights Reserved.
              Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.                       

0 comments • Barbara Martino-Sliva, Vero Beach Real Estate, Homes for Sale • June 08 2009 10:46AM