Introduction
KAREN BEARD IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BONNET HOUSE, thus is
in charge of protecting the flora and fauna on the property. Karen
talks about the eco system here, then and now. The dunes naturally
occur to provide a certain amount of protection for the interior of the
property. The beach, then dunes, which make up the primary dune, gently
slope up to the coastal hammock and all help protect the property from
the ocean, the salt spray and the wind. Of course, elsewhere that has
all changed since they graded the road for the highway. At the beach
one sees sea oats and things like that but moving towards the hammock
one starts to see plants like sea grapes, some larger trees as well as
some understory plants.
Click here for more info
Intercoastal
ONCE AT THE TOP ONE CAN SEE THE OTHER SIDE AND THE INTERCOASTAL.
This is the only property that is bound by the beach or ocean on one
side and the intercoastal on the other side. And there is a small beach
on the intercoastal. In fact, the beach on the intercoastal side of
this property is the only remaining natural beach on the intercoastal
waterway in Ft. Lauderdale. The intercoastal is part of a naturally
occurring fresh water system. This was the new river sound. It has been
widened and dredged down but the Bartletts in their day entered the
property from the intercoastal. It has always existed as a barrier
between the Barrier Islands and the mainland. The plants growing here
are different from the ocean side. There are many things that only grow
on this side of the property. The most important is the Mangrove, which
is a protected tree. And there are 3 types of Mangrove.
Click here for more info
Courtyard
WE NOW LOOK AT THE COURTYARD AREA of the house which is in the middle
of the property. It feels like it could be in any tropical part of the
world. The courtyard was very important to the design on the main house
which is a plantation style home. Every room opens onto the courtyard,
thus it was the central focal point. Mr. Bartlett designed it that way
and it provides even more protection from the beach and other areas of
the property. It provided the Bartlett's a very serene space. The
courtyard has a lot of green plants, which are a nice contrast to the
colors Bartlett painted the house and the beautiful artwork that covers
the walls. There are a number of tropical plants that grow here all
year round.
Click here for more info
Experimental Grove
HERE THERE IS AN EXPERIMENTAL GROVE which was begun by Hugh Taylor
Birch. He brought in many plants from around the world, in an attempt
at finding things that would grow in south Florida. The Mangifera
indica Mango tree was one he planted. These are very old trees and were
planted on the ridge because of its high elevation and because this
area had good drainage. It turns out that Mangoes grow well in Florida.
Click here for more info
Orchids
MRS. BARTLETT HAD ANOTHER FAVORITE AND THOSE WERE HER ORCHIDS. We look
at some in one of her greenhouses. It is part of a small building that
was built in 1938 so she could showcase the Orchids that she had in
bloom. The building also was an area to showcase her shells, because
she was also a collector of shells. It also has a small bamboo bar
where her guests would enjoy their Rangpur Lime cocktail. This
greenhouse has a number of varieties of Orchids. The Vanda are large
plants that want to grow in open boxes and things of that nature or in
trees. They have beautiful colored blooms and there are many varieties
and sizes. The Dendrobiums are generally grown in pots and need quite a
bit of shade.
Click here for more info
Take Away
TODAY ORCHIDS CAN BE FOR EVERYONE. Although most of us can't grow
Mangoes or Avocados or some of the other plants we're looked at, most
everyone can grow or enjoy Orchids. Today they're readily available and
there are thousands of species and it's believed there are thousands
that have yet to be been discovered. Considering the way they're
propagated today and the many places they're sold there is no reason we
all shouldn't be growing Orchids.
Click here for more info
LINKS:
Bonnet House
Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six
Garden Smart Plant List
Complete transcript of the show.
712. Bonnet House
We all love to vacation at the beach. The house we visit today has
gardens from the ocean to the intercoastal. The lessons in between are
invaluable. A1A is a busy thoroughfare that goes right through Ft.
Lauderdale. On one side there are miles and miles of beach, the other
side is lined with condos, high-rises and restaurants. That is, until
one comes up to 700 feet of wilderness.
What is behind all those trees? Linda Schaller, Director of Education
and Volunteer Programs for the Bonnet House clues us in. It all started
in 1893 when a man named Hugh Taylor Birch decided he wanted to get
away from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. He came as far south as he
could on Flagler's railroad, which at that point came about midway
through the state of Florida. He then rented a boat and came to what is
now called Ft. Lauderdale. He found that the further south he came the
happier he was because fewer and fewer people were living here. He
purchased 3 miles of oceanfront property in 1893 for under a dollar an
acre. At one time this was a barrier island. Birch's daughter married
an artist, named Fredrick Clay Bartlett who had grown up in Chicago. As
as wedding gift they were given 35 acres to build a rustic winter beach
house, which is today fondly called Bonnet House. Bartlett and his
wife only stayed here several months out of the year. This today is the
last of the preserved beachfront property. It has been in private hands
since 1893, thus features many native plants that aren't seen
elsewhere. They don't grow well in condos.
KAREN BEARD IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BONNET HOUSE, thus is
in charge of protecting the flora and fauna on the property. Karen
talks about the eco system here, then and now. The dunes naturally
occur to provide a certain amount of protection for the interior of the
property. The beach, then dunes, which make up the primary dune, gently
slope up to the coastal hammock and all help protect the property from
the ocean, the salt spray and the wind. Of course, elsewhere that has
all changed since they graded the road for the highway. At the beach
one sees sea oats and things like that but moving towards the hammock
one starts to see plants like sea grapes, some larger trees as well as
some understory plants. Barely 100 feet from the previous point which
was close to the beach it feels like one has been transported miles
away. This is the area between the primary dune and the secondary dune.
In this area there is a naturally occurring fresh water slough. The
slough has no inlet and no outlet. These sloughs were once connected
and comprised 9 miles of lake system but have essentially been filled
in because of development. The sloughs are an important element on the
property. They contain naturally occurring ground water and provide a
source of fresh water for the wildlife that lives here. It is know that
in early times ships would anchor offshore and send people in to
collect this fresh water. This water is tested today and amazingly it
is pure, fresh water because it is filtered down through the limestone
of the dunes. It's an important feature on the property and helps
protect the wildlife.
There are plants growing in the sloughs or lagoons. Nuphar capensis
Spadderdock a common lily grows in fresh water here in Florida and is
actually the genesis of the name Bonnet House. When these fresh water
sloughs connected with other fresh water bodies there were alligators
in them. The story goes that an alligator came up under one of the
Lilies that was in bloom and it looked like a bonnet, hence it has been
called Bonnet House. There are Roystonea elataa, Royal palm growing
along the bank. This is where one starts to see the landscape
architecture at work. The Bartletts wanted to enhance the fresh water
sloughs, thus had the Royal Palms planted along the slough.
Top
Intercoastal
Many people have an impression of Florida as being tabletop flat.
That's actually not the case. It has slight elevation and the elevation
is very significant to the area. Joe and Karen are actually walking up
the secondary dune which is where the main house was built. They built
it there because it is 14 feet above sea level. In addition to
providing a safe place for their home it also gave them the opportunity
to plant other trees and plants that would not grow in the coastal
hammock. The secondary dune provides another layer of protection
against the wind, salt and spray. ONCE AT THE TOP ONE CAN SEE THE OTHER
SIDE AND THE INTERCOASTAL. This is the only property that is bound by
the beach or ocean on one side and the intercoastal on the other side.
And there is a small beach on the intercoastal. In fact, the beach on
the intercoastal side of this property is the only remaining natural
beach on the intercoastal waterway in Ft. Lauderdale. The intercoastal
is part of a naturally occurring fresh water system. This was the new
river sound. It has been widened and dredged down but the Bartletts in
their day entered the property from the intercoastal. It has always
existed as a barrier between the Barrier Islands and the mainland. The
plants growing here are different from the ocean side. There are many
things that only grow on this side of the property. The most important
is the Mangrove, which is a protected tree. And there are 3 types of
Mangrove. One is the Rhizophora mangle 'Red Mangrove' which sends down
long aerial fingers or roots into the edge of the landmass. Behind them
are the Laguncularia racemosa 'White Mangrove' which has a whiter leaf.
The Avicennia germinans 'Black Mangrove' has a fuzzy back on its leaf.
All 3 provide protection not only for the island that's here but also
attract more landmass because the sediment and vegetation fills in
underneath. They're also the nursery for all the sport fish in the
area. Thus all the sport fish one catches in the area, started their
lives in the Mangroves. Mangroves are also valuable in a storm. If one
gets caught in a storm and the seas get rough, tie up in the Mangroves.
They're solid, they're not going anywhere.
Top
Courtyard
We have looked from the ocean to the intercoastal, WE NOW LOOK AT THE
COURTYARD AREA of the house which is in the middle of the property. It
feels like it could be in any tropical part of the world. The courtyard
was very important to the design on the main house which is a
plantation style home. Every room opens onto the courtyard, thus it was
the central focal point. Mr. Bartlett designed it that way and it
provides even more protection from the beach and other areas of the
property. It provided the Bartlett's a very serene space. The courtyard
has a lot of green plants, which are a nice contrast to the colors
Bartlett painted the house and the beautiful artwork that covers the
walls. There are a number of tropical plants that grow here all year
round. In many other areas of the country these would be considered an
annual or houseplant. The Gardenia augusta is a favorite plant around
the country. It's incredibly fragrant and most likely why it was placed
in the center of the courtyard because the fragrance circulates around
the outdoor room. Today they are available in varieties that grow
easily in containers. They're prolific bloomers. Another plant is the
Pachystachys lutea 'Shrimp plant.' These flowers are yellow but there
is also a red variety. The flowers look like shrimp, they grow year
round here and provide a nice contrast with the green leaves. The
artwork on the walls provides a tremendous contrast to the plants. They
also have some stunning hardscape elements mixed in. There is an aviary
and a wonderful fountain which not is only beautiful but sounds great.
It is truly a paradise within these walls. The Bartlett's dined in the
courtyard frequently, this is where they normally had their breakfast
and lunch. There were Damasol Cranes that would wander the courtyard
and they would feed them tidbits from their meal. The Jatropha
integerrima Peregrina tree was planted as an attractor for butterflies
and hummingbirds. It was very pleasant to have a meal, watch the
wildlife and enjoy the plants.
Bartlett also framed the opening with red glowers which is a great
contrast to what he's done with the colors of the house - the yellow
awning, the pink trim, blue accents, the reds look great against all of
them. He has also limbed up the Jatropha trees adding to the framing.
They are architecturally stunning, plus they attract butterflies.
Everything is a great looking, the area is most inviting.
Acalypha hispida Chenille Plant is primarily a houseplant. There is a
larger bush that has larger Chanelles but this is planted in a pot and
provides a great contrast with the green Loriapy planted underneath.
Both do well in this protected courtyard area. It's simple and in one
container. The Chenille could be planted in the container by itself but
the Loriapy provides a great contrast. They have similar containers
with the same plants located on each quarter as one moves through the
courtyard in a circular pattern. Positioned in this manner they seem to
mark the entry and exit points. It's very simple, but does a nice job
of breaking up and punctuating the area. Codiaeum variegatum var.
pictum Croton grows well in south Florida year round. It provides a lot
of nice color without a flower. There are many varieties of Crotons and
they have all sorts of colorings. Crotons provide a real focal point
and draw the eye, because of its color. There are many varieties of
this plant today and it is readily available around the country. It
does need very warm temperatures in order to survive so if you're not
in a warm area it's a great houseplant. Keep it protected, if not in
the south.
Zamia furfuracea Cardboard Cycad are interesting plants and great at
framing the entryway or walkway. It's not a groundcover, it's not a
tall tree but it's a nice height around a walkway. They feel like thin
pieces of cardboard. They're an ancient plant, a member of the Cycad
family and are perfect in areas where one has less rainfall. Thus it's
a great xeriscape plant. It has a nice shape and frames things well.
Clerodendrum quadriloculare Starburst Shrub is a great looking plant.
The upper side of the leaf is green, the underside is purple. It's a
beautiful plant even when it's not in bloom. it blooms in the
wintertime and is very easy to grow in this area. It needs full sun in
order to bloom but it makes a nice color statement and a nice contrast
to the rest of the landscape. It has nice height to it and can be
underplanted. It's a member of the Caladium family.
Top
Experimental Grove
Joe and Karen move outside the courtyard and down the secondary dune
towards the intercoastal. HERE THERE IS AN EXPERIMENTAL GROVE which was
begun by Hugh Taylor Birch. He brought in many plants from around the
world, in an attempt at finding things that would grow in south
Florida. The Mangifera indica Mango tree was one he planted. These are
very old trees and were planted on the ridge because of its high
elevation and because this area had good drainage. It turns out that
Mangoes grow well in Florida. The Mango industry can probably thank
Hugh Taylor Birch for getting Mangos started in south Florida.
Manilkara zapota Sapadillo is a native to the West Indies and is
another of the trees Birch planted in his experimental grove. It looks
like a Pear or Kiwi, is about the same size, but the fruit tastes like
a pear with brown sugar. It is a very important crop in the islands and
grows well here.
Persea americana Avocado tree is another example. These have had some
storm damage but are making a nice recovery. They're normally 30 feet
tall and 30 feet wide. Avocados grown in south Florida are much larger
than the ones with brown skin grown in California. These will grow up
to 2 or 3 times as large. And they have firmer flesh thus many prefer
the Florida Avocado.
Citrus X limonia Osbeck Rangpur Lime is another experimental tree
planted here. It's from India. The fruit looks like a Tangerine or
Orange and Mrs. Bartlett loved this fruit. She would make her signature
cocktail, a Rangpur Lime cocktail with these limes. It's become popular
today, the flavor is being used in a lot of distilled spirits.
Top
Orchids
MRS. BARTLETT HAD ANOTHER FAVORITE AND THOSE WERE HER ORCHIDS. We look
at some in one of her greenhouses. It is part of a small building that
was built in 1938 so she could showcase the Orchids that she had in
bloom. The building also was an area to showcase her shells, because
she was also a collector of shells. It also has a small bamboo bar
where her guests would enjoy their Rangpur Lime cocktail. This
greenhouse has a number of varieties of Orchids. The Vanda are large
plants that want to grow in open boxes and things of that nature or in
trees. They have beautiful colored blooms and there are many varieties
and sizes. The Dendrobiums are generally grown in pots and need quite a
bit of shade. Oncidiums, one is called Sugar Baby, has a wonderful
fragrance and comes in a number of colors. Another, Oncidium is a very
old Orchid. One is probably close to 100 years old. Cattleya is the
common corsage Orchid and beautiful. In her day Mrs. Bartlett would
have gone to an Orchid specialist, someone who specialized in selling
Orchids, to purchase these types of Orchids. She would buy small
plants, put them in her greenhouses and wait for them to come into
bloom. Today at Bonnet House they have almost 1,200 Orchids located in
3 other greenhouses. It was her passion to grow orchids and they carry
that tradition on today.
Top
Take Away
TODAY ORCHIDS CAN BE FOR EVERYONE. Although most of us can't grow
Mangoes or Avocados or some of the other plants we're looked at, most
everyone can grow or enjoy Orchids. Today they're readily available and
there are thousands of species and it's believed there are thousands
that have yet to be been discovered. Considering the way they're
propagated today and the many places they're sold there is no reason we
all shouldn't be growing Orchids. Karen had a fear of growing Orchids,
thinking they were difficult to grow. She received several Orchids as
gifts, when they stopped blooming she didn't want to throw them away so
put them on the side of her house and forgot about them for months. One
day she went outside to that part of her yard and they were blooming.
She thought that if anything can survive neglect and is anxious to live
they can't be that hard to grow. That's how she became interested in
Orchids. The Phalaenopsis is a very easy Orchid to grow. It's readily
available all around the country. They can be grown indoors or
outdoors. It has a great bloom, many are quite large and the blooms
last 6 to 8 weeks minimally. They can be trimmed and they'll actually
bloom again. Thus the little plant can be in bloom much of the year.
They thrive in semi shade and can be grown indoors as long as they get
some light. Water them once a week, they're easy. It's harder to grow
African Violets than an Orchid. Even if the Orchids were to bloom only
for 6 to 8 weeks compared to cut flowers where one might spend say, $20
and they last 2 or 3 weeks at the most, it's still a bargain. Here one
spends less than that and gets a minimum of 6 weeks of bloom. And, if
taken care of Orchids will most likely bloom longer and they will come
back. Orchids really are for everybody.
Joe thanks Karen. We've throughly enjoyed Bonnet House. The ecological
lessons, the gardening lessons, are one of a kind. The house is
beautiful and everyone on the team wants to live here. We visit some
wonderful locations and gardens but this is truly special. Thanks
Karen, we hope many in our audience will have the opportunity to visit.
Top
LINKS:
Bonnet House
Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six
Garden Smart Plant List
