The Gardens
Thanks to the dedication of our horticulture and conservation staff, the gardens and grounds continued to thrive, earning Bok Tower Gardens the prestigious 2011 Award for Garden Excellence by Horticulture Magazine.
Horticulture
We had a mild winter with only a few freezing days in December contributing to a robust spring bloom. Our Tillandsia display in the Visitor Center was augmented with new and exotic varieties, and the hanging plant “wall” bloomed again as the plants doubled in size. We also introduced a greater variety of water plantings this past summer, including a spectacular display of five-foot Victoria water lilies.
Garden Projects
Irrigation is central to our well-being and one requiring constant diligence to maintain. One of our two primary well pumps had to be pulled this year and is in the process of being refurbished. A high-wind storm that swept through the Gardens in March caused light damage to the greenhouse and the Visitor Center’s River of Stone, reminding us of the capriciousness of Florida weather. The horticulture staff made good headway on clearing, re-planting and lawn maintenance throughout the Gardens.
Preserve Lands
A hot, dry summer contributed to a one-acre wildfire on the Preserve during a scheduled clearing of the adjacent groves due to citrus greening. Other Preserve lands were abuzz with activity. A gift of pebble rock from Mosaic helped us lay a new trail along our entrance road through the Florida Community Trust lands. The longleaf pine restoration continued with another nine acres planted in December. And thanks to more than 90 volunteers, Ridge Rangers and RSS Field Services crew who braved two weeks of August heat, our Conservation team was able to plant 33,000 grasses and wildflowers on the Pine Ridge Preserve to complete a sandhill restoration project.
Tower & Carillon
An August storm damaged one of the herons atop the Singing Tower but fortunately the damage was minor and is slated for repair in summer of 2012. As part of this repair we will make improvements to the Tower lightning protection to help mitigate future damage. After completing Phase IV of tile grille restoration work, we paused to assess the work done to date while developing next steps for Phase V.
