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Lake Wales: Tranquil gardens
(PHOTO COURTESY VISIT FLORIDA)Lake Wales: Hurricane brings light into Historic Bok Sanctuary
After a violent, indiscriminant pruning of trees by Hurricane Charley in 2004, this tranquil hilltop garden entered a light-filled era. Sunshine reigns in places where shade had held court for years, and horticulturist David Price has taken full advantage of the change.
Any time is a good time to visit, because the garden is planted year-round for color, Price says. And you don't need a special occasion. "It's just a nice place to come to bring somebody to have a conversation." Afternoons are his favorite time here, when songbirds flit home and hawks and owls are on the wing. "From 4 to 6 p.m., the garden is really magic."
Paths weave through shrubs and trees, around a reflecting pond and up a gentle hill to the garden's famous carillon tower, which rings its bells in short concerts several times a day. Along the walkways are plantings of about 100 types of annuals.
Basking in the sun is prolific verbena; giant walking iris, with its showy lavender blossoms; and lots of butterfly-attracting pentas. Annuals include snapdragons, violas, dianthus, salvias, statis and delphiniums. Hollyhocks, with their bursts of vibrant flowers, will be out in force in the next several weeks, while azaleas and camellias finish up blooms extended by the mild winter, Price says. You'll find color in the shade, too, where gardeners have planted begonias and impatiens, including a new yellow-flowering variety being tested.
-- Lisa Roberts, Orlando Sentinel
FYI: Historic Bok Sanctuary is off County Road 17A in Lake Wales. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; admission is $10 adults, $3 children ages 5-12; younger than 5 are free; admission is 50 percent off from 8-9 a.m. Saturdays. Project Bandaloop, a troupe of aerial dancers from California, will perform over the garden at 8 p.m. today. Seating is limited, and tickets are $25. Details: 863-676-1408;
On the web, go to www.boksanctuary.com
After a violent, indiscriminant pruning of trees by Hurricane Charley in 2004, this tranquil hilltop garden entered a light-filled era. Sunshine reigns in places where shade had held court for years, and horticulturist David Price has taken full advantage of the change.
Any time is a good time to visit, because the garden is planted year-round for color, Price says. And you don't need a special occasion. "It's just a nice place to come to bring somebody to have a conversation." Afternoons are his favorite time here, when songbirds flit home and hawks and owls are on the wing. "From 4 to 6 p.m., the garden is really magic."
Paths weave through shrubs and trees, around a reflecting pond and up a gentle hill to the garden's famous carillon tower, which rings its bells in short concerts several times a day. Along the walkways are plantings of about 100 types of annuals.
Basking in the sun is prolific verbena; giant walking iris, with its showy lavender blossoms; and lots of butterfly-attracting pentas. Annuals include snapdragons, violas, dianthus, salvias, statis and delphiniums. Hollyhocks, with their bursts of vibrant flowers, will be out in force in the next several weeks, while azaleas and camellias finish up blooms extended by the mild winter, Price says. You'll find color in the shade, too, where gardeners have planted begonias and impatiens, including a new yellow-flowering variety being tested.
-- Lisa Roberts, Orlando Sentinel
FYI: Historic Bok Sanctuary is off County Road 17A in Lake Wales. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; admission is $10 adults, $3 children ages 5-12; younger than 5 are free; admission is 50 percent off from 8-9 a.m. Saturdays. Project Bandaloop, a troupe of aerial dancers from California, will perform over the garden at 8 p.m. today. Seating is limited, and tickets are $25. Details: 863-676-1408;
On the web, go to www.boksanctuary.com
