April 15-19, 2024
Green Gazebo Renovation Project – Week 5
This week: 6 x 6 cedar posts set, the counter wall was built, Durorock sheathing to receive exterior stucco was installed, and shed posts were set. Big difference from last week! It’s getting very exciting!
April 1-12, 2024
Green Gazebo Renovation Project – Week 4-5
This week, the forms were stripped, material was delivered, and posts and sill were set.
March 25-29, 2024
Green Gazebo Renovation Project – Week 3
This week, the Foundation was poured, the site tidied up and some materials were delivered. On Monday, the forms will be stripped and framing will begin. 
April 1-5, 2024
Green Gazebo Renovation Project – Week 2
This week, the forms were set and leveled, the footings dug, the center drain piping laid, the dry-well prepared, and the electric conduit laid below-grade to the shed and then to the gazebo. Phew!! Moving on!
March 19-21, 2024
Green Gazebo Renovation Project
The old green courtyard gazebo was deconstructed and removed and the footprint of the ficus folly and her shed was sited.
March 15, 2024
Green Gazebo Renovation Project
It is finally time for our well-worn but much-loved Green Gazebo to be reborn as the Ficus Folly Courtyard Gazebo. In architecture, a folly is a ‘building constructed primarily for decoration, but suggesting through its appearance some other purpose, or of such extravagant appearance that it transcends the range of usual garden buildings’. This new construction will be far from ordinary: nestled among two majestic ficus trees, our Ficus Folly Courtyard Gazebo will feel right at home. Designed by architect/member Nell Smets, it will shine in its period-appropriate design yet modern efficiency. Today, volunteers completed the final steps to make the area ready for construction to commence. The Garden will be closed on Monday, March 18 for the contractor to set up, and on Tuesday we will say goodbye to the Green Gazebo as it is deconstructed. For your memories, here she is, ready for what comes:
February 13, 2024
Our Vanda Orchid Arbor Renovation
The lovely Vanda Orchid Arbor is complete! It is lovely and already much admired by our guests and members.
April 28, 2022
Our Green Gazebo Renovation Project
Stationed in the Central Courtyard area, the Green Gazebo is a hard-working structure that needs a little attention to be a focal point of the Garden. We are embarking on a Capital Campaign to make this possible; hopefully, this summer during our slower season. Please consider giving to this worthwhile cause. Click the picture link below to donate, with our thanks.
April 26, 2022
Our Beautiful New Entrance Sign
As part of our project to make the Garden more attractive to our visitors and increase safety and information-sharing, we are planning new signage throughout the Garden. The first installment is the new sign in front of the entrance. Isn’t it lovely?
Photo by Lynne Bentley-Kemp
July 22, 2021
Rebirth of the Citadel Area
Now that the stonemasons have finished around the citadel we are enjoying the rebirth of that area. The orchids and taro plants are loving the attention.
Photos by Lynne Bentley-Kemp
July 12, 2021
Finished Arch and Citadel Officially Complete
The arch and citadel renovations have finished and we are so pleased with the results. The arch is a bit higher and now I don’t have to duck when I walk through it. It’s fine for someone 5’6”, but any taller and you will have to duck. The first group of photos was made inside the citadel.
Photos by Lynne Bentley-Kemp
July 5, 2021
Finished Arch and Citadel
Here is the finished arch and the citadel behind it. It used to be part of a tunnel that led into the citadel.
Photos by Lynne Bentley-Kemp
June 28, 2021
The Arch is in!
The arch is in and it is getting ready for its reveal. The workmanship is exquisite and true to the time period.
Photo by Lynne Bentley-Kemp
June 21, 2021
Forming and Rebuilding the Brick Arch
Here is a progress report on the brick renovations at the fort. The first pictures are from last week when the arch area was being cleaned up to prepare for the reconstruction. Today the arch was being rebuilt. A wooden form was made after the the sides of the arch had been rebuilt and the bricks were slowly and carefully being placed – you can see how long the arch is going to be by the length of the form. The craftsmanship is impressive.
Photo by Lynne Bentley-Kemp
June 20, 2021
Plants for Sale Every Monday
Stop by and see what’s growing! The Garden Club maintains a professional-level propagation area where we grow ornamental and native shrubs and trees for the garden and for the community. Stop by the Garden at 1100 Atlantic Blvd. Mondays from 9:30am to 11:30am. Experts will be available to assist with any questions. More info: 305-294-3210.
June 18, 2021
Juneteenth Recognition
In recognition of Juneteenth, the Key West Garden Club would like all friends and members to know that we join in commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people with dignity and love. Our proximity to the African Cemetery and the gift of Shona sculpture in our garden will make the West Martello a place of reflection on this national day of celebrating justice, equality, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Photo property of Lynne Bentley-Kemp
June 15, 2021
New Instagram Account
Key West Garden Club announces its new Instagram account. Follow us on keywestgardenclub – keep up to date with what’s gorgeous at our oceanside paradise!
Photo property of Lynne Bentley-Kemp
May 17, 2021
Scholarship Awarded
The Key West Garden Club (KWGC) awards the Lois Kitching Scholarship to an individual interested in pursuing a career that reflects the interests of the Club’s membership. A grant of $2000 per year for four years is given to a qualified applicant. Our new recipient, Marsella Munoz, will be graduating this year from Key West High School and will be attending Florida State University with a major in biological sciences. Marsella has been very active with coral reef restoration and other environmental issues and is an amazing young woman.
Photo property of Lynne Bentley-Kemp
May 10, 2021
Arch Restoration Work Begins
Masonry work has begun on the restoration of the arch that was destroyed when Hurricane Irma toppled our giant ficus. The Citadel restoration is progressing quickly as well as the outer walls.
Photos property of Lynne Bentley-Kemp
March – May, 2021
School Children Visit the Garden
Part 1
March 10, 2021 – Key West Martello Tower Adventure part one. Join us as we explore the Key West Martello Tower and Botanical Gardens. In this episode we will explore the tower and learn about orchids! This Is Living in the Florida Keys!
Part 2
April 22, 2021 – Join us for Part 2 of our tour of the Key West Martello Tower and Botanical Gardens. Come along with us as we explore more of the fort and all the beautiful plants within. Some adventures are educational AND fun!
Part 3
April 30, 2021 – Here is part 3 of our tour of The West Martello Tower and Botanical Gardens. In this video we will explore more of the grounds and the Butterfly Garden. Rosi and Mary educate us more about the local plants and how they cohabitate with beautiful butterflies. Florida Keys Livin’ with a little education.
Part 4
May 12, 2021 – Here we continue our tour of The West Martello Tower and Botanical Gardens. Watch as we make our way around the huge tree to the Poecilla pond. Then we make our way to Rhea’s favorite part, The Dinosaur Garden where Mary tells us more about the plants and their history. Last we stop for a photo of the beautiful fountain. Join our adventure of Florida Keys Living.
February 8, 2021
Shona Sculpture Installation
There was a lot going on at the garden club today. Craig Berube Gray http://www.crgray.com/ came to install a pedestal at the labyrinth and attach stabilizing bases to the donated Shona sculptures. The volunteers were out in force and Rahn was asked to help with the installation. Jeff Ware was on hand to help with the physics and the mission was accomplished. It takes a village.
Top-left and bottom-left photos property of Victor McTeer
Top-right and bottom-right photos property of Lynne Bentley-Kemp
September 12, 2020
Labyrinth is Finished!
Our Monday Volunteers helped clear the entire area; A member funded the design and bricks. Jeff Ware did the sterling work of laying out the bricks, securing them in place and then covering them in masking tape before the Flexi-paving was installed this week! The Flexi-pave team installed the flexi-paving in one day!! And it looks magnificent! We can’t wait to share it with our visitors!
