Backlit blossoms and butterflies are abundant in the Garden of Lights.
pond. Heathcote also boasts the largest public tropical bonsai collection in the United States, with 100 bonsai specimens donated by the late world class Bonsai Master James J. Smith. On Garden of Lights evenings, Heathcote's gates open at 5:30 p.m. If you arrive then, you can potentially view all the specialty areas just before dark. Judy Salmon and her late husband, Tom Salmon, were two of the original eight volunteer illuminators who brought Heathcote's Garden of Lights tradition to life. After attending a 2014 botanical event decorated with a few strands of Christmas lights, Tom championed a more expansive holiday concept for Heathcote. Inspired by his own imagination, Tomdove into research, consulted botanical light show experts, and proposed a treasure trove of ideas to Heathcote's Board of Trustees. Thanks to Tom's energetic vision, the introductory year for Garden of Lights followed in 2015. According to Judy, the annual lights project has always required plenty of creative brainstorming plus many hours of challenging physical labor."We have our first meetings in February and March, followed by work sessions through the summer. We begin wrapping trees in September before getting serious about setting up
The Sunshine State's iconic pink flamingos are well represented at the Garden of Lights.
HEATHCOTE BOTANICAL GARDENS Story and photos by Paula Loehr
You might recognize "Let your light shine!" as the affirming opening line of a familiar Bible verse. Those same four encouraging words are likewise spoken by parents, teachers, and coaches as they aim to inspire youngsters to become their best selves. Every winter season, Heathcote Botanical Gardens presents its annual Garden of Lights, a bright and beautiful light shining event that salutes the cluster of American holidays celebrated between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Located halfway down Florida's east coast in the relaxed seaside town of Fort Pierce, Heathcote's first garden was established in 1960 as a privately owned plant nursery. Incorporated as a non-profit in 1985, the gardens were purchased and preserved for public use in 1986. Individual areas of the property are dedicated to the world's rainforests, butterflies, Japanese and native species, herbs, palm trees, and a reflective circular
HEATHCOTE BOTANICAL GARDENS
COAST TO COAST FALL MAGAZINE 2021
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