Boktoberfest

   Bok Tower Gardens is a botanical garden and bird sanctuary, located in Lake Wales,Central Florida. It consists of a 250 acre garden,a 205-foot Singing Tower with its carillon bells, and a visitor center. The tower is built upon Iron Mountain, a high point in Florida at 295 feet above sea level. It is a National Historic Landmark.

   In 1921, Dutch immigrant Edward  Bok, editor of the Ladys Home Journal, and his wife were spending winters in the Lake Wales area and decided to create a bird sanctuary on its highest hill. Bok commissioned noted landscape architect Frederick L. Olmsted, Jr. to transform what was then the sand hill into an amazing garden. The first year was spent digging trenches and laying pipes for irrigation. After which,soil was brought to the site by the truck loads and the plantings began. The plan included the planting of 1,000 large live oaks, 10,000 azaleas,100 Sabal palms,300 magnolias, and 500 gordonias (camelias etc,), as well as hundreds of shrubs including blueberry and holly. And currently includes perennials,orchids and bromiliads and many other tropicals.  And annually they hold an event called Boktoberfest.
There is the  plant sale with vendors and wholesalers from all over the region. And that makes me happy!

ooohhhhlala!

 DH wanted this one, too "dangerous"

Wercklea ferox~~Spiny Hibiscus

My heart skipped because I am entranced by ferns I've never seen!!! Does anybody hyperventilate like me??

  With the temperatures at an ideal level,  the shopping commenced. Then, our plants safely in the holding area, we toured the garden and listened to the bells!  A great day for this gardener!

Three colors of peppers on this bush!

           

   The Singing Tower is the centerpiece of the gardens. The tower was built  south of the reflection pool that allows the water to reflect its full image. A 60-bell carillon is set within the 205-foot tall, Gothic Revival/Art Deco tower that includes sculptures set in its sides.  It is built of pink and gray marble, and Florida  coquina stone, from Daytona Beach. The tower is surrounded  moat /Koi pond. The tower's interior contains largest carillon library in the world. Inside the bell chamber is a playing room that houses a clavier, or keyboard, that is used for playing the  bells. Recitals are given daily.

These beauties cam home with me