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A Century of Wonder, Rooted in Nature
The first, oldest and only award-winning public garden in Vero Beach.
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For the second consecutive year, McKee welcomed The Green Heart Tribe's "Vero in Bloom," the annual Hats in the Garden Luncheon, to its historic landscape. Based in Vero, The Green Heart Tribe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the beauty of the barrier island, with a particular focus on Ocean Drive. Originally formed as a Women's Beautification Committee, the group is committed to elevating public spaces through thoughtful plantings of flowers and trees.
Inspired by community-led beautification efforts in celebrated resort towns across the United States, and notably the Central Park Women's Committee Luncheon, the founders envisioned a signature gathering that would both celebrate and advance Vero's own sense of place.
The result is a sold-out annual tradition that feels perfectly at home at McKee, where the preservation of a historic cultural landscape continues to inspire and inform like-minded initiatives rooted in beauty, stewardship, and community pride.
| | GCA Day Luncheon at McKee | |
Members of the Garden Club of America wintering along the Treasure Coast gathered at McKee Botanical Garden for the 24th Annual GCA Day in support of the Garden. Chaired by McKee Board member Lorill Haynes, the luncheon featured a presentation by James Brayton Hall, President and CEO of The Garden Conservancy, whose talk "250 Years of American Gardens: Preserving, Sharing, and Celebrating," offered an engaging perspective on the stewardship of America's garden heritage.
A seated luncheon followed, inviting guests to connect within McKee's iconic Hall of Giants. Proceeds from the day were directed by the luncheon committee to McKee's Centennial Capital Campaign, Light the Legacy, advancing the Garden's preservation and future growth.
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McKee Botanical Garden was proudly represented at the 24th World Orchid Conference in Dresden, Germany, held March 26 - 29, by Executive Director, Rochelle Wolberg and Orchid Curator, Luis Ortiz. The global gathering drew more than 10,000 registered participants from 56 countries across six continents, with total attendance exceeding 56,000 visitors. A testament to his international standing, Ortiz was invited to serve as a judge, presenting several of the conference's 640 awards.
The conference featured a dynamic program of exhibitions, special events, and in-depth discussions exploring the science, cultivation, and conservation of orchids. McKee's presence on this international stage reflects a clear and strategic commitment to restore its orchid collection to the level of distinction it once held as one of the most celebrated in the world.
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Orchidelirium: From Madness to Mastery
April 16, 17 and 18, 2026
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Step into the captivating world of orchids with Orchidelirium, McKee's immersive masterclass series let by Orchid Curator, Luis Oritz. Designed for enthusiasts of all levels, the three-part series explores the beauty, history, and cultivation of one of the world's most extraordinary plant families, drawing inspiration from McKee's own legacy as a destination for orchid excellence.
Participants will gain practical insight into orchid care, growing techniques, and conservation, while experiencing these remarkable plants up close within the Garden's tropical setting. Registration is required. A limited number of spaces remain.
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The Jungle Experience: A Path to Stillness
April 13 and 23 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
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Reconnect with nature in The Jungle Experience: A Path to Stillness, a guided journey through McKee's tranquil, historic landscape let by Garden guide, Kate Pisacreta. Inspired by the principles of forest bathing, this immersive experience invites guests to slow down, engage the senses, and discover the restorative beauty of the Garden. Participants will be gently guided along shaded pathways and watery vistas, cultivating a sense of calm, clarity, and connection in one of Florida's most enchanting natural settings.
Advance registration is required. Visit McKee's website to learn more and to register. Space is limited.
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Fushu Daiko Drummers
Return for Community Day
By popular demand, the electrifying Fushu Daiko drummers return to McKee on Sunday, April 19, as part of Community Days. Known for their powerful rhythms and dynamic performances, the group brings an energetic cultural dimension to the Garden's tranquil setting.
Their return coincides with FLORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN, McKee's celebrated centennial exhibition of monumental, origami-inspired sculptures, creating a vibrant fusion of art, movement, and nature.
Join us for this special day as the sounds of taiko drums echo through the historic jungle. Performances are planned at 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM
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About Your Garden Publications Editor
It has been my pleasure to serve as the editor behind Garden Monthly and the Garden Bulletin over the last seventeen months. In that time, I've immersed myself in shaping each issue, researching, writing, and sharing the stories that bring you closer to the wonder of our historic jungle garden.
Having grown up beneath this tangled canopy of green, I've taken particular joy in reflecting on both my own history here and the remarkable accomplishments of Team McKee during this improbable moment, when the Centennial of our living collections meets the 25th Anniversary of the Garden's reopening. What began as a personal passion for Waldo Sexton and my great-grandfather, Arthur McKee, has become something far greater, Vero Beach's first and oldest cultural treasure, sustained by a devoted community and by you, our members.
While I have always been an enthusiastic ambassador for McKee, I never expected to apply my professional life so directly to its work. But gardens have a way of calling us back, and this one called to me at just the right moment.
Over these months, I've had the pleasure of supporting Rochelle Wolberg as she embraced McKee's rich history, shaped a bold vision for its future, and built the team that will carry it forward. Now, it is time for me to step aside and allow those plans to unfold.
I return, happily, to my role as ambassador at large, ever devoted, and ever grateful for the care, generosity, and belief you continue to show this extraordinary garden and all who steward its legacy.
Marion McKee Latta de Vogel
Marketing and Development Consultant
| | This Month in Your Garden | |
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FLORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN - through May 24th
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Wonders of McKee Garden Tours - Every Tuesday at 10:30 am
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Children's Garden Programs - Every Thursday and Saturday at 10:30 am
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The Jungle Experience: A Path to Stillness - Monday, April 13 and Thursday, April 23
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Orchidelirium: From Madness to Mastery - Thursday, April 16, Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 check website for times and advance registration\
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Community Days - Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, $5.00 Admission with proof of Indian River County residency
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Fushu Daiko Drummers - Sunday, April 19 with 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM performances
For more information on each of these events, please visit McKeeGarden.org
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