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A Century of Wonder, Rooted in Nature
The first, oldest and only award-winning public garden in Vero Beach.
| | John J. Schumann Jr. Honored for Distinguished Service to McKee | |
Following his retirement after four decades leading his family's publishing business, The Vero Beach Press Journal, John became one of McKee Botanical Garden's most devoted advocates. Upon joining the Board of Directors, he proposed that the Garden host a car show and then took on the responsibility of creating it. For fifteen years, he chaired the Motor Car Exhibition Committee, building it into McKee's largest one-day annual event and one of the region's most anticipated automotive showcases.
John's commitment extended far beyond that signature event. He championed McKee's exhibitions, the Children's Garden, and the Garden's Endowment, serving on numerous committees and joining McKee's Legacy Society. In a remarkable gesture of foresight and generosity, he purchased and gifted the Garden's north parking lot, an enduring contribution that continues to welcome every visitor who enters the Garden's gates.
Throughout Vero Beach, John and Kathi's generosity is legendary. Cultural institutions across the community bear their names, reflecting a lifetime of philanthropy that has strengthened the organizations defining this town.
At McKee, we owe much of our progress, and much of our recorded history, to John. In recognition of his extraordinary service, he was named McKee's first Director Emeritus. No finer individual could represent the dedication, vision, and generosity that have shaped both the Garden and this community.
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Modern Day Plant Explorers
Visit Renowned Florida Growers
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What does a field trip for some of Florida's top gardeners look like? Summer Vaughan, McKee's Display Gardener, Craig Morell, former Director of Horticulture at The Kampong in Miami, and Johanna Kitson, former Garden Curator of the Four Arts Garden in Palm Beach, recently traveled to Homestead, FL, in search of the unusual and the exotic. With an ambitious one-day itinerary, their goal was to visit as many of South Florida's leading growers as possible, strengthening relationships while seeking rare and exceptional plants for McKee's collection.
Along the way, these plant curators compared notes, exchanged ideas, and celebrated the unique world they share, one in which dedicated growers still travel the globe in search of the extraordinary for the education and enjoyment of garden visitors. These essential excursions not only support the Florida growers whose expertise we rely upon; they also continue the legacy established by McKee's founders: enhancing the Garden's living collections with rare and exotic specimens while expanding the knowledge, networks, and enthusiasm of McKee's horticultural team.
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Rochelle Wolberg, Executive Director of McKee, and McKee Board Director, Katie Heins, former President of the Garden Club of America, will welcome Paul Redman, President and CEO of Longwood Gardens, to McKee on Monday, March 9, for a private tour, conversation and lunch. Redman joined Longwood Gardens in 2006, turning the 1,100-acre garden into the most visited public garden in the United States, welcoming 1.6 million visitors annually with more than 80,000 household memberships. Redman also led the development of a visionary 40-year Master Plan that positions Longwood as a premier horticultural and educational institution dedicated to bringing joy to all people through the beauty of nature.
James Brayton Hall, President and CEO of The Garden Conservancy, is the featured speaker at the by invitation 24th Annual GCA Day Luncheon at McKee, March 12. In his presentation, 250 Years of American Gardens, Hall will trace the evolution of gardens in the United States, from early colonial landscapes and estate gardens to the modern public gardens that serve as vital centers of horticulture, conservation, and education. His remarks will highlight the important role gardens play in preserving cultural heritage while inspiring new generations to value the beauty and stewardship of the natural world.
On February 27, McKee welcomed passionate gardener Katie Ridder for a tour and lunch. A Board Director of The Garden Conservancy, Ridder is a prominent New York City-based interior designer celebrated for her bold use of color, intricate patterns, and layered, sophisticated, often whimsical, design style. A former editor at House & Garden and House Beautiful, she later established her own design firm and a successful line of fabrics and wallpapers.
| | Gatekeepers Visit the Palm Beaches
In a highly anticipated, and now annual tradition, 24 Gatekeepers traveled with Rochelle Wolberg, Amy Shoemaker and Luis Ortiz to Palm Beach on March 4 for a day of curated cultural discovery. Planned around the always imaginative Kips Bay Decorator Show House, the group began with a visit to the celebrated design showcase, followed by a private garden tour where orchids were the unequivocal stars. Lunch followed at the lively and fashionable Sant Ambroeus, before the day concluded with a visit to the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.
Thoughtfully designed to highlight experiences unique to Palm Beach, and relevant to McKee, the excursion allowed participants to simply step on and off the motor coach while McKee arranged every detail, from tickets and reservations to transportation. Offered exclusively to Gatekeepers, the event is always limited in size, and this year's 24 spaces were claimed within just 12 hours of the invitation posting. Keep an eye out for the 2027 trip, and be ready when registration opens.
| | | McKee Welcomes New Director of Philanthropy | | Danielle M. Filgueira will begin her role as Director of Philanthropy for McKee on Monday, March 16. A Florida native, Danielle brings a unique blend of operational expertise and philanthropic leadership to the Garden. After ten years with a construction firm in Hialeah, she returned to her alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, where she earned an Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration and served as Associate Regional Director for Annual Giving in the University's Development Department. An articulate and charismatic professional, Danielle has built a strong record of cultivating meaningful relationships with benefactors. She describes herself as "business-minded and servant-hearted," with a strong passion for philanthropy and nonprofit organizations. Danielle steps into this vital role at an important moment in McKee's history. Her leadership will help advance the Light the Legacy Capital Campaign, strengthen relationships with individual donors and foundations, expand grant opportunities, and support the Garden's anticipated Master Plan and future capital initiatives. | | | Light the Legacy Campaign Update | | | | |
McKee's Light the Legacy Centennial Capital Campaign has generated considerable support following its celebratory announcement on December 29. The campaign will expand and modernize the Garden's energy and illumination systems, allowing more pathways to be illuminated during JUNGLE LIGHTS, reducing reliance on temporary generators, improving resilience to flooding, protecting the living collections, and supporting year-round evening programming. The campaign also includes underwriting support for McKee's most important revenue producing event, JUNGLE LIGHTS, for the next five years.
By strengthening this behind-the-scenes infrastructure, Light the Legacy will enhance visitor experiences, increase accessibility, and create new opportunities for community gatherings after dark. The campaign invites supporters to play a vital role in illuminating the Garden's future while honoring its remarkable past. For those interested in learning more about the campaign and its funding opportunities, please contact Marion de Vogel at 772-794-0601, Ext 109.
| | | 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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ORIGAMI for Adults - Saturday, March 14 at 11:00 am registration required
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The Language of Scents - March 19th at 4:00 pm registration required
For more information on each of these events, please visit McKeeGarden.org
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