Earlier this year, Marathon was granted “Monarch City USA” status. More than 30 gardens in the area have been designated as certified monarch gardens. The Marathon Garden Club will be hosting its first Butterfly Garden Tour on Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are six stops on the tour, with butterfly experts and master gardeners at each. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased along with raffle tickets at the club, the Marathon Chamber of Commerce and at each garden the day of the tour. After the tour there will be a raffle of five ready-to-frame prints by local artists at the garden club.
Marathon Garden Club, 5570 Overseas Hwy., Marathon. The MGC was established in 1955 to educate members and the public about gardening and related subjects. Five years after Hurricane Irma destroyed much of its garden, it now features a renewed variety of trees as well as native and exotic plants.
Crane Point, 5550 Overseas Hwy., Marathon. Crane Point Museum and Nature Trails encompasses 63 acres of tropical hammock in the heart of Marathon. The property is home to three butterfly gardens, all with a distinct purpose. Stroll by the restored Pullman railroad car to see a quaint butterfly garden nestled in and around the railroad tracks.
535 80th St. Ocean, Marathon. A large “Keysy” pesticide-free garden that has survived three hurricanes. Loaded with native plants and bushes and owned by a master gardener who will be on site to share her 50 years of tropical gardening experience. The large variety of native bushes provides food for local and migratory birds, pollinators and many different types of butterflies. On any given day you may see ten different species of butterflies.
1500 Bluefin Dr., Marathon. Located on Dodge Lake, this ¼-acre tropical garden is filled with butterfly host and nectar plants, succulents, orchids, fruit trees and exotic specimens. The owner, who has been instrumental in Marathon’s monarch garden certifications, will be on-site to answer butterfly questions.
1365 Coury Dr., Key Colony Beach. Enjoy the colorful variety of trees and plants in a beautiful manicured garden with dramatic ocean views. The native and other tropical milkweeds attract many traveling and Florida monarchs. The owner will be on-site to share her experience in raising and releasing an estimated 100 monarch butterflies last year.
58141 Morton Street, Grassy Key. The effects of hurricanes Wilma and Irma were still evident when the present owners purchased this Morton Street gulfside property. To bring back the natural beauty, they created a large monarch butterfly sanctuary with a multitude of native plantings. Come walk through the newly created pathways to view the garden and waterfalls flowing in the swimming pool.
Photos by MARATHON GARDEN CLUB/Contributed.
