Flora of all tropical and subtropical varieties were on display on Feb. 18 at the Francis Tracy Garden Center in Key Largo. The lack of parking space didn’t faze the many visitors, who parked alongside the road by MM 94, as well as on the median – with local law enforcement’s supervision, of course.
Upon entering the Garden Walk, the fragrance of flowers wafted in the air, sweet and delicate, or headier or more pungent, depending on the flower. Visitors could purchase native and other Keys-compatible plants from several friendly vendors.
The Garden Club of the Upper Keys hosted its 42nd Garden Walk, a favorite of plant lovers. It consisted of two parts — a free event at the Francis Tracy Garden Center and a more exclusive ticketed event for those who wanted to take a peek at some fabulous local gardens dotted around the Upper Keys.
The highlight of the all-day event was the property self-guided tour. In honor of the club’s 70th birthday, the special reduced price of $25 was offered for the tour of five private gardens around the Upper Keys.
The garden center saw many visitors walking away with hand-pulled wagons filled with potted plants, smiles across their faces. The Art Guild of the Purple Isles had a show on the premises, showcasing many beautiful plant-inspired works.
Upper Keys’ Evolve boutique had a booth with its light-as-air sundresses, quality handbags and other wonderful items for the discerning customer.
Another store, based in South Florida, sold gorgeous purses made in Colombia, some made by the native population. A lady originally from Cuba and now living in Miami displayed her handmade soaps (the coconut one was to die for!) and candles, one with citronella to ward off mosquitoes.
One booth, Valhalla Metalworks, showcased the art of metallurgy with stunning swirling Damascus blades with handles which fit perfectly in the hand, something owner and metallurgist Swede Blevins takes care to produce. The ones on display had well-made handles of walnut, with a thumb groove and stainless-steel pins. These beautiful knives are made to last. The Damascus blade was forged with 520 layers of hot carbon steel. Per Blevins, they are heated and folded in a twist pattern, creating the signature marble swirling pattern.
Blevins taught metallurgy for 30 years, and he was more than happy to share his knowledge with the steady stream of visitors at his booth. His wife Debbie adds he also makes coat racks and gates for his customers a bit further north, mainly in Virginia, where the couple resides. They have been coming to the Keys for many years.
Stacey’s Naturals provides natural skin care products featuring rich body souffles and soap bars as well as a line of facial skin care. Decadent scents such as Bliss, Black Sugar, and the exotic Orchid filled your nose as you picked up the soap bars one by one. Stacey Cee, originally from the Caribbean island of Trinidad, was inspired by her grandmother, whose knowledge of herbs and plants was vast and whose techniques served Stacey well when she was struggling with seborrheic dermatitis.
“I grew up seeing my grandmother helping people with herbs,” Stacey reflected. “She was a walking encyclopedia of herbs, and I was inspired to help others as her knowledge had helped me.”
As for food, the crowd certainly didn’t go hungry. Cousins Maine Lobster offered a hearty taste of New England with its Connecticut lobster roll – warm and buttery – and Maine lobster roll – served chilled with mayo. The food truck also provided visitors of the Garden Walk with Maine lobster tail, lobster quesadillas, and lobster tacos, all with either Cape Cod chips or tater tots. For dessert, you could either stay here at Cousins for whoopie pie or make your way to Joey’s Mini Doughnuts for a hot, fresh and delicious treat.
Visit next year’s Garden Walk for a relaxing stroll through some of the Upper Keys’ most spectacular private gardens and be inspired to purchase a plant (or five!) to beautify your own garden.
