Miami Beach Botanical Garden Private Home and Garden Tour
Story and Photos by Irene Sperber

Miami Beach Botanical Garden and private homes, Miami Beach
Saturday, March 14

The eighth annual fundraising House and Garden tour showcasing six of the best private residential Miami Beach gardens was held on Saturday March 14, benefiting the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. I grabbed my trusty bicycle to easily navigate and take full advantage of a truly Miami Beach day of perfection. Great ideas and a better appreciation of the creativity of our neighbors made the day a winner as always.

The well-known Landscape Designer Raymond Jungles had created the grounds of one particularly Zen-like home and garden; a thrilling harbinger as Mr. Jungles is preparing to begin work on the Miami Beach Botanical Garden design. Rumor has it the rooftop of the new Frank Gehry New World Symphony Roof Terrace will be a “Jungle” Project.

Botanical Garden volunteers were present at each of the six venues, imparting interesting little tidbits of knowledge, lest we miss the good parts as we meandered about. All gathered back at the Botanical Garden post tour for shopping, munching and visiting with friends to discussion this years selections.

By the time I arrived back home I was ready to redo every inch of my own inner sanctum. Luckily for my pocketbook, the moment passed.

Sandra Wayne, MBBG membership manager and Donna Higgins MBBG Board secretary, checking people in for the tour.		Laura and Maria helping out on the Gems & Junque booth

Tamara Benson, jewelry artist "Tamara Designs" and member of the Garden Board		Carla Carter Eldridge with the Market Company's yummy products

Susan Rothchild, member of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden Board of Directors		Mary Healy, member of Miami Beach Botanical Garden Board of Directors and volunteer tour guide coordinator

Laura Jamieson, executive director of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden		Miami Beach Botanical Garden—proper sustenance offered before the tour.

Henry Stolar, Kathy Coakley, MBBG volunteer Suzanne Stolar and Peter Coakley at a Raymond Jungles landscaped home		Path to a private garden on the tour