Twilight’s Back, and So Are Two Global Icons of Orchid Cultivation
- Vero Minute
- Sep 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 4
McKee Botanical Garden’s Twilight at McKee series is back this Thursday, September 4, starting at 5:00 pm with a special behind-the-scenes orchid tour.
This sneak preview lets guests explore McKee’s impressive orchid collection just before the Garden’s First Annual Rare and Exotic Orchid Exhibition and Sale on Saturday, September 6 (9:00 am–4:00 pm) and Sunday, September 7 (9:00 am–3:00 pm).
Presented in partnership with the Vero Beach Orchid Society, the orchid exhibition will feature nationally and internationally recognized growers including Krull-Smith, Odom's Orchids, Ritter Tropic 1, Quest Orchids, and Springwater Orchids.
Educational talks are a highlight of the weekend: internationally recognized plantsman and author Robbie Honey will speak Saturday at 9:30 am about his book The Accidental Botanist.
At 10:30 am, Dr. Martin R. Motes, Florida’s foremost breeder and cultivator of Vandaceous orchids, will share insights from over 40 years of growing expertise. Copies of his popular books Florida Orchid Growing: Month by Month and The Natural Genus: Vanda will be available for purchase.
This inaugural event honors McKee’s storied orchid heritage, which dates back to co-founder Arthur McKee’s extensive private collection in the 1930s and 40s.
Today, McKee maintains a living collection of more than 900 orchids, including rare, native, and historic species. McKee is also proud to participate in the Million Orchid Project, a conservation initiative to reestablish native orchids throughout South Florida—a mission featured in the exhibition.
ABOUT MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN
McKee Botanical Garden is the first and oldest visitor attraction in Vero Beach. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a Florida Heritage Landmark, McKee is also the recipient of The Garden Conservancy’s Jean and John Greene Prize for Excellence in American Gardening and is one of only seven Gardens in the world with 51 cultivated waterlilies Certified as a Collection of Excellence by the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society. Founded in 1922 by early developers and conservationists, Arthur McKee and Waldo Sexton, McKee operated in 1926 as The Royal Park Exotic Nursery then as an internationally renowned visitor attraction from 1932 until a 1976 sale to developers. The 18-acres that remain of the historic garden served as collateral until the final payment from the developer was received. When plans to bulldoze what was once the heart of the garden were announced, an unprecedented community effort ensued to rescue, restore and reopen the historic garden. McKee Botanical Garden now features 10,000 tropical plants, internationally renowned exhibits, the Treasure Coast’s largest holiday light display, JUNGLE LIGHTS, the Children’s Garden, the Garden Café, the Garden Gift & Book Shop and year-round educational programs for adults and children. Supported by over 7,000 members, hundreds of volunteers, and enjoying record-breaking visitor attendance, year after year, McKee remains a testament to the resilience of nature and dedication of the community it serves.
