American Plumbing; B&L Landscape; Brown Enterprises; Childress Roofing and Sheet Metal; Coleman Construction Group; Cummings Masonry; Duval Fence; Frattle Stairs and Rails; Green Built Construction; H&H Landscaping; Marietta Sand Corporation; Miller Electric; Nitelites Outdoor Lighting; Southeastern Ornamental; Supreme Stucco; Taylor Cotton Ridley; Wes Peters Painting; and Wonderland Products.

Special thanks as well to our partners on this initiative:

Elkins Constructors Inc.; CMS Group LLC; Connelly & Wicker Inc.; Atlantic Engineering Services; Sunscapes Landscape Design Inc.; Francois Goffinet Limited; and Richard Skinner & Associates, Architects.

Please continue to check our website and “like” us on Facebook to receive updates about the final phase of construction.

Because the official date for NPGD coincides with the final day of our annual Very Special Arts Festival, we are extending the offer for free admission with coupon to Saturday as well.  So, you are welcome to visit either day.  Please be aware that from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday May 10th, the Museum will be hosting children from around the Greater Jacksonville area for a festival that takes place throughout the Museum galleries.

On Saturday at 2 p.m. there will be a guided tour of the Gardens with one of our docents.  The tour will discuss the history and design elements of the beautiful Cummer Gardens, which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and will also share information about key plants on our campus.

The Gardens are also a wonderful place to enjoy a box lunch from our TreeCup Café, make a sketch in your sketch book, relax under a shade tree while enjoying the  cool breeze, or take a photo of one of the oldest oak trees in Jacksonville. However you choose to enjoy being outside, we hope you will spend National Public Gardens Day with The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.

At the Opening event, Members will enjoy: Classical Music by The String Group, Plein Air Artists in the Olmsted Garden, Comments by Director Hope McMath, and a dance performance by Jennifer Muller / The Works.   So please join us in our celebration, as we bring this beautiful new Garden to the community.  This event is free for Members, and $15 for Non-member Guests.

The Olmsted Garden was part of the estate of Waldo and Clara Cummer, the brother and sister-in-law of Museum founders Arthur and Ninah Cummer. In the early 1930s, they hired the renowned Olmsted Bros. firm to complete a renovation of their grounds. Their gardens were partially obliterated in the early 1960s, when both Cummer homes were demolished to make way for the new museum building, the Red Cross, and the former Barnett Building, which now houses the Museum’s interactive center, Art Connections.

The space sat vacant for many years, and have been under restoration since September 2012, using the original plans located in the Olmsted Archives as well as historic Cummer family photographs.

This project has been financed in part with historic preservation grant assistance provided by the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, assisted by the Florida Historical Commission.

Lyonia lucida is a species of flowering plant in the heath family known by the common names Fetterbush, Hurrahbush, and Staggerbush. This plant grows on the coastal plain of the southeastern United States from Virginia to Florida to Louisiana. It grows in dry habitats but it is usually found in wet places, including those that are periodically flooded. Growing in shrubby bogs, wet savannas, conifer swamps, and scrub, lyonia lucida is common in the Okefenokee Swamp.

This shrub can grow to up 15 feet in height and just as wide. The leathery leaves are alternately arranged on scaly twigs and are oval in shape. Flowers are bell-shaped and range in color from white to pink with fragrant blooms. In addition to being a good source of nectar, it has been documented that Seminole Indians used the wood of fetterbush to make bowls for their tobacco pipes.

In the early 1900s, magnificent gardens surrounded the Riverside Avenue homes of one of Jacksonville’s most prominent families, the Cummers. The Olmsted Garden was part of the estate of Waldo and Clara Cummer, the brother and sister-in-law of Museum founders Arthur and Ninah Cummer. In the early 1930s, they hired the renowned Olmsted Bros. firm to complete a renovation of their grounds.

Their gardens were partially obliterated in the early 1960s, when both Cummer homes were demolished to make way for the new museum building, the Red Cross, and the former Barnett Building, which now houses the Museum’s interactive center, Art Connections.

Plans have been underway to restore these gardens to their original glory for many years. The completion of the Olmsted Garden, which has never been open to the public, nearly doubles The Cummer’s current Riverfront footage, and provides the Museum with yet another platform to discuss art, design, history, and environmental conservation, all through the use of our landscape. The Cummer Gardens, including the Olmsted Garden, were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Be sure to join us for the public opening in April!

Saturday, March 23 through Saturday March 30

2013 Garden Month provides many opportunities for our members and guests of all ages to explore and experience our historic gardens through exciting events, tours, lectures, classes and exhibitions.

Daily & Ongoing

During March we will have Docent led Garden Tours every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.  This tour is free with museum admission and no reservations are required.  The Docents will meet our guests in the Front Lobby to begin the tours.  We do appreciate advance notice for large groups.  Please call 904.899.6038 for more information.

Also during Garden Month our Loggia will be transformed into a Garden Store with art, plants, gifts, and books on sale Tuesday’s from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday’s through Saturday’s from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the month of March, 2013.  We will have unique and fun items for garden and art lovers.

 Saturday

If you feel a need to get back to nature and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us, “Excursion into Wild Florida with Jim Draper” is for you!  On Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Julington Durbin Creek Preserve, Jim will lead an excursion to explore this natural habitat.  Bring your own lunch.  Wine and light hors d’oeuvre will be served at The Cummer after the outing.  Members $125, non-members $140, Active Docents $63.  Space is limited.  Ages 13 and up. For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

It’s not Garden Month without art classes for children! For children ages 6-10, we have Art Adventures on Saturday, March 23, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Children will celebrate Garden Month by painting in our Cummer Gardens.  Members $10, non-members $15. For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

Sunday

On Sunday, March 24, at 1 p.m., join us for a talk with artist Jim Draper as he explores the many layers behind his newest body of work, Feast of Flowers. Jim will begin with an idea to explore and you will discover new ways to understand Florida history, environmental aesthetics and our place within the natural order. Space is limited. Members free, Non-members free with paid Museum admission Please call 904.899.6038 to make your required reservation by March 22.

Tuesday

On Tuesday, March 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm, please join us for a talk on Living the River Friendly Life: Rain barrels, Irrigation and Fertilizers featuring Matt Eaton, North Florida Irrigation and Jimmy Orth of St. Johns Riverkeeper.  Seating is very limited; first come, first seated.

Wednesday

On Wednesday, March 27, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., please join us as the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens hosts its first Farm to Table dining experience featuring locally sourced and seasonal fresh foods that will showcase some of Jacksonville’s best chefs. Enjoy the view of the St. Johns River as you dine in our garden. The collaboration between North Florida farms, local fisheries, artisans and some of the city’s most talented chefs will make for an unforgettable dining experience. Members: $150.00 per person, Non Members: $160.00 per person.  Please call 904.899.6038 to make your reservation.

Thursday

On Thursday, March 28, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Beekeeper Karen Wassmer will give a talk on Creating a Bee Friendly Garden and share her knowledge and experience about beekeeping, plants best suited for honeybees, and creating bee-friendly gardens. Karen is an active member of the Northeast Florida Honeybee Association and Jacksonville Beekeeper Association. Ages 13 and up.  Members $10, Non-Members $15, Active Docents $5.  For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

 Friday

For an exciting way to experience our gardens; we are offering “Yoga in the Garden” on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Certified yoga instructor Brittany Simpson will lead “Mind/Body Yoga” in the Cummer Garden. Beginners are encouraged! This is a gentle yoga class focusing on breath awareness, alignment and balance.  This type of yoga is ideal for relaxing the mind and body while helping calm the stress and tension from daily life.  Postures and breath will release toxins from your body and leave you feeling lighter, happier and rejuvenated! Space is limited. Please bring your own towel and yoga mat.  Ages 13 and up.  Members $5, non-members $10. For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

Saturday

Instructor Ann Evans with Cypress Creative Floral Design will host an afternoon flower arranging workshop on Saturday, March 30 from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop will include all arrangement supplies, an introduction and discussions on selecting the right flowers and container, proper stem cutting, arrangement and caretaking, as well as handy tricks and expert advice. At the completion of the workshop, each student will take home the masterpiece they create.  Ages 13 and up. Members $100, Non-Members $115, Active Docents $50. For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

On Saturday, March 30, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., several artists participating in “A Brush with Nature” from the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens will be in our gardens demonstrating watercolor and acrylic painting and pastel drawing from 12 noon to 3 p.m.  This event is free with paid museum admission.

Saturday, March 16 through Saturday March 23

2013 Garden Month provides many opportunities for our members and guests of all ages to explore and experience our historic gardens through exciting events, tours, lectures, classes and exhibitions.

Daily & Ongoing

During March we will have Docent led Garden Tours every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.  This tour is free with museum admission and no reservations are required.  The Docents will meet our guests in the Front Lobby to begin the tours.  We do appreciate advance notice for large groups.  Please call 904.899.6038 for more information.

When taking a look at the Mahonia bealei, you’ll see the thick yellow-green leaves growing in a shape similar to Hollies with sharp points. These leaves protrude from a reddish stem. They tend to flourish with sweet smelling bright yellow flowers in winter and flowed by bright blue fruit in summer. The berries are sometimes eaten raw or made into different things like pies, jelly, and wine. The Mahonia bealei is very shade tolerant, and is usually found in woodland areas.  It does not need a lot of direct sunlight to reach its full maturity.

Regardless of its Asian nativity, this plant represents American history and is a must see upon your next visit to the Cummer Gardens.

2013 Garden Month provides many opportunities for our members and guests of all ages to explore and experience our historic gardens through exciting events, tours, lectures, classes and exhibitions.

Daily & Ongoing
During March we will have Docent led Garden Tours every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.  This tour is free with museum admission and no reservations are required.  The Docents will meet our guests in the Front Lobby to begin the tours.  We do appreciate advance notice for large groups.  Please call 904.899.6038 for more information.

Also during Garden Month our Loggia will be transformed into a Garden Store with art, plant, gift and book sales Tuesday’s from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday’s through Saturday’s from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the month of March, 2013.  We will have unique and fun items for garden and art lovers.

Saturday
If you feel a need to get back to nature and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us, “Excursion into Wild Florida with Jim Draper” is for you!  On Saturday, March 9, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Willie Brown Trail, Jim will lead an excursion to explore this natural habitat. Bring your own lunch.  $100 for members, $115 for non-members and $63 for Active Docents. For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

It’s not Garden Month without art classes!  For children ages 3-5, we have Art for Two on Saturday, March 9, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Children will celebrate Garden Month by painting in our Cummer Gardens.  Members $10 for two, non-members $15 for two. For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

Tuesday
On Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. in the Hixon Auditorium, local artist Jim Draper and Director Hope McMath will give lead an engaging discussion about the idea of being a participant versus a possessor while tending and cultivating a garden.  This event is free to the public. Seating is very limited; first come, first seated. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday

The Cummer is very excited to host British author Andrea Wulf on Wednesday, March 13 at 11 a.m. for a lecture in the Hixon Auditorium.  In her latest book, Founding Gardeners, award-winning historian and author Andrea Wulf looks at the lives of the founding fathers and how their attitude to plants, gardens, nature and agriculture shaped the American nation. In a unique retelling of the creation of America, Ms. Wulf will share with us how plants, politics, and personalities intertwined as never before.  A luncheon in the Terry Gallery will follow the lecture and Ms. Wulf will be available to sign her books in the Loggia Garden Store.  Members $65, non-members $70.  Please call 904.899.6038 to make your reservations.

 Saturday
The 2013 Cummer Ball & Auction will be held on Saturday, March 16 from 6 p.m. to midnight.  This black tie event will have dinner, dancing with The Tangee Renee Band and a Live Auction.  Funds raised from The Cummer Ball support The Cummer’s mission to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens and education.  Grand Benefactor attendees will have an opportunity to adopt a work of art in the Museum’s permanent collection for one year.  An event is planned for May 2013 to choose the piece of art. We do not mail tickets for the Ball & Auction; we check your name at the door. Please call 904.899.6038 to make your reservations.

Grand Benefactor

Member: $2,500 per couple or $1,250 for one reservation

Non-member: $2,600 per couple or $1,300 for one reservation

Patron

Member: $1,000 per couple or $500 for one reservation

Non-Member: $1,100 per couple or $550 for one reservation

The Redbud tree (sometimes a shrub) is native to North America from Southern Ontario all the way to Northern Florida. They are considered to be part of the pea and legume family with strong characteristics of both.

The tree does not typically grow taller than about 20 feet, especially since they are usually found growing under the overhang of much taller trees in forests. But when they are able to grow free of the overhang, they can grow up to 50 feet tall.

While the standard colors of Redbuds are a deep pink during the Spring, the Fall blossom is a yellow hue but people seldom know these trees are technically Redbuds.

At a distance, Redbuds can be mistaken for Dogwoods which bloom within a week of Redbuds. The Redbud typically does not become quite as dense when it is in full bloom as the Dogwoods. Redbuds are highly adaptable to most climates and soil types (except swamp land) making them very easy to grow, great for The Cummer Gardens.

Daily & Ongoing

During March we will have Docent led Garden Tours every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.  This tour is free with museum admission and no reservations are required.  The Docents will meet our guests in the Front Lobby to begin the tours.  We do appreciate advance notice for large groups.  Please call 904.899.6038 for more information.

It’s not Garden Month without art classes for children and adults.  Beginning on March 5, 2013, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Instructor Glendia Cooper will lead Art Fundamentals: Clay Hand Building.  Participants will create at least two garden inspired projects involving coil and slab work.  The class dates are March 5, 12 and 19 in our Green Studio.  Members $110, Non-members $125, Active Docents $55.  For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

For children ages 3-5, we have Art for Two on Saturday, March 9, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Children will celebrate Garden Month by painting in our Cummer Gardens.  Members $10 for two, non-members $15 for two. For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

During Garden Month our Loggia will be transformed into a Garden Store with art, plants, gifts, and books on sale Tuesday’s from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday’s through Saturday’s from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the month of March, 2013.  We will have unique and fun items for garden and art lovers.

Saturday
On Saturday, March 2, 2013, stop by and see us for our Community Day and Plant Sale.  The St. Johns Riverkeeper will be on site selling Rainbarrels at $65.00 per barrel or 2 for $120.00.  In addition, several artists participating in “A Brush with Nature” from the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens will be in our gardens demonstrating watercolor and acrylic painting and pastel drawing from 12 noon to 3 p.m.  Admission to the museum is free all day and will have live music and studio activities.

Tuesday

During our Free Tuesday’s at The Cummer, The St. Johns Riverkeeper will give a talk from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in our Auditorium.  Bob Chabot, Director of Horticulture and Facilities at the Jacksonville Zoo and Jake Ingram of the Florida Native Plant Society will discuss native plants in garden design.  This event is free to the public.

Friday

Both music and garden enthusiasts will enjoy our Garden Concert featuring the Noel Freidline Quintet on Friday, March 8, 2013 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The doors open at 6 p.m. so come early and find a good location to enjoy jazz and our spectacular river views! This event is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  We also have a limited number of reserved tables for 10 (includes concert reservation, food and beverages are not included). Call 904.899.6038 to make your reservations via credit card.

Saturday

Jim Draper, Willy Brown’s Marsh, 2012, oil on canvas, on loan from artist

If you feel a need to get back to nature and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us,“Excursion into Wild Florida with Jim Draper“ is for you!  On Saturday, March 9, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Willie Brown Trail, Jim will lead an excursion to explore this natural habitat. Bring your own lunch.  $100 for members, $115 for non-members and $63 for Active Docents. For information and reservations, please call 904.355.0630.

Yoga in the Gardens 

Saturday, March 23rd from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Friday, March 29th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Saturday, March 30th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Members $5 / Nonmembers $10

Written by Brittany Simpson, Yoga Instructor at Yoga Alliance and Guest Blogger

Entering The Gardens you cannot help but be amazed by their vast beauty. There is so much history, culture, and imagination; from the huge Oak tree sweeping the grounds, to the Tuscan inspired reflecting pools, to the English Garden.  With a cup of tea from Tree Cup Café, the Gardens are not to be missed!

I recommend next time you are in the Gardens to take a moment to listen to the stillness of the Gardens. What peace.  It is almost whimsical to be present among so much natural beauty.  Coming in March, I look forward to combining two of my favorite things: Yoga & The Gardens!  I have the privilege of guiding a gentle yoga class March 23rd, 29th & 30th during Garden Month! What a gift it will be to help guide others to be present in the moment in the Gardens, while moving our breath and bodies in a healing way. What a perfectly complementary pair!

The Garden is one of the big factors that inspired me to be involved with The Cummer Museum.  I am on the Board of the The Up & Cummers, a young professionals group at the Museum, and serve as the Chair for the Special Events Committee!

Garden Month at The Cummer will be packed with different activities, from a rainbarel sale by the wonderfully proactive St. Johns Riverkeeper, to a Farm to Table dinner. The Gardens are being fully utilized this March so be sure not to miss out!

Tickets for this performance are $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  Guests may bring blankets, chairs, food and alcoholic beverages.  Food and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase that evening through TreeCup Café.  A limited number of reserved tables are also available for $500.00. They include concert reservation and seating for 10. (food and beverage not included)

Following Garden Concerts include Motown with KTG on Friday, June 14 and River City Satin on Wednesday, July 3.  All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

As our concerts tend to fill to capacity please call 904.899.6038 to make your required reservations and ensure a relaxing evening of family and friends, great music and the tranquil beauty of The Cummer Gardens.

All through the month of March the Cummer will be celebrating its gardens with programming and events centered around them.  Kicking this off will be our Community Day on Saturday March the 2

The sale will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will include plants from several local garden centers including:

• Anita’s Garden Shop located in Avondale features English garden baskets, wreaths, topiaries, fresh cut flowers, orchid arrangements, as well as both indoor and outdoor garden ornamentals reminiscent of European garden shops.
• Mandarin’s Flying Dragon Citrus Nursery specializes in citrus trees and goes as far as growing, delivering, and planting trees for their customers.
• Philips Garden Store, located in Ortega, is a family owned business that has been serving Jacksonville residents for over 50 years with an emphasis on high quality plants and knowledgeable customer service.
• Trad’s Garden Center is also family owned and possesses a strong sense of community involvement whether by donating vegetable gardens to schools or by providing classes and seminars to the public to educate them on all manner of gardening.

With the variety of products on offer from these gardeners and others there is sure to be something for everyone.  And with the proceeds directly benefitting the gardens here at the Cummer every dollar spent goes to a good cause.

Our featured exhibition is Jim Draper: Feast of Flowers.

Please join us for 2013 Garden Month at The Cummer:

• “Discovering the Layers” Gallery Discussions with Jim Draper
  March 24 at 1 p.m.
• Community Day & Plant Sale, along with a Rainbarrel sale in partnership with St. Johns Riverkeeper on Saturday, March 2, 2013 (Free admission all day)
• Off-site Excursions into Wild Florida with Jim Draper:
  Saturday, March 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Willie Brown Trail
  Saturday, March 23, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Julington Durbin Creek Preserve
• Docent led Garden Tours - every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the month of March 2013 at 11 a.m. (Free with Museum admission. Docents will meet you in our Lobby at 11 a.m. to begin the tours)
• Garden Store at The Cummer featuring art, plant, gift and book sales
• Demonstrating artists, in partnership with The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens, will be painting our gardens.  The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens is hosting a plein air painting event, A Brush with Nature, from March 21 through March 23, 2013.  Please visit our friends and enjoy the natural beauty of their woodland and trails!
• Free Community Day, Saturday March 2, 12 to 3 p.m. – free all day
• Garden Concert featuring Noel Freidline on Friday, March 8, 2013
• Classes for children
• Classes for adults (and children ages 13 and up)
• Lecture by Jim Draper and Director Hope McMcath on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 (Free to the Public)
• Lecture by British author Andrea Wulf on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
• Lecture by Chief Curator Holly Keris on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 (Free to the Public)
• Talks and Tea at The Cummer:
  The Cummer Gardens Part 1: Wednesday, March 20 & Thursday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m.
  The Cummer Gardens Part 2: Wednesday, April 17 & Thursday, April 18 at 1:30 p.m.
• Lectures by St. Johns Riverkeeper on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 and Tuesday, March 26, 2013 (Both are free to the Public)
• Fashion Show featuring Krista Eberle and Timo Weiland on Friday, March 22, 2013
• Farm to Table Moonlight Dinner in our garden on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

For more information and to make your reservation via credit card, please call 904.899.6038

The Azalea, originally called Indica azalea, was first found in Japan when Asia was still the East Indies. Now azaleas not only pepper Asia and Europe, but they are also used in extraordinary quantity in the southeastern United States.

Azaleas prefer growing under the shade of trees with broken sunlight, and in dry soil making them a perfect selection for The Cummer Gardens. With at least 26 different species in the United States alone, the plant grows so large that it completely smothers itself with blooms come spring time; blossoms of red, white, pink, purple, and “salmon”. The word azalea is associated with temperance, passion and womanhood, which is also rather fitting for The Cummer.

Not only do Azaleas grow with their traditional style and colors, but botanists have also developed hybrid typed of Azaleas giving not only a different shape, but also color pattern to the flower. Most of what is seen growing naturally in states such as Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, etc. are the standard Azalea plants which take over fence lines and front yards with beautiful bursts of color among the deep green of their stems and leaves.

Why purchase a rain barrel?  By using captured rainwater to water plants or wash your car, you can help to lower your water bill, prevent the over pumping of groundwater and help protect our aquifers, springs, wetlands and river.  You also protect the river and its tributaries from storm water runoff that may carry fertilizers and harmful chemicals.

Purchase your rain barrel(s) today by clicking here.  Pre-orders must be must be received by Monday, February 25, 2013. The rain barrels will be available for pick-up on Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Community Day. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information on the rain barrels, please contact Shannon Blanksinship at 904-256-7613 or Shannon@stjohnsriverkeeper.org.

Written by Ginny Mirzoyeva, Marketing Intern

Camellias are perennial shrubs that usually bloom from fall to early spring. They do well in moderate climates, warm summers and mild winters are usually best. However if the weather is to hot and humid, or too cold and windy, the Camellias will not fare well. Camellias are quite common among home gardeners. The two main types growing in our garden are the Japonica and the Sasanqua. Although it is possible to grow and plant camellias, the seeds could take up to five years to bloom. A much simpler and less time consuming method is to purchase them from nurseries as transplants. There are few noteworthy differences between the Japonica and the Sasanqua Camellias.

The Camellia Japonica has larger leaves and flowers than the Sasanqua. The Japonica blooms in the late winter or early spring. The Sasanqua on the other hand blooms mostly in the fall and early winter.  The Japonica is a taller plant reaching anywhere from to 12 feet all the way to 25 feet in height. The Sasanqua is smaller and grows from four to only about 15 feet in height. While Camellia Sasanqua can handle dry soil, Japonica requires plenty of moisture and is a bit less tolerant to drought. Both plants do best in partial shade.

Planting and maintenance is similar among both types of Camellias. When transplanting into the garden plant them in the ground at the same depth and twice the diameter of the pot they were originally growing in. All Camellias require moist, well-draining, and slightly acidic soil. Spread a 1-2 inch layer of mulch around the plant to retain moisture and prevent weed growth. While the plants are still new in the garden make sure they receive enough water to retain moisture and promote growth.  Take care to not over water your Camellias as excess water can cause rotting in the roots. If the Camellias are in need of more acidity in their soil during their

Dovetailing with Jim Draper’s Feast of Flowers exhibit, The Museum is featuring a few groupings of North Florida Native Plants in various locations around the museum.  Each week we will look at one of these plants in more detail.

Below the branches of the Bald Cypress are six Longleaf Pines (Pinus palustris) in what is termed the “grass stage” of development.  Longleaf Pine individuals have been known to remain in this juvenile stage up to seven years plus waiting until conditions are perfect for them to ‘reach for the sun’ and become trees.  They have physiologically adapted to withstand ground fires that will burn their needles but not the terminal bud.  Fires are often the impetus needed to provide the growth spurt that sends them upward.  In the ‘grass stage’ they look like anything but a majestic Longleaf Pine but they do have that look of ‘promise.’

Dovetailing with Jim Draper’s Feast of Flowers exhibit, The Museum is featuring a few groupings of North Florida Native Plants in various locations around the museum.  Each week we will look at one of these plants in more detail.

Outside the Stein Gallery, staged around the Pines and beneath the Cypress is a large grouping of Soft Rush (Juncus effusus).  This fresh water-loving perennial has narrow, upright cylindrical leaves up to two feet tall that mysteriously bear flowers  mid-way up their leaves in early summer.  Often found growing in road-side ditches and along the margins of lakes, Soft Rush will provide a strong vertical accent in any wetland landscape.  Soft Rush is a close fresh water relative to the Black Needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) common in Florida’s vast salt marshes.

Dovetailing with Jim Draper’s Feast of Flowers exhibit, The Museum is featuring a few groupings of North Florida Native Plants in various locations around the museum.  Each week we will look at one of these plants in more detail.

The evergreen, late winter-flowering vine, Yellow Jessamine  (Gelsemium sempervirens) is placed at the base of each Cypress tree with the intention of providing floral interest in late February as it twines up the trunks of their host trees.  This is a very common plant in many upland forest ecosystems that makes itself known when it flowers profusely as it climbs vigorously through the forest understory.  This valuable landscape vine provides welcomed late winter color as a harbinger of spring and is a very useful evergreen twining vine in the home landscape.

Dovetailing with Jim Draper’s Feast of Flowers exhibit, The Museum is featuring a few groupings of North Florida Native Plants in various locations around the museum.  Each week we will look at one of these plants in more detail.

At the four inner corners of the central boxwood hedge are placed four Bald Cypress trees familiar to us as denizens of our nearby fresh water swamps.  They are deciduous, losing all their cinnamon-tinted leaves annually in early December and giving them the bare look you’ll see during the Draper exhibit.   In their youth, they possess strongly horizontal branches from the ground up, eager to gather as much sunlight as possible.  As such, they have a striking sculptural form in winter possessing a fish-bone silhouette look until their fern-like leaves appear in the early spring.   As they grow taller, the lower branches, having done their work, disappear leaving the sun-gathering work to the upper tiers of branches.  With age they develop flat-top canopies sixty feet high or more and utilize what are called ‘knees’ to help get the oxygen they need.  Much of the largess of the Cummer family was derived from the lumbering of cypress trees.   No artist can capture the essence of the Bald Cypress quite like Jim Draper.  Just go see for yourself!

The Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a tree native to fresh water swamps and the edges of rivers.  They are deciduous, losing all their cinnamon-tinted leaves annually in early December.   In their youth, they develop strongly horizontal branches from the ground up, eager to gather as much sunlight as possible.  As such, they have a striking sculptural form in winter, possessing a fish-bone silhouette look until the delicate, fern-like leaves appear in the early spring.   As they grow taller, the lower branches, having completed their work, gradually disappear leaving the sun-gathering work to the upper tiers of branches.  With age they develop flat-top canopies sixty feet high or more and on the ground around them utilize what are called ‘knees’ to help ingest the oxygen they need.

Dovetailing with Jim Draper’s Feast of Flowers exhibit, The Museum is featuring a few groupings of North Florida Native Plants in various locations around the museum.  Each week we will look at one of these plants in more detail.

The Spruce Pine is a North Florida resident that is found in moist forests growing as a single specimen, unlike the other Pines in our area that grow in dense stands .  A denizen of flood plains and mixed hardwood forests, it is most often noticed west of Jacksonville from the I-10 bridges  as one crosses broad wetland areas.  Look for needles that are much shorter and densely arranged than our more common Loblolly and Slash Pines.  It is also more shade-tolerant than their sun-loving cousins.  And its bark resembles more that of a hardwood tree than a pine.  Despite its preference for moist sites, it adapts easily to upland areas and makes a very attractive addition to an urban landscape.  There’s a magnificent specimen on Oak Street, just north of James.  These four containerized trees are only four years old and with age will drop their lower branches as they reach for the sky.  Truly a majestic southern Pine.

Dovetailing with Jim Draper’s Feast of Flowers exhibit, The Museum is featuring a few groupings of North Florida Native Plants in various locations around the museum.  Each week we will look at one of these plants in more detail.

The Dwarf Blueberries do indeed produce edible blueberries, appreciated equally by us Homo sapiens and the many avian species, especially the Mockingbird, that share the natural bounty of our ecosystem.  These are not the cultivated or hybridized blueberries that target the grocery store markets.  They are indeed dwarfs that have grown naturally among the Pine Flatwoods and Scrub of our region for millennia.  Their intrinsic beauty can be found in their fine-textured, evergreen foliage that emerges pink, transitions to a glaucous blue-green thence to light green.  The flowers are an inconspicuous pink or white, typical of their other blueberry cousins; little lantern-shaped globes that open up hanging downward at the first sign of spring weather.  Their branching structure is unpredictable at best.  They seem to grow sort of sideways, their branches often askew, not willing to make that perfect round mound of a plant we all seem to crave in our controlled landscapes.  But the plant’s reward to us is their multi-colored foliage yielding a magnificent range of pink-blue-green colors that is present throughout the year.   These are plants to be ‘naturalized’ in a garden; not to be lined up in a stiff row.  Their personalities are unique; weird little critters who prefer to be left to their own devices but are doubly generous with their rewards.

Dovetailing with Jim Draper’s Feast of Flowers exhibit, The Museum is featuring a few groupings of North Florida native plants in various locations around the museum.  Each week we will look at one of these plants in more detail.

Reinhold Courtyard

Most conspicuous are the plantings arranged in the Central Courtyard.  Located in the flagstone-paved corners are four identical groupings of Dwarf Blueberries (Vaccinium darrowii) around a single specimen of Spruce Pine (Pinus glabra).  They are draped in Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usnioides) to conceal the containers, unify each grouping and give them a sense of ‘local place’.

Platform Outside of the Stein Gallery

This 5’ x 8’ platform, originally intended as a site for sculpture, houses four of Florida’s most wide-ranging Native Plants:  Bald Cypress, Longleaf Pine, Soft Rush and Yellow Jessamine.

© Richard Skinner & Associates, Architects, 2012.

As part of the Olmsted Garden Restoration and Landscape Enhancement Project, The Cummer parking lots will be receiving some much needed attention. Beginning December 10, all Cummer lots across Riverside Avenue from the Museum will be closed for a complete renovation. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2013. During this period, visitors are encouraged to park in the lot at the Lane Building, or in public parking on Post Street between the Museum and the Garden Club of Jacksonville. Street parking is also available on Riverside Park Place and May Street.

Big changes include improved landscape and lighting and the addition of accessible parking. Also new to the space will be bike and scooter parking.

Not only will these new parking lots look and function better, they will also be more environmentally friendly. In lieu of 100% asphalt lots, The Cummer will be using pervious pavers in the parking stalls to help capture stormwater runoff.

Gathering Plaza. © Richard Skinner & Associates, Architects, 2012.

The community is invited to support the restoration and renovation project by participating in the Dedicate a Brick Campaign, which offers hundreds of individuals the opportunity to have an engraved brick in the gathering plaza within the new parking lots. Behind each name is the story of a milestone, a personal relationship, or the celbration of a life. Cost per brick is $500 and individuals are able to purchase an unlimited number of bricks. For more information, please contact Kenyon Merritt at 904.899.6025 or visit www. cummer.org.

We thank you for your patience as we improve your Cummer experience!

You might also notice crushed egg shells at the base of the delphinium. Not only does the calcium in the shells help provide the alkaline soil necessary for strong stems, it also acts as a deterrent for slugs, which love to feast of the delicate crown of the delphinium where the stems originate.

Also happening during December, look for new sod to be placed in the Upper Tier, and watch for changes to the courtyard as we install Florida native plants in conjunction with the exhibition, Jim Draper: Feast of Flowers.

Pentas, also known as the Star Flower, is a perennial plant that grows well in tropical regions. When other plants fade in Florida’s hot and humid summers, perennials like Pentas truly shine. These attractive plants produce red, pink, or white flowers throughout the summer and are a great source of food and attraction for hummingbirds and butterflies. These plants reach their full height of 4 feet in perennial zones, growing as a small shrub at maturity. Pentas are relatively easy to plant and are low maintenance.

Pentas maybe be planted from seeds or as plant cuttings. For best results, plant Pentas in late spring in a site that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. Make sure to leave ample space for them to grow if planting in beds, or more than one bush. Pentas grow best in acidic soil that is fertile and well-drained. Add compost and fertilizer to the soil for added nutrients and acidity. Continue fertilizing the soil with a balanced fertilizer every six weeks or so to improve performance. Water the plants regularly at first and then only as necessary when the soil feels very dry to the touch or when rainfall is limited. Bring the plants indoors during cold weather if they are in a container. For garden plants cover the soil with a thick layer of mulch during the winter to retain nutrients and moisture. When the Pentas have grown to full height dead stems and foliage may be cut back. Spent flower heads should be pinched off to encourage bushier plants and promote the growth of new blooms.

Written by Ginny Mirzoyeva, Marketing Intern

Salvia is both and an annual and perennial herb that can grow seasonally or year-round in warm climates. There are many different types of Salvia, such as Salvia Coccinea also known as “Scarlet Sage,” and Victoria Blue known as “mealy sage.” Salvia must be planted during warm weather in the spring time. The plant usually blooms around late summer and can grow from 1-2 feet in height.  Because of its vivid appearance, Salvia looks best planted in beds or as a border. Planting, care, and maintenance are generally similar among most salvia plants.

When planting in colder climates, the seeds should first be sown indoors 8-10 weeks before the spring frost. Once the weather warms up and the salvia begins to sprout leaves it may be transplanted outdoors. In warmer, more tropical climates the seeds maybe planted directly outdoors to start with. It is recommended that bedding plants of Salvia Coccinea be purchased for planting because the seeds can take longer to mature before they can be transplanted outdoors. Once the Salvia is planted it must be kept in a warm and partially shaded area. Although it is known to be drought resistant, the plant needs to be watered moderately while it is young. Once it has matured the Salvia will only need watering when the plant begins to wilt. Although it is tolerant of dry soil Salvia should be planted in well-draining soil. Fertilize the plant with compost, or any type of well-balanced plant food to boost nutrition. Adding in mulch in every spring will help to retain moisture in the soil. If the Salvia is planted in a dryer location where rain is inconsistent, watering the plant during the summer is recommended. Although not necessary, it is a good idea to occasionally trim off any dead or dying flower heads to promote growth of new ones.

Canna Lilies are actually not a true lily and are more closely related to the ginger family. They are dramatic plants whose flowers grow in a variety of shades. They are annual and tropical plants that can grow year round.  Canna Lilies can be grown both indoors in containers as well outdoors in the ground. Although planting seeds is possible, Cannas are more readily grown from root-like structures known as rhizomes. These plants stand out best when planted in beds or as borders to show off their vibrant appearance. Planting, care, and maintenance are similar among all types of Cannas.

To grow Cannas from seeds, it is important to soak the seeds in hot water for two days before sowing. Prior to soaking, remove a small portion of the seed’s coat with a sharp knife. This will help moisture to penetrate the seed’s embryo and break its dormancy.  After the first 24 hours the water will begin to cool off so be sure to change and add in additional hot water. Add seed starting potting mix into a germination container and water it until the mix is soaked. Let the mix drain for an hour before adding in the seeds. Be sure the seeds are planted about one inch into the mix and covered well. After the seeds have been added to the mix move the container to a sunny location, around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.  The seeds will begin to sprout in about one week. Once the sprouts have reached about six inches in height they can be transplanted into individual pots as well as the garden. Be sure that all indications of frost have passed before moving them to the garden.

To plant rhizomes pick a spot in the garden that receives direct sunlight. Plant the bulbs four to six inches deep. Place the bulbs in the soil horizontally with the eyes facing up. Cover the bulbs well and space them at least 18 inches apart. If the bulbs are planted in a pot, be sure to not over crowd the pot. Depending on how large the pot is, up to three bulbs may be planted. Add fertilizer to the soil to maintain moisture and nutrition. Continue to add fertilizer once a month to the plants. Water the cannas regularly while they are growing and ensure the soil is well draining and slightly acidic to neutral. Canna Lilies do not fare well in cold weather. Be sure to cover the plants with mulch in the fall to preserve them and maintain their vibrant foliage. If the weather is too cold for the plants to handle and frost sets in, up root the Cannas and transplant them indoors until the spring. Cut down the flowers to about three or four inches, just enough to preserve the stem. Trim and clean the bulbs to remove excess and tangled roots.  The rhizomes can be dug up and stored or the plant itself replanted into an indoor pot. Be sure to store the rhizomes in a cool dark place until they are replanted, and remember to prune the plants when necessary.

The Nerium Oleander,  also known as a Petite pink or dwarf oleander, is an evergreen shrub with a compact, rounded shape and pink blooms that embellish the shrub from spring until late autumn. This shrub is fast growing and reaches a height and width of about six feet. It is a low maintenance plant that thrives in the sun and dry weather. The plant is not very tolerant of cold weather and although it could survive temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the shrub may incur damage to its leaves and should be kept at a warm temperature.

Although it is known to be drought resistant, it is advised that oleander be planted in well-draining soil and is watered regularly for the first few seasons after it is planted. While the plant is still young it is beneficial for it to be fertilized before the next spring season begins, using fertilizer formulated for roses or fruit trees.  After the first few seasons, the plant will no longer require regular watering because of its resistance to drought, and fertilization will not be required as often. The plants should not be watered in the winter time. Regular pruning and trimming in the spring and summer seasons is required for both the blooms and shrub leaves to maintain desired size and encourage more blooms. Pink oleander should be handled with caution as both the seed and plant are known to be poisonous.

The Cummer is excited to announce that it has recently joined the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Garden Program.  The reciprocal program allows members to visit more than 270 botanical gardens, arboreta and conservatories in 45 states, plus Canada, the Cayman Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, offering special admission privileges and many other benefits.  The reciprocal is included with membership to The Cummer.  Encourage your family and friends to join The Cummer and take advantage of this new membership benefit.

After a few skirmishes with the French in the seventeenth century, especially when the French created Fort Caroline at the northern tip of the River, the Spanish maintained control of the region, albeit not for long.  The Spanish would then loose Florida to the English due to the French and Indian War, at which point the River, along with Florida became a territory under the United States. From then on the River was translated to its modern English name the Saint Johns River.

A tree in disguise as a flower, blossoms into vibrant colors whether different shades of pink, purple, or white on every branch; when several are put together it is as though a wave of color is moving right above everyone’s head.

This magnificent tree originated from the Indian subcontinent, reaching China, South East Asia, and Oceania. The Crepe Myrtle, also known by its Latin and scientific name Lagerstroemia, arrived in England in 1759, but due to the relatively cold weather the Crepe Myrtle refused to bloom, even in the summer time. The American South however, with its characteristic heat and humidity during the summer made it perfect for the Crepe Myrtle to bloom for long periods of time. It was first introduced to the United States in 1786, just a few years after the American Revolution, by Andre Michaux the explorer and botanist to King Louis XVI. When Michaux introduced it to Charleston, South Carolina, it became an instant favorite and icon to the American South.

Currently one can see the iconic Crepe Myrtle all over the City of Jacksonville, and currently in full bloom at The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, decorating the sides of out formal English Garden.

So you won’t go hungry, traditional Fourth of July fare along with beer and wine will be available for purchase from TreeCup Café. You are also welcome to pack your own picnic basket with delicious treats and alcoholic beverages. Doors will open at 6 p.m. so come early to stake out your spot. Then take a trip inside to view a few patriotic artworks before enjoying an amazing Fourth of July Concert at The Cummer!

Tickets are available to members for $10 and to non-members for $20. Tables with reserved seating and gourmet picnic basket for 10 people are available for $400. Please call us at (904) 899-6004 or visit our website to purchase tickets and to get all concert information.

Please note: Fireworks will be presented on the River by the City of Jacksonville and the view from the Gardens is obstructed. Also, the concert will be held rain or shine, so refunds will not be available.

1. Structural pruning (hazard pruning, canopy reduction/thinning) your large trees prior to a hurricane dramatically minimizes the risk/damage that a hurricane can cause the tree and subsequently the structures within proximity of that tree.  The expense to properly prune a tree pro-actively and prior to a storm is far less than it will be in an emergency response situation.
2. Palm pruning (removal of dead fronds and old seed pods) before June 1st.
3. After a hurricane, temporarily turn off your irrigation system to prevent irrigation runoff.
4. Do not apply granular fertilizer or pesticide if a hurricane is forecast. Non-point pollution may not be obvious until rainfall event occurs, leading to storm-water runoff from roads, parking lots, and suburban areas.
5. Secure outdoor objects that might be blown away or uprooted.  Garbage cans, garden tools, toys, signs, porch furniture, and a number of other harmless items may become missiles of destruction in hurricane winds.  Anchor them or store them inside before the storm strikes.
6. Top off all vehicles and equipment with fuel in the event that fuel supply becomes short or service stations are inoperable following the storm.  Ensure that all motorized equipment is securely parked in an elevated area so it will not be damaged from possible flooding.
7. Take numerous photos of your home inside and outside prior to the hurricane’s arrival.  Insurance carriers may require photo documentation of damages and corrective actions resulting from storm related damages.

Scaevola is a genus of flowering plants consisting of more than 130 tropical species, with the center of diversity being Australia and Polynesia, including Hawaii.

The Hawaiian Islands are home to ten Scaevola species, nine of which are unique to their location.  Eight of the indigenous species are the result of a single colonization event. Scaevola glabra and scaevola taccada arrived separately to produce a total of three colonizations of Hawaii by Scaevola.

Common names for Scaevola include fan-flowers, half-flowers, and naupaka, the plant’s Hawaiian name.  Several legends exist to explain the formation of the naupaka’s unique half flower shape.  One version tells the story of a woman who tears the flower in half after a quarrel with her lover.  In return the angry Gods turned all naupaka flowers into half flowers and the two lovers remained separated while the man was destined to search in vain for another whole flower.

Another legend might serve to explain the flower’s proper name.  In the 5^th century BC a young Roman named Gaius Mucius was captured while attempting to assassinate a rival king.  To prove his bravery and his willingness to die for his country, Gaius Mucius placed his hand in a camp fire. For this he and his descendants received the name Scaevola which translates from Latin to mean “left-handed”, a fitting name for a flower that is missing its right half.

Scaevola makes a unique and beautiful addition to the gardens of the Cummer Museum and is worth seeking out the next time you visit.

Vinca, whose name is derived from the Latin vincire (meaning “to bind”) is a genus of flower native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia.  The fact that its name relates to binding probably has to do with the fact that Vinca will take root and spread quickly where it touches the ground, providing good ground cover.  In India the plant is known as Sadaphuli meaning “always flowering”.  In English the name periwinkle is associated with the flower.

The flowers, produced through most of the year are simple and broad, with five usually violet (occasionally white) petals joined together at the base to form a tube. The fruit consists of a pair of divergent follicles; a dry fruit which is dehiscent along one rupture site in order to release seeds

The flowers that make up the Vinca genus also possess medicinal qualities.  Vincristine, extracted from Catharanthus, is a type of chemotherapy called a Vinca alkaloid used to treat some forms of leukemia, lymphomas and childhood cancers, as well as several other types of cancer and some non-cancerous conditions. Vinblastine is a chemical analogue of Vincristine and also used to treat various forms of cancer.

What better flower to bloom in The Cummer Garden when the word derives from Greek meaning orderly, beautiful, and balanced. The Cosmo in bloom can reach up to 2 inches in diameter with vivid colors and a sweet aroma attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Originating in Latin America, priests used to grow Cosmos in their mission gardens. The priests gave the colorful flower its’ name after being impressed by their bloom and balanced petals, claiming that the Cosmos exuded ‘cosmic beauty’. The Cosmos have about 20 species of annual and perennial plants in the same family as sunflowers and daisies.

A Lily You Can Trust. With the heat and humidity that is prominent in Florida, gardens that thrive on color can count on the Agapanthus aka the African Lily or Lily-of-the-Nile to sustain its color throughout the Summer months. The scorching summer months usually cause even the sturdiest perennials to burst and wilt away, but that won’t stop the Agapanthus from keeping its bloom.  It thrives off of the intense heat causing it to sustain itself throughout the Summer making the gardens here at The Cummer more attractive than ever.

Although Mrs. Cummer favored plants that grew in Indiana, they simply could not thrive in the Florida climate. So, as a gift to his bride, Mr. Cummer presented two pots of Agapanthus, which at the time were a rare find in a garden. Since then, the Agapanthus has multiplied beautifully throughout The Upper Garden and the violet blue bulbs can be seen attractively blooming in the month of May.

Today, Lilium longiflorum is cultivated extensively as a cut flower.  Because of its irregular blooming periods it can be forced to bloom during particular times.  Because of its strong ties with the Christian tradition this flower has come to symbolize both the resurrection of Christ and of the Virgin Mary and accordingly is a popular flower at Easter celebrations.

Another interesting aspect of the Easter Lilly is that the trumpet shape of the flower itself demonstrates the Golden Mean in that the rotation of leaves around stem is that ratio which gives each leaf perfect exposure to the sun.

The Gloriosa Lily, also known as the flame lily, fire lily, or glory lily, is from the plant family of Colchicacea, and originates from tropical Africa and Asia.   It is the national flower of Zimbabwe, where it is a protected plant.  The Gloriosa is perennial herb, and is a climbing plant that can reach 3 meters in height.  All parts of the plant contain colchicine, which is toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation if handled.  Propagation generally occurs from seeds, although mature plants can be divided and grown from tubers. The hard seeds can remain dormant for 6-9 months.

Tradescantia, also known as the “Spiderworts”, is a genus of perennials native to the New World from southern Canada south to northern Argentina.  They are weakly upright to scrambling plants, growing to 30–60 cm tall, and are commonly found individually or in clumps in wooded areas and fields.  The leaves are long, thin and bladelike, from 3–45 cm long.  The flowers can be white, pink, or purple, but are most commonly bright blue, with three petals and six yellow anthers.

Tradescantia derives its name from John Tradescant the Elder, the 15^th century English naturalist, gardener, collector and traveler who is credited with discovering it.

The cells of the stamen hairs of some Tradescantia are colored blue, but when exposed to sources of radiation such as gamma rays, the cells mutate and change color to pink.  They are one of the few tissues known to serve as an effective biological indicator for ambient radiation levels.

As a spiderwort that is a native wild flower in Florida they make a fitting addition to the gardens here at The Cummer Museum.

Many think that it is difficult to get amaryllis to re-bloom, but it is actually quite easy.  Start by simply cutting the bloom off once the flower has wilted,  and continue watering until the stalk begins to die.  At this point, trim the stalk, leaving about two inches.  Continue watering and give the plant as much sunlight as possible.  Your flower should re-bloom in the spring.  It is a bit more complicated to force the bloom for winter, but still doable.  For directions on how to do this, take a look at the following post from YumaSun.

The name Amaryllis come from the Greek story about a shepherdess.  As the story goes Amaryllis, along with all the other young ladies in the village, was quite taken with a young shepherd.  His focus was solely on the plants and flowers, so he told each young lady to bring him a flower he had never seenand to her he would give his heart.

Being taken with him as she was, Amaryllis went to the High Priestess for advice on how to win the shepherd’s love.  The Priestess told her to pierce her heart with a golden arrow and walk the same path to his house every day until he fell in love with her.  Every day she walked shedding a little more blood on the path.  On the 30th day she noticed a flower there on the path that she had never seen before.

She picked this beautiful, large bloomed, blood red flower and took it to the shepherd.  When he opened the door he was stunned by the beauty of both the flowers and the young woman.  He named the flower after her and as they say, they lived happily ever after.

Come out to visit all the beautiful flowers we have blooming in the Gardens, learn more about them in our weekly garden posts.

A bumble bee collecting nectar from some salvia blooms.

From April 1st – 30th,  send between one and three photos to asesnick@cummer.org. All appropriate photos will be shared on The Cummer’s Flickr account and on Facebook.

Remember… this is not a contest, but rather a shared photo experience celebrating Gardens, Landscape Architecture, and creative expression.

Written by Margaret Baker, Development Intern

The Daffodil, or Narcissus, as it is technically named, originated in Spain and Portugal and consists of over 50 species and about 13,000 hybrids. The ancient Greeks believed the daffodil plant originated from the vain Narcissus leaving the flower to become a symbol of unrequited love. In Western cultures the daffodil is a symbol of vanity where as in Eastern cultures it is a symbol of wealth and good fortune.

All daffodils have a bell-shaped center -perianth- with a ring of 6 petals -corona- all connected at the base of the perianth. The standard color is a bright yellow but with the numerous species and hybrids, they can be a variation of colors. The perianth and corona are typically identical to one another in color, hence the standard bright yellow daffodil most people come across. Some other species and hybrids have completely contrasting colors making each daffodil unique.

Daffodils that grow in Florida were cultivated over centuries to grow in the hot climate of the state, great for The Cummer Gardens, and once they start growing they do not require much attention.

Jim Draper Painting

“En Plein Air” is a French term meaning “in open air”. Since the mid-19^th Century and the advent of portable painting supplies like the paint tube and “box” easels, artists have taken to the outdoors. The Plein Air movement brought artists out of their studios and into the natural light. It birthed a new type of artist who recorded everyday scenes of life in the colors and light that nature provided and offered artists a new way to approach their painting process. The stiff formality and romanticism of the studio gave way to this entirely new concept resulting in the Impressionism Movement.

In the Marsh

Painters such as Monet, Pissarro and Renoir took to the outdoors using colors and brush strokes that captured sparkling natural light. Works by these artists and others will be on display at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Impressionism and Post-Impressionism from the High Museum of Art, an exhibition that will be on display from February 16^th through May 6^th. Today, plein air painting is enjoying a resurgence. Like the Impressionist masters, open air artists study and paint the light as it appears under different weather conditions and at different times of day. The Cummer will feature plein air artists during Garden Week at the Community Day on March 17 between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Additionally, the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens will host a Plein Air Painting Invitational, “A Brush With Nature” March 29 – 31. Thirty-six of the finest plein air artists that Florida has to offer will set up their easels and spend three days capturing the trails and creeks, the lily pond and its reflections, and all the spectacular flora and fauna experienced at the Jacksonville  Arboretum & Gardens. As we move into spring, now is a wonderful time to get outdoors and experience something new. Visit the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens to view work by the original plein air artists and then meet and observe today’s plein air artists following in the footsteps of Monet at both the Museum and the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens.

As a finale to Garden Week, March 12-17, The Cummer is hosting Garden Family Day on Saturday, March 17th, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please join us for all of the festivities.

• If you haven’t already, check out Impressionism and Post Impressionism from The High Museum of Art. The painting capture the color and light of being in the glorious outdoors.
• Make a garden journal that you can use to sketch plein air–that means you can sketch outside in the gardens.
• Paint a butterfly that you can fly from flower to flower through the gardens.
• Draw a still life in the studio capturing all of the color and forms of garden plants, insects, and statues.
• Complete a scavenger hunt through the garden and win a prize.
• Paint in the garden using a kit from Make Art Now.
• Learn about the gardens through our new garden interactives–listen to an audio tour of the garden, complete a garden family guide, follow the paths of the garden map on your smartphone, take a tour by following a printed guide, and more.

• General Tour
• Horticultural Tour
• Family Tour
• Touch Tour.

These podcasts will be available through iTunes for download and as Guide-by-Cell tours.  If you are at the Museum, you can also access them through QR codes with a smart phone.

The virtual tour can be accessed while strolling through the Gardens with a smart device, or from your home computer.  With this tour you can learn about the Cummer family, the Cummer Oak, and many of the sculptural installations within the Gardens.  There is also a timeline of the history of the Gardens while viewing both recent and archival photos.

Stop by and enjoy the new interactives and all of our fun Garden Week events.

In honor of Garden Week, we have been working with Wingard Creative to develop a whole host of new interactive elements for the Gardens.  As a special way to help our visitors celebrate the Gardens with us, we have put together four different audio tours that will be available through podcast download, QR code, and guide-by-cell.  We hope you will join us in celebrating our beautiful historic Gardens during Garden Week, and always.

This podcast is Touch Tour of the Gardens, and will be available at the front desk, along with large print Garden Guides.

Special thanks to Jason Weinberger for the Creative Commons use of Mozart – Clarinet Concerto in A K. 622, II. Adagio as our background music for the Garden tours.

Listen Now

Get the Podcast

• Suscribe to the Cummer Podcast in iTunes
• Visit the podcast page on our blog
• Subscribe with your own podcast reader
• Download an MP3 of the podcast

What is a Podcast?

A podcast (or non-streamed webcast) is a series of digital audio files that are released episodically and often downloaded through a website. There is a wealth of podcast content available in nearly every subject, from news to storytelling, sports to movies and more. You can visit our podcast page here at blog.cummer.org/podcast.

The scientific name for Delphinium comes from the Latin for dolphin, alluding to the shape of the opening flower, and from the Greek word delphis, a reference to the flower’s resemblance to the bottle-like nose of the dolphin.

This flower makes a stunning addition to the gardens of the Cummer Museum.  Be sure to look for it during our upcoming Garden Week events held from March 12tht through the 17^th.

Justin Martin

Mr. Martin is frequently called upon to lecture on Olmsted, a vitally important American historical figure whose influence is still felt across the nation. Mr. Martin is a former staff writer at Fortune magazine. His articles have appeared in various magazines such as Newsweek, Money, and Conde Nast Traveler, as well as in newspapers across the country:The New York Times, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, and Lawrence (KS) Journal World.

To discuss his various books and articles, Mr. Martin has made a number of national media appearances including NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, CBS Sunday Morning, CNBC Power Lunch, and assorted NPR affiliates.

Tuesday – 6:30 p.m. Speaker Justin Martin.
Author of Genius of Place: The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted, will speak on Olmsted’s historical influences throughout our nation.  This lecture is complimentary to the community.

James Farmer

James was raised “organic” where “farm to table” was a lifestyle before they became popular notions. Growing up, he was taught how to pull things from the family farm and garden to provide much of the food, décor, and flavor in his home. Through the years, James has revitalized old recipes to make them relevant and healthier for contemporary tastes and entertaining.

After forming his landscape design company in 2005, James was asked to consult on an historic Macon, Georgia garden that needed restoration and updating. News spread quickly about James’ work in this important garden, and it was soon featured in The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Southern Living Magazine, Traditional Home and ultimately in the book, “Private Gardens of Georgia.”

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 – 11 a.m.  Speaker James Farmer.
James Farmer’s greatest aspiration is to combine his farm education and academic education with his love for cooking and entertaining.
Member: $65.00
Non-member: $70.00

Saturday, March 17^th is Family Day during Garden Week and will be chock full of exciting educational offerings for both young and old.  We will offer a class on The Biology of Bees, Papermaking using clippings from the garden and Cyanotype Prints – all from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and are for adults. Children ages 6 to 12 will experience Plein Air painting in the Cummer Garden.

Please call Kim Pomar at (904) 899-6038 to pre-register.

His recent projects include two web-based initiatives: What’s Out There? (a searchable database of the nation’s designed landscape heritage) and Cultural Landscapes as Classrooms.

In 2004, Mr. Birnbaum was awarded the Rome Prize in Historic Preservation and Conservation. In 2008 the ASLA awarded Charles the Alfred B. LaGasse Medal and in 2009 the President’s Medal. He is currently a Visiting Professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture Planning + Preservation and a frequent blogger for The Huffington Post.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 – 9.30 a.m. Speaker Charles Birnbaum.
The Founder and President of The Cultural Landscape Foundation, Charles Birnbaum will speak  on cultural landscape stewardship and preservation highlighting connections to Cummer architectural design.
Member: $45.00
Non-member: $50.00

Etcetera designs clothing for stylish, confident women at the top of their game – women that are on the go, known for dressing well, and need fabulous outfits for every occasion. From morning to evening, whether it’s for the boardroom, the ballroom, or the backyard, Etcetera has the versatility and elegance required by today’s accomplished woman.

Thursday, March 15, 2012 – 11 a.m. Fashion in Bloom.
Fashion show by Etcetera. Fashion Show and Luncheon.
Member: $65.00
Non-member: $70

Monday, March 12, 2012 – 6 to 8 p.m. Petals to Paint Opening Night Reception.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 – 11 a.m.  Speaker James Farmer.
James Farmer’s greatest aspiration is to combine his farm education and academic education with his love for cooking and entertaining.
Member: $65.00
Non-member: $70.00

Tuesday – 6:30 p.m. Speaker Justin Martin.
Author of Genius of Place: The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted, will speak on Olmsted’s historical influences throughout our nation.  This lecture is complimentary to the community.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 – 9.30 a.m. Speaker Charles Birnbaum.
The Founder and President of The Cultural Landscape Foundation, Charles Birnbaum will speak  on cultural landscape stewardship and preservation highlighting connections to Cummer architectural design.
Member: $45.00
Non-member: $50.00

Thursday, March 15, 2012 – 11 a.m. Fashion in Bloom.
Fashion show by Etcetera. Fashion Show and Luncheon.
Member: $65.00
Non-member: $70

Friday, March 16, 2012 – 7 to 9 p.m. Garden Concert featuring the Noel Freidline Quintet.
Doors open at 6 p.m.  Guests may bring blankets, chairs, food and alcoholic beverages.
Member: $20.00
Non-member: $25.00

Saturday, March 17, 2012 — Saturday classes and Museum Community Day
Free to the community from noon to 4 p.m.  Enjoy the beauty of The Cummer Gardens on a spring afternoon featuring live music and studio activities.

Saturday Classes – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Reservations Required.  Supplies included.

In addition to our wonderful speakers, luncheons and fashion show, we will have baked goods available from Mrs. Cummer’s Tea Table, daily demonstrations, Master Gardner Tours, and lovely garden items for sale in our Impressionism Exhibition Museum Store.

For reservations or more information, please call Kim Pomar at (904) 899-6038.

Alyssum is a type of annual that flowers for months, even through the winter in milder climates.  It is a hardy native to Southern Europe, but has naturalized throughout the United States.  Although white is the most planted color, pink, lavender, and darker shades of violet are also available.  Dense clusters of these flowers bloom continuously throughout the growing season if the spent blossoms are trimmed back.  A compact, rapid growing flower which is drought tolerant and heat resistant, Alyssum thrives in full sun to partial shade, in almost any soil.

Alyssum grows only a few inches high but spreads as much as a foot in diameter.  As such, Alyssum flowers form a striking border massed together as bedding plants.  Planted in front of taller flowers, sweet alyssum won’t obscure them.

The name “alyssum” derives from the Greek prefix a- (which negates what follows it) and lyssa, “rage.” But our ancestors had a particular “rage” in mind when naming alyssum: rabies.  Alyssum (especially the related yellow alyssum) was used in folk medicine, where it was regarded as an antidote to rabies.

Dianthus are mostly perennial herbs, a few are annual or biennial, and some are low subshrubs with woody basal stems. The leaves are opposite, simple, mostly linear and often strongly glaucous grey-green to blue-green. The flowers have five petals, typically with a frilled or pinked margin, and are (in almost all species) pale to dark pink.

Rosemary is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region.  The name “rosemary” derives from the Latin name rosmarinus, derived from “dew” (ros) and “sea” (marinus), or “dew of the sea”.  According to legend, it was draped around the Greek goddess Aphrodite when she rose from the sea.

Rosemary grows in many locations since it needs no water other than the humidity carried by the sea breeze to live.  And since it is attractive and drought tolerant, Rosemary is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and for xeriscape landscaping, especially in regions of Mediterranean climate.  It is considered easy to grow and pest-resistant, can grow quite large and retain attractiveness for many years, can be pruned into formal shapes and low hedges and has been used for topiary.

Besides the well-known culinary uses for Rosemary it has also been associated with improved memory; even being cited in Shakespeare’s Hamlet for this very attribute.  Modern studies in fact have shown this idea to have some credence in that rosemary produced a significant enhancement of performance for overall quality of memory and secondary memory factors, but also produced an impairment of speed of memory compared to controls.

Salvia derives its name from the Latin salvere “to save”; referring to the long-held belief in the herb’s healing properties.  Pliny the Elder was the first author known to describe a plant called “Salvia” by the Romans, likely describing the type species for the genus Salvia, Salvia officinalis. The common modern English name sage derives from Middle English sawge, which was loaned from Old French sauge, and like the botanical name, stems from Latin salvere.

The leaves of the Salvia flower are typically entire, but sometimes toothed or pinnately divided. The flowering stems bear small bracts, dissimilar to the basal leaves, though in some species they are ornamental and showy.  The flowers are produced in racemes, or panicles, and generally produce a showy display with flower colors ranging from blue to red, with white and yellow less common.

In addition to their decorative value there are varieties of Salvia that are used for medicinal purposes, those for traditional ceremonial purposes and even those used for cooking.  The common Sage belonging to the Salvia family.

The name Pansy refers to a large group of hybrid plants cultivated as garden flowers. They are derived from Viola tricolor hybridized with other viola species.  The Pansy flower is two to three inches in diameter and has two slightly overlapping upper petals, two side petals, and a single bottom petal with a slight beard emanating from the flower’s center. The flower has been produced in a wide range of colors and bi-colors. Pansies may grow to nine inches in height, and prefers sun to varying degrees and well-draining soils.

The name for this beloved flower is derived from the French, pensée (thought), and was bestowed upon the plant for its resemblance to a pensive human face. Fittingly it has appeared throughout history in the works of writers and artists including William Shakespeare, Georgia O’Keeffe, and even J.K. Rowling.  This impressive lineage makes the Pansy an important addition to our gardens.

The Petunia derives its name from the word “petun”, from the Tupi–Guarani language of South America, meaning “tobacco”.  In fact, it is a close relative of the tobacco plant as well as cape gooseberries, tomatoes, deadly nightshades, potatoes and even chili peppers.   It was discovered in South America by the explorer James Tweedie, after whom the genus Tweedia is named, who sent specimens to the Glasgow Botanical Garden in 1831.  Due to their diversity of color and appearance and their hearty nature Petunias have become a popular bedding flower.  They can tolerate relatively harsh conditions and hot climates but grow well in low humidity and moist soil, receiving 5 to 6 hours of sunlight a day.

Antirrhinum derives its name from the ancient Greek meaning literally “like a nose” due to the nose like capsule of the mature plant.  However most people will know this particular flower by its common name, Snapdragon.  This more popular term comes from the resemblance of the plant to a dragon’s mouth when gently squeezed together.

In addition to being an outstanding cut flower Snapdragons are also especially useful since they’re a cool-season annual, coming into their own in early spring and blooming through fall to add shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, and white to the gardens around them.  The next time you visit The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens be sure to look out for this popular addition.

Photo by Amber Sesnick

Written by Matthew Patterson, Visitor Services Associate

The rose has long been a favored subject in art due to its’ natural beauty and its’ rich symbolic history.  Visitors to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens will find roses not only in some of the paintings of the collection but also within our gardens.  Being the national flower of England, our English garden which dates back to 1903, is a fitting home for them.  The particular breed visitors will encounter is called ‘Rêve d’Or’ which translates from the French to mean “Dream of Gold”.  Nearly thornless and displaying a wealth of large, loosely double, buff yellow petals our roses are a valued addition to our collection.

Photo by Amber Sesnick

Photo by Amber Sesnick

The Nierembergia can be seen in both blue and white here in The Cummer Gardens. It makes it a habit to grow neatly and can be used in the front of beds or borders to give your garden a crisp look. The nierembergia is hardy yet tender coming from South America. Their leaves are linear and only up to an inch long while their flowers shape into shallow cups 1-2 inches across. Aside from the blue and white found in The Cummer’s Garden, they can also be found in violet and lilac. Known to bloom in the late Spring until early Fall, right now is the perfect time to catch the Nierembergia in The Gardens.

Photo by Amber Sesnick

Written by Matthew Patterson, Visitor Services Associate

Visitors to the Cummer gardens are rewarded not only with views of the St. John’s River but also with the flowers that make up our landscape.  One flower that visitors will encounter here is the Pentas.  Existing in shades of red, white, lavender, purple, and pink the Pentas bloom all summer long even in the hottest of weather.  This deceptively hardy nature makes Florida the ideal climate for such a flower.  In addition to being pleasing to our eyes the Pentas is also a favorite of butterflies and of hummingbirds, attracting the former by the dozens.  On your next visit to the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens take the time to enjoy this addition to our collection.

Photo by Amber Sesnick

Evening Concert in the Gardens at 6:30 p.m. with the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble 1 under the direction of J. B. Scott.  Playing music from the 40s to today’s hits.  Chairs and blankets are welcome.

FREE Admission all day. 

For more information, please call (904) 355-0630.

The Italian Garden was designed in 1931, after Ninah Cummer had seen the gardens of the Villa Gamberaia. Ellen Biddle Shipman designed the garden to look very similar to the one Mrs. Cummer had seen, and it is one of the few Shipman gardens that is still around today. The layout of the garden highly resembles the original located right outside of Florence, Italy. Shipman was inspired by elements such as the series of arches and the ponds, and included them in the design. Also, leonine sculpture is featured in both gardens. The Lion sculpture in the museum’s garden was actually purchased in Italy by the Cummers in 1930, along with a fountain, which the current one is a replica of. The feet of the marble benches in the garden are decorative lions, and the arms of the chairs are lion’s heads. Both continue the leonine theme. The garden is partially shaded by the beautiful Cummer Oak and has a stunning view of the St. Johns River past the twin ponds and through the ficus-covered gloriette, creating an enchanting experience for the viewer.

Crabapples are intensely sour and tart, much like biting straight into a lemon. Because of the flavor, crabapples are sometimes added to other dishes as a supplement. For example, a few crabapples in a batch of cider can make the end flavor more interesting and complex. They are also pickled for use in chutneys and savory sauces. Also, crabapples contain pectin, which is excellent for helping clear arteries!

Crabapples are considered an “old fashioned” fruit, and you will be hard pressed to find them in stores. So, if you know someone with a crabapple tree in their back yard, take some off of their hands! There are delicious butters, sauces, and jellies to be made.

Oleanders grow well in subtropical regions, and are extensively used as an ornamental plant in landscapes, parks, and along roadsides. They are drought-tolerant and will tolerate occasional light frost. Oleander flowers are showy and fragrant and are grown for those reasons.  However, this beautiful shrub must be handled with care, as it has historically been considered a poisonous plant based on a number of its compounds that exhibit toxicity, especially to animals, when consumed in high amounts.

The Angelonia, resembling a miniature orchid, is a commonly called the summer snapdragon, and once you feast your eyes on it, you’ll know why.  You can see the Angelonia covered in purple flowers at The Cummer, but they also can be seen in pink and white. The Angelonia is one of the tough perennials that thrives off the heat and humidity, a perfect contender for the Jacksonville area, even in the Winter. The Angelonia contains about 30 species native to tropical and subtropical areas. The majority of the species are not known in gardening, but the newest series of Angelonia, the “Angelmist” series has won several “best of the year” awards.

My name is Ariel Lee, I am a thirteen year old visual artist at Lavilla School of the Arts. I thoroughly enjoyed the garden you have at the Cummer. I was pleasantly surprised that you incorporated an out side drawing activity for younger people. While I was there I had the pleasure of being able to sit under the shade of the big weeping willow like tree near the first steps into the garden and draw this. I used the media available and came out with this. I am glad through all of the adversity of the busses being taken away and the fact that they are now trying to take art and music  away in schools that we still have the Cummer to help educate and give our community art. I have enjoyed coming to this museum ever since the age of 6 and sincerely hope it will always be open even after I graduate so that our culture and art will always be alive.Thank you for your time and I thank all the people who spend their time keeping this important museum open.

Sincerely,

Ariel Lee

Zinnias are not your typical flower. They can vary in appearance from a single row of petals, to a dome shape and come in many different colors. The colors that you can see in our Gardens are lemon yellow, pink and coral.  Not to mention they are particularly easy to maintain and are favorites amongst gardeners ranging from novice to avid. Butterflies can’t help but be attracted to their beauty, and neither will you.

Looking for a bright addition to cheer up your day? The Cummer during summer is the right place to be! Impatiens flowers are in full bloom here in our gardens during the summer months. Impatiens are named after the Latin, impatiens, which means “impatient”, because their ripe seed pods will sometimes burst open from even a light touch, scattering seeds into the air, as if they were impatient to open. Impatiens are also sometimes referred to as “jewelweeds”, which could possibly refer to their shiny leaves, particularly after rainfall when the water resting on the leaves reflects light as in a prism. They come in several different color varieties, some of which include pink, white, blue pearl, and coral. These diverse hues of impatiens are featured in both the Italian Garden and the English Garden at the Cummer. Be sure to check out these delightful flowers while they are still in bloom!

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Amelia & Jeremy Tucker

Married on 5/14/11

Ceremony and Reception at The Cummer Museum

Jeremy and I both grew up in Jacksonville and we both took field trips The Cummer as children. When we were deciding on a venue, we really thought the Cummer would be a beautiful place to get married that was close to home. Not to mention it is, by far, the most gorgeous venue in Jacksonville, hands down. The day of our wedding was rainy right up until an hour before the ceremony. Even when it was raining everything was absolutely beautiful.

The Cummer is really one of Jacksonville’s hidden gems to outsiders. If you haven’t lived in Jacksonville for long, you probably don’t know of the museum. The Cummer’s art collection and gardens could both stand alone, but complement each other beautifully. Our guests couldn’t stop talking about it. Many who were out of town, couldn’t believe they hadn’t ever heard of the Cummer, and the locals also saw the Cummer in a whole new light.

The staff is wonderful and I never had any issues with contacting and clarifying details. It was everything we wanted our wedding to be and more. The experience was phenomenal. Thank you!

The flowers and decor at this wedding were designed by Aime Peterson Flowers and Events.

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Photo by Lauren Kinsey

Cummer Oak, 2008, Photograph courtesy of Greg Lepera.

“It is the largest and oldest living thing in Riverside.” – Wayne Wood

There are three types of Begonias: Tuberous, Perennials, and Semeperflorens (the most common), and all types will grow to be about 6 to 9 inches tall. Depending on the type, you can stumble upon red, white, pink or yellow varieties; the common trait between all colors is the bright yellow center.

Tropical flowers, begonias thrive in a range of sunlight from full sun to shade. They do not like frost in the spring or fall! Begonias love attention; removing dead flowers, leaves, and stems keeps them beautiful.

Photo by Amber Sesnick

The plants are large and the broad, flat, alternate leaves grow out of a stem in a long, narrow roll and then unfurl. The flowers are typically red, orange, yellow, or any variation of those bright, warm colors, and can add dramatic emphasis to any garden. Although these flowers are popular with gardeners, nature intended them to attract pollinators, namely bees and hummingbirds.

Photo by Amber Sesnick

What makes the Canna so unique is its myriad of non-agricultural uses. Interestingly, the seeds from Canna flowers are often used as beads in jewelry and as the mobile elements of the kayamba, a musical instrument from France, as well as the hosho, a ground rattle from Zimbabwe. Cannas can be fermented to produce alcohol, used to make purple dye, and fibers obtained from the leaves can be used to make paper. Furthermore, in Thailand Cannas are a traditional gift for Father’s Day.

Photo by Amber Sesnick

Photo by Amber Sesnick

by Kristen Hyers

The beautiful Hydrangea originates in southern and eastern Asia, as well as North and South America.  Most are shrubs 1 to 3 meters tall, but some can grow to become small trees, and others can be lianas reaching up to 30 meters by growing up trees.

No other group of shrubs has undergone such a renewal as the hydrangea has undergone.  Over the past few decades hydrangeas have been disregarded as dependable, unexciting shrubs whose big, pale flower heads make a useful fill-in for the summer garden.  But in the past several years hydrangeas have been re-introduced by a Midwestern plant breeder as Endless Summer, a compact, Bigleaf Hydrangea that bears beautiful puffs of blue-edged pink blossoms for six full months in mild-weather conditions.  This success has prompted the introduction of other Hydrangeas (Blushing Bride, Quick Fire) and has inspired gardeners to take another look at these neglected treasures.

Luckily, these newly introduced, innovative Hydrangeas have not affected the long-lived durability of the species.  They adapt well to conditions ranging from shade to sun and are also the ideal shrub for enclosing around a summer garden.  When it has reached autumn the flowers age beautifully, changing to rosy tints that compliment the season perfectly.

May 11, 2012 is National Public Gardens Day.  This national day of awareness invites members of the community to get involved and learn more about the impact their local gardens have on their community.  National Public Gardens Day, now in its third year, was created by a partnership between the American Public Gardens Association and Rain Bird.  You can visit the Better Homes & Gardens website to download a voucher for FREE admission to dozens of gardens around the country.

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is participating in this deal.  All you have to do is visit the website above, print out your voucher, and enjoy a free day of art and gardens.  We will be offering docent lead tours of the gardens at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm on May 6th.  We hope you will join us in this celebration of our Gardens!  We also have some new Interactives to go along with the Gardens, including four audio tours, an interactive online map, a Family Guide, and a Garden Guide.  For more information click here.

Italian Fountain, recast in 2001 by Marble Studio Stagetti in Pietrasanta, Italy, April 2004. Photograph courtesy of Mick Hales, Greenworld Pictures Inc.

“Sitting in the garden is so peaceful and the view of the river is really beautiful”  –Katie Horton Taylor

“About 5 years ago, my husband proposed to me in the garden area under the covering of the building on a rainy day and it was beautiful….”  –Brooke Rojas

The Cummer Gardens are a rare thing of beauty, set in the heart of Jacksonville.  Historically preserved since they were managed by the Museum’s founder, Ninah May Holden Cummer, they are still true to the design she left.  The Gardens feature an English and an Italian formal garden with a green lawn in between.  They are unique examples of early 20th Century garden design, and have been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.   The Cummer Oak, one of the most striking features of the Gardens, boasts the title of being one of the oldest trees in Jacksonville at approximately 200 years old.  It is a live oak tree with a canopy of over 150 ft.  Words, however, do not do the Gardens justice, so here are some more pictures!

This was not, of course, their primary use.  The plant is one of the most poisonous plants to be used in general landscaping.  While quite lovely, it is not advisable to grow them in an area where children play unattended.  Like many other poisonous plants, Foxglove was used by early medical practitioners, and continues to me used in some heart medications.

Foxgloves are biennial plants, meaning that they will bloom for two years.  Though if properly maintained, they may last longer.  During the first year, you will get leaves in a rosette near the ground, and in the second year you will get a 2-5′ spike with many of tubular blooms.  Foxgloves grow best is partial shade, and well drained, acidic soil.  Because of their height, they work well toward the back of the planting area.  They are also excellent for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, which are both beautiful and beneficial additions to any garden.

It is very important that you plant Foxgloves in a well drained area and space them properly.  They are susceptible to crown rot, powdery mildew disease, and leaf spots if they are not planted properly.

2011 Garden Week at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens was a huge success! Over 2,500 guests enjoyed our lectures by Nancy Clarke and Bev Church, floral displays arranged by local designers, a Garden Concert by Noel Freidline, the Fashion Show by Linda Cunningham, hands on workshops and Family Day.

Our Garden Week chairs Judy D’Antignac and Anne Meyer put together a week of events that had something for everyone.  Dee Loop created all of the beautiful floral arrangements for our luncheons and designed the paver wall in the Lobby.  The flowers in our Lobby display were generously donated by Anita’s Garden Shop.

Arrangement by Benita Boyd & Sonya Petit

The Petals to Paint event was our Monday night kick-off.  Our guests enjoyed a cocktail party in the Upper Gardens with live music and floral interpretations of our collection by local floral designers.  The floral displays were artistic interpretations of art in our permanent collection.  The displays remained in our galleries all week for our guests to enjoy.  Our floral arrangers were Benita Boyd and Sonja Petit, Mary Lew Esdale of Distinctive Designs, Ann Evans of Cypress, Karen McCombs, Sally Simpson, Arlene Swindell of Arlene’s Designs and Bill Wilson of Wilson Limited.  Each designer showcased their personal and distinctive style to make their arrangements unique and special.

Nancy Clarke Luncheon

Our Tuesday lecture and lunch was with retired White House Chief Floral Designer Nancy Clarke.  Nancy began working at the White House as a volunteer 30 years ago and has worked closely with every President and First Lady for the past 30 years to make the White House look its best and welcome visitors and dignitaries.  Our guests enjoyed viewing a display of some of the arrangements Mrs. Clarke created for State Dinners and special occasions both at the White House and Camp David.  In keeping with her gracious style, our guests enjoyed a selection of tea sandwiches and tea for our luncheon.

Bev Church Book Signing

Bev Church was our Wednesday speaker, sponsored by Carolyn Marsh Lindsay and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Watson.  To celebrate her New Orleans heritage, our guests enjoyed  beignets, quiche Lorraine with Chicory Coffee.   Bev had several tables decorated with fun and exciting displays showcasing her fun, upbeat style.  Along with a presentation of parties Bev has created for friends and clients, she shared many amusinganecdotes about how she gets her ideas and brings them to life.

Fashion Show Models in Evening Gowns

On Thursday, our guests were treated to a wonderful fashion show by Linda Cunningham.  Our Fashion Show and Luncheon was sponsored by Monica and Bob Jacoby.  Linda’s couture line evokes femininity and sophistication with a tasteful touch of whimsy.   Along with our Fashion Show, we held a Chance Drawing of a necklace donated by jeweler Lillian Ostergard.  Linda’s collection was modeled by Hilton Ball, Joann Cellar, Alice Coughlin, Diane Diffenderfer, Susan Keller, Laura Magevney, Hope McMath, Rochelle Proctor, Lena Rouleau and Ellie Zimmerman.  Our lovely models had a fun time on the runway wearing Linda’s collection to the delight of the audience and they wore the clothes beautifully!

Noel Freidline Concert in the Gardens

Our Friday night Garden Concert with The Noel FreidlineQuintet was a bit hit! Our sponsor for Friday night was CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Inc. The weather was gorgeous and our guests enjoyed sitting in our gardens listening to the jazz stylings of local favorite Noel Freidline.  Several guests shared that Noel had played at their wedding reception.  The gardens were lit, the moon was full and our guests danced under the stars, it was a magical evening!

Plein Air Painting in the Gardens with Ellen Diamond

Saturday had something for everyone.  Evie Pankok, the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program Assistant in Duval County taught a class on Vermiculture.  Artist Ellen Diamond led a day of plein aire painting in our gardens.  For our younger artists, a class called “My Digital Garden” was offered for children ages 6 to 12.  In addition to our workshops, the museum hosted Free Family Day.  JAX ART HUNT hid some pictures in our gardens and Arbus Magazine posted stories and photos on their Facebook Page.  Our guests enjoyed live music and fun projects both inside the museum and outside in our lovely gardens.

Guests enjoying the Gardens

Garden Week is our sole fundraiser for our historic gardens.  The funds raised from Garden Week are dedicated to the restoration of our Olmsted Garden.  Without the generosity and support of our donors and sponsors, we could not host Garden Week at The Cummer.  We would like to thank our Garden Week sponsors and donors, along with everyone who attended Garden Week, for their generous support.  Together we are fulfilling Ninah Cummer’s dream of making The Cummer “a place of beauty and culture for all.”

Thank you to all of our wonderful Garden Week sponsors!

Agility Press, Inc.,  Mrs. C. Kirby Alexander,  American Hospice,  Mrs. William E. Arnold, Jr.,  Mr. and Mrs. Willis M. Ball III,  Sue Root Barker / Root Photography,  Brady S. Johnston Perpetual Charitable Trust,  CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Inc.,  Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Doherty,  Jennifer Duke,  Mrs. Robert Hinckley,  jacksonville.com,  Monica and Bob Jacoby,  Mrs. John B. Kent,  Carolyn Marsh Lindsay,  Mrs. Tom McKenzie, Jr.,  Mr. and Mrs. L. Craig Merritt,  Mr. and Mrs. Alex A. Meyer,  Omni Hotel Jacksonville,  Lillian Ostergard,  Mary and Jerry Pietan,  Scott-McRae Group | Duval Dealers,  Sight & Sound Productions, Inc.,  Studio Orange Design,  The Chef’s Garden,  The Florida Times-Union,  & Frank and Mary Watson.

We will have art-making activities in our studios, live musical entertainment, a nature sensory journal station, storytime in the Gardens, flower pot painting, and a butterfly collage mural.

Also enjoy classes and workshops on Saturday.  From 10-11:30 am Evie Pankok will be leading Vermiculture – The Art of Making Compost Tea, $5 for members and non-members.  From 10 am-4 pm Ellen Diamond will lead a plein air Garden Painting class, $80/members and $95/non-members.  From 10:30a-12:30p children ages 6-12 can enjoy a digital photography class (bring your own camera), $10/members & $15/non-members.  For more information or to register for any classes, please call Kim Pomar at 904-899-6038.

Image Credit: Pergola with Concrete and Mosaic Fountain by William Mercer, Jr., English Garden, July 2005. Photograph courtesy of Mick Hales, Greenworld Pictures Inc.

Garden Week kicks off on Monday night with the Petals to Paint reception from 6 to 8 p.m., where guests can enjoy an evening in our gardens with floral interpretations of our art collection in several galleries. Members are $65 and Non-members are $70.

On Tuesday, March 15 at 11 a.m., our speaker is former White House Chief Floral Designer Nancy Clarke, who created decorations and floral arrangements for six American Presidents and First Ladies. Enjoy a luncheon following the lecture. Members are $65 and Non-members are $70.

On Wednesday, March 16 at 9:30 a.m. our speaker is New Orleans author, designer and magazine editor Beverly Church. Church demonstrates how to create Seasonal Celebrations with flowers in the lecture and will also speak about her experience creating galas for major corporations.  Members are $40 and Non-members are $45.

Join us on Thursday, March 17 at 11 a.m. for a preview of this spring’s styles at Fashion in Bloom with Linda Cunningham. Experience a New York style runway show featuring pieces from Cunningham’s Couture Spring 2011 Collection as well as some contemporary and classic sportswear. Enjoy a luncheon following the fashion show. Members are $65 and Non-members are $70.

On Friday at 6 p.m., The Noel Freidline Quintet will perform in the historic Cummer Gardens sponsored by CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Inc.  A Jacksonville favorite, The Quintet is known for its signature sound combining innovative arrangements with masterful musicianship and infectious enthusiasm. Admission for the concert is $10 for Members and $15 for Non-members.

On Saturday, March 19 we are offering several classes and are hosting a free Museum Family Day from Noon to 4 p.m.

In addition to these wonderful events, we are also offering jewelry sales by Lillian Ostergard, Garden Tours and delicious items for sale from Mrs. Cummer’s Tea Table.

The Cummer Museum Store in the Loggia will feature local artist Ellen Diamond.  The store will offer featured garden books, A Tale of Two Gardens and A Legacy in Bloom: Celebrating a Century of Gardens at The Cummer along with many unique garden items, accessories and gift ideas.

Capacity is limited. Your personal check, credit card or PayPal order is your reservation. Programs will be provided to attendees during Garden Week.

For more information, please visit our website at or contact Kim Pomar at (904) 899-6038.

Sponsors: Agility Press, Inc., Mrs. C. Kirby Alexander, American Hospice, Mrs. William E. Arnold, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Willis M. Ball III, Sue Root Barker / Root Photography, Brady S. Johnston Perpetual Charitable Trust, CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Doherty, Jennifer Duke, Mrs. Robert Hinckley, jacksonville.com, Monica and Bob Jacoby, Mrs. John B. Kent, Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, Mrs. Tom McKenzie, Jr., Mrs. Roxie H. Merrill, Mr. and Mrs. L. Craig Merritt, Mr. and Mrs. Alex A. Meyer, Omni Hotel Jacksonville, Mary and Jerry Pietan, Scott-McRae Group | Duval Dealers, Sight & Sounds Productions, Inc., Mrs. Bryan Simpson, Mr. and Mrs. G. Barry Skitsko, Mr. and Mrs. B. DeWitt Storm, Studio Orange Design, The Chef’s Garden, The Florida Times-Union, The Tremron Group, Joan and Jim Van Vleck and Frank and Mary Watson

“You won’t find another band that swings as hard as the Noel Freidline Quintet. Their exhuberant set flows through fresh interpretations of mainstream jazz standards, blues and pop tunes so effortlessly that audiences not only are left tapping their toes, but standing and cheering for more. That’s one reason why this immensely talented ensemble has built up a following that returns night after night.”

- Vic DiGenti, eight-year executive producer, Jacksonville Jazz Festival

The members of the Noel Freidline Quintet are experienced educators and clinicians and firmly believe that to keep something you have to give it away. As clinicians they have spread their wealth of knowledge and experience from the University of North Florida to an artist-in-residency program at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. They have developed several series of educational programs, ranging from interactive presentations for school-age children, to lecture/concerts for collegiate and community audiences, to workshops for fine arts performers and clinics and workshops specifically geared toward musicians.

The Noel Freidline Quintet will be performing in the Gardens on Friday, March 18th, from 7pm-9pm.  Check out our 50th website for more information, or call 904-355-0630.

Please pardon our dirt! In an effort to maintain the historical integrity of the Italian Garden, which is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places, The Cummer has just finished the process of replacing all the cypress in the garden.

In the last year, several of the trees needed to be removed due to problems that caused disfigurement, and those holes remained empty until we were able to find a perfect set of matching cypress. Thanks to our friends at Monrovia Nursery for their help!

Stay tuned for our improvements at the Art Connections entrance!

The stretch of cold weather should be no deterrent to visiting the Cummer Gardens.  Even when the landscape isn’t awash in blooms, there is still beauty to be found throughout this idyllic space on the bank of the St. Johns River.

The mythical “Diana of the Hunt” beckons us to aim for the heavens…

…while the “Two Children with a Goose” keep us grounded with their playful and sweet affection.

Prominent sculptures are not the only gems throughout the gardens – passages, shrubbery, walkways, and walls offer beautiful creations.

From a gargoyle…

…to a cowardly lion…

…even fountain faces are there to greet the keen observer.

The Cummer Gardens offer a wealth of unique and inspiring treasures that will delight visitors year-round, proof that art isn’t just inside the Museum!

More of Megan’s photos can be seen on Flikr.  If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger for The Cummer, please email asesnick@cummer.org for more information.

Anna Hyatt Huntington (American, 1876 - 1973), Diana of the Hunt, 1922; recast 1960, bronze, 98 in., Gift of Anna Hyatt Huntington, AG.1961.15.1.

Diana, huntress, defender of the forest, protector of virgins and women, guardian of the weak and vulnerable, emblem of chastity, archetype of femininity and feminism, twin to Apollo, and lunar goddess.  Diana is most often depicted as a huntress carrying a bow and arrows.  She is also attributed with a faun or a hunting dog at her side, and a moon either on her head or under her feet.  Though venerated in both Greek and Roman mythology, Diana is thought to have an earlier origin as Artemis Ephesus the Great Mother Goddess from which all creation came.  Over the centruies, she has been known by many other names, including Artemis, Potnia Theron, Agrotera, Locheia, and Phoebe.

Anna Hyatt Huntington’s bronze sculpture, Diana of the Hunt, is a focal point in the Cummer’s Gardens.  As you walk out the doors of the Loggia and down the colonnade, you can’t help but be drawn to the graceful beauty of this dynamic figure.  Huntington’s skill is remarkable, in her ability to show movement and strength in the figure.  She was an innovative and prolific American sculptor, known for her naturalistic animals and figures, and her equestrian statues.

In 1960, while the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens was still under construction, Hyatt Huntington offered to have her sculpture of Diana recast so that it could be placed in the future gardens of the museum.  This version was cast by the Modern Art Foundry of New York and is not signed or dated.  The artist had a long history of installing her sculptures in gardens.  She and her late husband Archer Huntington fully conceived and decorated Brookgreen Gardens, one of their estates in South Carolina.

View through the English Garden to the St. Johns River, c. 1958, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Archives.

Center Walkway, English Garden, July 2005. Photograph courtesy of Mick Hales, Greenworld Pictures Inc.

About one year ago, The Cummer Museum Gardens were recognized in the National Register of Historic Places.  Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. Since its inception in 1966, more than 80,000 properties have been listed in the National Register.  Together these records hold information on more than 1.4 million individual resources–buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects–and therefore provide a link to the country’s heritage at the national, state, and local levels.

Woodward Studio, Panorama of the Italian Garden, 1936, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Archives.

Reflecting Pool, Italian Garden, with Fountain and Gloriette in background, July 2005. Photograph courtesy of Mick Hales, Greenworld Pictures Inc.

“Being listed in the National Register of Historic Places is a wonderful legacy,” said Holly Keris, Cummer Curator.  “Although The Cummer has recognized the significance of the Gardens for a long time, it is great to have others recognize it as well.  It is fitting that the museum recently changed its mission statement to include the important role our Gardens can play “to engage and inspire” our community.”

Fountain and gloriette in the Italian Garden, c. 1963, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Archives.

Fountain, recast in 2001 by Marble Studio Stagetti in Pietrasanta, Italy, April 2004. Photograph courtesy of Mick Hales, Greenworld Pictures Inc.

The Cummer Gardens are unique examples of early 20^th century garden design and many important landscape architects played significant roles in their development.  Among them were Ossian Cole Simonds, a prominent Midwestern landscape architect who gave the preliminary form to The Cummer Gardens in 1903; Thomas Meehan and Sons, a Philadelphia firm that designed the formal Gardens; Ellen Biddle Shipman, the “Dean of American Women Landscape Architects,” designed the Italian Gardens; and the fabled Olmsted Firm of Massachusetts, which was involved in later phases of landscape improvements.

Please stop by and enjoy the serenity, beauty, and historical significance of our Gardens.

A folly is a piece of architecture in a garden that is built primarily as decoration, often with no actual purpose.  In the 18th century, English gardens often featured Roman temples, which symbolized classical virtues or ideals.  Other styles often utilized are Chinese temples, ruined abbeys, rustic villages, and mills.  Many gardeners choose to represent a particular country with an iconic piece of architecture, or a piece with a significant symbolic value.

In our Italian Garden, we have a brick wall and folly at the edge of the property.  It holds a small room, about the size of a small closet, with a wrought iron gate in the doorway.  Ours is a folly with no true purpose, but it does add to the charming atmosphere, and effectively separated Mrs. Ninah Cummer’s garden from her sister-in-law Mrs. Clara Cummer’s garden.

Check back to learn more about our gardens every Thursday!

Camellia Japonica

Did you know that there are over 800 kinds of Camellias?  Me either, until I.  started the research for this article.  In our gardens we have the Camellia Japonica and the Camellia Sasanqua or Christmas Camellia.

The Camelia Japonica blooms in the winter or early spring, and has large leaves and flowers.  The Camellia Sasanqua blooms in the fall and has smaller, darker leaves with a smaller flower.  These are also hardier and more drought-tolerent than the Camellia Japonica.  Both are very commonly chosen by home gardeners, and are not difficult to grow.

Camellia Sasanqua

Camellias are native to eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalaya to east Korea and Indonesia.  The plant is considered an evergreen shrub, meaning that the plant stays full and green all year, and most times of year you can even find at least one or two blooms.  The flowers are usually large and conspicuous, up to 6 inches in diameter.  The colors vary from white through pink to red, and in a few species yellow.  The plant usually has a moderate growth rate of about a foot per year until they mature.  In order for the flowers to bloom, the temperatures must drop to about 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Camellias aren’t just pretty though, they actually have a number of practical uses. 

• The camellia sinensis, or tea plant, is the most famous and is used commercially for its tea leaves. 
• Tea oil is a sweet seasoning and cooking oil that comes mostly from the seed of the Oil-seed and Japanese camellias.  This is the most used cooking oil for millions of people, especially in southern China. 
• The camellia parasite Mycella sterile produces a metabolite used in pharmaceutical production.

Check back regularly to see what’s blooming out in the gardens!

We have two of these trees in our Italian Garden and get questions about this little fruit on a near daily basis.  Are those kumquats?  Can I taste one of those things?  I’ve never seen anything quite like this, what is it?  I want one of these trees, where do I get one?

The picture above is of a fruit tree called Calamondin.  The fruit, of the same name, is also referred to as an acid orange, Chinese orange, or Panama orange, and is a little bigger than a quarter.  This tree was developed in Southeast Asia, where it is very popular, especially in the Philippines.  It is a cross between either tangerines or Mandarin oranges and the small oval kumquat.  The exact origins of this, and most citrus, is unknown because it was developed so long ago.

This little fruit looks and smells great, but it is not so good for snacking on.  The most common use of the calamondin fruit is to flavor foods and drinks.  The peel is sweet, but the fruit itself has a very bitter or sour taste on its own.  Putting the whole fruit in your mouth can lead to a very confusing taste.  However, there are many uses for the calamondin orange.  It makes a great jam or a lemonade type beverage, and the fruit can actually be frozen whole and used as ice cubes in teas or ginger ale.  It can also be used to make a liqueur that is often combined with vodka and sugar.

In the US, the calamondin is typically grown as an ornamental plant.  It is very sensitive to frost, so only grows well in the warmer climates of Florida, California, south Texas, and Hawaii.  However, if you live in a colder climate, your can keep the plant potted, and bring it indoors in the winter.

Locally, you can find the calamondin tree at Gore’s Nursery, on New Kings Road.

It’s the Holidays!  The kids are out of school.  The relatives are coming to town.  Why not enjoy the beautiful Cummer Gardens by getting the whole family involved in a garden scavenger hunt?

  Read the following clues, come out to the Gardens, and see how many garden items you can find for yourself:

Garden Scavenger Hunt

1. Standing proudly in the middle of the gardens with my dog at my feet, I point this object into the sky. _____________

2. The garden is like a rainbow. Find something that grows for each color in the rainbow.

3. I am a mosaic* crab who lives at the bottom of a fountain in which garden?

4. My limbs stretch out over the gardens in a huge embrace. I am the famous Cummer ______  tree.

*a mosaic is made by putting pieces of tile or glass together to create a picture.

Gate into English Garden

Gargoyle, Italian Garden

New Bloom

“26…27…28 dragonflies!” My young friend shouted out completely unaware of the other 19 students in the Garden. And why not? The sun was glistening, the breeze was cool, and the birds even seemed to be singing in joy. Now, before you start getting the idea that I am describing a scene from Mary Poppins consider spending a cool winter morning in The Cummer Gardens. I think it is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Jacksonville – and I work here.

The Education Department kicked off the fall tour series with a new garden tour called Plants and Paintbrushes for elementary students that fully incorporates The Cummer Gardens into our core mission to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens, and education. And, boy, do the kids love it!

If you are thinking that the kids get to have all of the fun, think again! The Cummer Gardens are here for all to enjoy. You can explore the plant life; grab a paint set from the Make Art Now cart and paint a colorful landscape; or simply sit and count dragonflies.