| Dear Friends: I wanted
the opportunity to address everyone that I have come into contact with in the last four
years, in regard to my research and work to preserve my great-grandfather's old place in Gotha,
Fl (once known as Palm Cottage Gardens). First to thank
those whom have been supportive of this old noble place and the history that happened on
the grounds of the garden. I believe I have done an above average job in documenting
the history of the old place and its importance in relationship with our beautiful Florida
landscape. I would like to recap for everyone one final time, why I think the old
place is truly worth preserving.
1) Dr. Henry Nehrling first planted the garden in 1890 making it one
of Florida's first experimental botanical gardens.
2) At the garden over three thousand new and rare plants were tested for the
USDA/Florida.
3) Over 300 new and beneficial plants were introduced into Florida's landscape on the
grounds of the garden, and later the garden in Naples.
4) Caladium plants were also introduced into Florida at the garden in
Gotha, and over fifty new varieties were hybridized. Today the Caladium Industry is
worth more than 13 million dollars to Florida. The Nehrling hybrid caladiums were
the foundation for the caladium industry.
5) The old garden in Gotha was a must see for thousands of tourists, writers, nature
lovers and new settlers into Central Florida at the turn of the century. In 1917 the
famous botanical explorer Dr. David Fairchild called Palm Cottage
Gardens, the most interesting place in Florida. The old garden was also visited by Theodore
Roosevelt, John Borroughs, Liberty Hyde Bailey,
Charles Torrey Simpson and many other notable men and women of that era.
6) Dr. Henry Nehrling's writings describe the history that took place at his two
gardens. Additionally he describes in full detail valuable information about
Florida's horticultural beginnings. HN also wrote one of Florida's first weekly
gardening columns through the American Eagle (1921-1929).
7) Many of the plants, trees, shrubs and vines that were introduced through Palm
Cottage Gardens were from other famous gardens, including the White House Gardens,
the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Hong Kong Botanical Gardens,
the Missouri Botanical Gardens, & NY Botanical Gardens.
8) Today only a couple of the old gardens that were planted at the turn of the century
still survive. Six of the original forty acre garden are still intact in Gotha,
along with an old Florida Cracker Home built in the 1880s.
9) Today some of the Palms, Bamboo's, Magnolias,
Cedars, and a few other large trees that were planted by HN still stand
on the old garden site.
10) By preserving Palm Cottage Gardens, we also preserve our horticultural history, the
ceaseless efforts of HN and other men, and women, who helped pioneer a booming Florida
horticultural industry.
The first time I met my second cousin, Mr. Werner Nehrling of
Savannah, GA, I was told the story of my great-grandfather's old botanical gardens.
Werner, who is now close to ninety years old and has an excellent mind, was able to tell
me many wonderful stories about his grandfather, and his work as a pioneer Florida
horticulturist.
The first time I met my second cousin, Mr. Werner Nehrling of
Savannah, GA, I was told the story of my great-grandfather's old botanical gardens.
Werner, who is now close to ninety years old and has an excellent mind, |
was
able to tell me many wonderful stories about his grandfather, and his work as a pioneer
Florida horticulturist. Werner remembered vividly the time he and Grandma Nehrling went
to visit Thomas Edison. Henry was doing experimental work for Edison and
apparently had not been paid in a while, and Grandma Nehrling along with young Werner went
to visit Edison and collect money that was due for Henry's work. Werner also was
privileged to hear first hand accounts of his grandfather's adventures in the Florida
wilderness from his father Werner, Sr.
I was also told of Henry's old garden in Naples, Fl now known as Jungle Larry's
Caribbean Gardens. The old garden in Naples is still around and that was where my
research began (1995), and continued to this day (February 28, 1999). I was amazed to
learn about this old Florida history, and knew I had to do something to preserve one of
his old gardens. It was disappointing to learn that there was nothing at either location
to mark my great-grandfather's pioneering work and contributions to Florida. I just knew
that once everyone heard about this old place in Gotha, and that it still exists there,
that it would surely be saved.
Well, four years later and I am still calling, writing letters, e-mailing and sending
out information about this old historic garden. The old place was due to be bulldozed back
in 1979 when the current owner (Mrs. Barbara Bochiardy) and her late husband (Howard)
rescued the old place. As fate would have it, the property fell into the hands of
another plant lover, and she has cared for the old place for nearly twenty years now.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Bochiardy can no longer take care of the old home and property,
and we are now at another crossroad, she and I are hopeful that the time has come to
permanently preserve this noble place.
My great-grandfather loved Florida, and his old books sing Florida's praises on every
page. I had hoped that if all of us pull together we could surely find the means to save
this little pocket of State history. To be completely honest, I feel I can do no more, and
if it is not preserved then it just was not meant to be. I would encourage anyone who has
not taken a few minutes to review the information I have mailed to you to please do so.
Most of my great-grandfather's papers reside in the archives at Rollins College,
some at the University of Central Florida, and some at the Koreshan
Foundation in Estero. I would also encourage anyone who is interested to visit
one of these archives, if your interested in Florida's landscape than it would be a
rewarding visit.
I would like to close my message with a quote from My Garden In Florida...
"The foregoing notes represent a part of my latest conclusions on
horticulture in Florida, after thirty years of practice and experiments on
my own ground, at my own expense, and with no other object in view than to
promote by precept and example the cultivation and enjoyment of tropical and
subtropical plants as the noblest, the most delightful and most satisfactory
of all earthly pursuits and pleasures." Dr. Henry Nehrling- 1920s
Your support is needed to accomplish the goals we hope to realize in saving an
important part of Florida's history.
God Bless,
Richard Nehrling
Nehrling Index
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