Guest Post by Debbie Jordan

Recently, Holbrook hosted a small group of travelers from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. It’s always great to be with our clients in the field, and this time even more special to be showing them some of the wonders of our home state of Florida.  Conservation and nature were the key themes of this 8-day program, and we learned and saw so much in the Everglades and on Florida’s Gulf Coast. To cap off a wonderful trip, we spent our last afternoon and farewell dinner at a very unique place in southwest Miami, north of Homestead—an area known as the Redland.

Photo by Sandy Schmidt

Photo by Sandy Schmidt

To describe Patch of Heaven as “unique” is a major understatement! The word does not really encompass the truly unusual, surprising and unexpected nature of these 20 acres in the middle of giant nursery operations and other human development in this formerly forested part of Florida.

Photo by Debbie Jordan

Photo by Sandy Schmidt

That afternoon, Fred Hubbard (Executive Director) and Roberto del Cid (Director of Horticulture) took us on an unforgettable tour, describing how this place came to be and the incredible work they have done over the last 13 years to create something so beautiful and beyond imagination.

Photo by Debbie Jordan

Photo by Debbie Jordan

Holbrook’s connection with Fred and Roberto began back in the early ‘90s with Sandy Schmidt, my longtime Holbrook colleague. Sandy met them via “plant friends” and their mutual alumni status in the Horticulture department at the University of Florida (UF), located in Holbrook’s hometown of Gainesville. They have remained close friends ever since. I’d hear her talking about this special project they were working on in South Florida, but until I actually saw it, I had no conception.

Photo by Debbie Jordan

Photo by Debbie Jordan

Patch of Heaven started with the vision of Bruce and Joyce Chesney, who purchased the former 1960s  private estate in 2008. They commissioned Fred to take over the restoration of the dilapidated, tropical hardwood forest, as well as design a beautiful garden that was in keeping with the property. Fred started designing and building incredible gardens, including ponds and grottos, incorporating native species throughout, while showcasing some of the Chesneys’ private collection of statuary from around the world. One project led to another, with Roberto’s continued assistance throughout, and 14 years of hard work later, this wonderland is a sight to see.

Photo by Debbie Jordan

Photo by Debbie Jordan

Environmental education is a key goal, and numerous school and youth groups visit each year. Fred has a master’s degree in Education, which has been an excellent addition to his role at the garden. Besides the amazing forest and gardens, the executive team wanted to provide additional assistance for the wildlife inhabiting the area, including Florida’s endangered bonneted bat, bees, butterflies and birds—which they have done so beautifully. In cooperation with UF, they built a state-of-the-art bat house in 2018, which they say is the largest in the state. Plans are in the works to rebuild because sadly, in 2019 the bat house was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.

Photos by Debbie Jordan and Sandy Schmidt

Photos by Debbie Jordan

They are also working on a butterfly habitat and nursery, and they have just finished a lovely lagoon for wading birds and fish. There are “hotels” for nesting orchid bees. Bird feeders and plantings attract all sorts of birds, including at this time of year, the lovely but shy Painted Bunting. A spectacular and ancient Poinciana tree graces an open area for weddings and special events. And probably the most amazing feat of engineering (and brute strength) is the spectacular pond with waterfalls that surround you as you walk down the path, 16 feet below ground level. I’ll never forget the ever-present and wonderful sound of moving water throughout this entire visit! They even carved out an entire lake that looks like it has been there forever! The already-unique original structures on the land were also conserved and have been decorated with a plethora of interesting, one-of-a-kind items that Bruce and Joyce (self-described estate-sale junkies) have collected over the years. I hope you will have a chance to visit Patch of Heaven the next time you are in the Miami area!

Photo by Debbie Jordan

Photo by Debbie Jordan