Caladiums, Canvases & Coffee Art Stroll

Join us for a morning stroll through beautiful Nehrling Gardens while plein air artists are working along the paths.

We will have musical entertainment – Mountainbrew Duo will be performing below the house, and Freddy Burky and Ted Strauss will be strolling the gardens playing fiddle and guitar as you enjoy your brunch bites and coffee or Mimosa, fruity Sangria or Bloody Mary.

Local artists will be painting and many of their pieces will be on display in our live auction that is set up behind the garage. This will be a wonderful event where you can enjoy the gardens and even buy you caladiums bulbs for your gardens!

As you make your way through the gardens you will see local artists painting and original art enticingly displayed among the foliage as well as in the garage wing. All art will be available for bidding in advance at our online auction, beginning April 15 and ending at the close of the Art & Stroll event on April 23rd - tickets available for $25 at www.nehrlinggarens.org.

AND there will be a selection of caladium bulbs and beautiful potted caladiums available to purchase for your spring gardens!

Nehrling Gardens is the former home of famed horticulturalist Henry Nehrling, who purchased the property in 1885 to establish a garden where he could experiment with tropical and subtropical plants year round. It is located in Gotha, Florida, a small community near Orlando that was founded by German Americans in the 1870s. The 1880s Florida wood frame vernacular style home and semi-detached kitchen were moved by ox-cart to the site in the early 1900s, when Nehrling moved his family to Florida.

This particular garden was one of Florida’s earliest experimental botanical gardens where Dr. Nehrling tested over 3,000 new and rare plants for the Bureau of Plant Industry, now known as the USDA. By the early 1900s it was a popular destination for thousands of tourists, nature lovers, and new Florida settlers. Many prominent people of the era, such as Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Liberty Hyde Bailey, Theodore Mead and Dr. David Fairchild, marveled at the garden and celebrated Nehrling’s extraordinary work.

Of the 40 plus acres purchased by Henry Nehrling between 1885 and 1897, only the 6-acre homestead site remains; a portion of which extends into Lake Nally. Specimens of the original 100-year old tree canopy and many of his plantings still exists as well as the original home – a charming and authentic example of pioneer Florida life.

The Henry Nehrling Society was formed in 1999 in order to save and purchase the property – a mission that was accomplished in 2009. Now, the gardens are owned and operated by the non-profit corporation’s volunteer board and staff.

Today, Nehrling Gardens continues to enrich our lives as a community resource and education center focused on historic preservation, horticultural education and environmental conservation.

Live Event is 9am to 12pm at Nehrling Gardens
2267 Hempel Avenue
Gotha, FL 34734