Nancy Forreseter's Secret Garden

One Free-School Lane
Key West, Florida
(305) 294-0015

Nancy Forrester's grandmother was a great adventurer who loved fishing and brought the family to the Keys many years ago. Nancy has the same spirit of adventure and love of nature. Over the years she and a small circle of companions have transformed a group of lots behind her home on Elizabeth Street into a sophisticated botanical garden that's unique in this country. In December of 1994, she opened it to the public. She wants to have glorious events there and share her garden as a gallery of living art. She also wants to preserve and sustain endangered species of rain forest plants and keep a small corner of Key West green and accessible.

"With every square inch of the island being covered with concrete, I needed to nurture myself with a garden, to stay in tune with the earth. I needed to green it up around me, to provide a pause from the concrete world. I hope that people will come here and use it as a respite from the asphalt jungle. It's cool and tranquil and soothing here. It nourishes my spirit and soul."