Butterfly Garden

A slice of Old Key West paradise in an important historic tree garden. Completely hidden from the street, this authentic Butterfly Garden Flat is beautifully decorated in Bohemian luxury style. The bathroom walls feature a 360 degree wall mural painted by famous Caribbean artist David Wegman. The flat provides two private entrances off a large gated property. In January 2021 it was refreshed with new paint, some new furnishings, all new kitchen appliances, and amenities listed below.

The Butterfly Garden Flat features a private covered bricked front porch spanning the width of the house. Step out the front door and enjoy your private porch nestled in a beautiful meditation area hidden in the trees. The porch is furnished with a teak dining table and chairs and cushioned armchairs for relaxing. Rest and rejuvenate in the freshness of the mature tropical trees and watch for the butterflies. The large historic property is filled with tall giant white birds of paradise, a variety of palm trees, a plethora of thatch palms, and native hardwood trees.

A Bit of History: This property has an interesting and colorful history. It was originally created in the 1930’s by Ms. Molly Parker, a practicing lawyer and progressive woman with a vision for the future. She planted this private garden as part of an effort by the City of Key West to attract tourists to the island during The Great Depression. The ethos of the island was focused on it’s incredible nature, both on the land and in the surrounding sea. It has been shared by Key West locals, who grew up on the island, that Molly Parker ran with Ernest Hemingway and his crowd, and hosted poker parties in the former orchid house. Ms. Parker is also credited for planting most of the mahogany trees on the island and one of the largest ones still stands in the back yard of this house.

The Property Today: There are two private homes on this historic property. They were both built and have been maintained as havens to connect with nature. The tranquility of this historic tropical forest helps to wash away the demands and stresses of life. When you are ready for the beach you are just a short stroll away from white sands, turquoise waters, and historic piers at Higgs Beach. It is an easy walk to White Street where you find Fausto’s Fine Foods grocery store, walk up Cuban coffee stores, some excellent restaurants, and local art galleries.