Orchid tree in full bloom with magenta flowers on Fleming St. Key West.
By Sarah Tamar Klitenick
What inspires me about Key West? This island is a place like none other, and one of the things I delight in most are the incredible tropical trees and flowers and the incredible Key West gardens. Not only is this place one of the friendliest towns I have ever lived in, it's also exotically beautiful during the entire year. I was born and raised in Key West, moved away to pursue my professional interests and travel, and now I return during the winter and spring months to work and visit family. Every year when I arrive, I can't wait to hop on my bicycle and ride around the Old Town neighborhoods to take in the beauty and fragrance of my favorite trees and flowers in bloom.
One stunning tree that inspires me, stands proudly near the public library on Fleming Street. Its called an 'orchid tree' because its blossoms resemble an orchid flower in showy bloom! The blossoms are very delicate and soft, and they come in a variety of pink, purple, and white colors. These wondrous trees give off a sweet scent, and like fragrant floral notes they softly play on the breeze, and seem to watch over you as you pass beneath them on the sidewalk. Try stopping under their canopy to take shade from the sun on a walk or bike ride, and take notice of the magnificence of a 40 foot tall tree in full bloom.
Another favorite local flora that displays around the island all year, are the astounding walls of bougainvillea. Paper thin, the brilliant flowers light up like lamp shades of magenta, purple, sunset pink, bright orange, with little white punctuating centers which is my favorite part. Since bougainvillea grow as a drought resistant vine, they create a natural overhead cover for walkways and make impressive living plant walls that require minimum care. I love to see the creative ways locals use them in their tropical gardens and entry ways in such charming and purposeful ways.
Then there are the incredible variety of tropical trees around the island, including mahogany, banyan, royal Poinciana, and an impressive variety of palm trees, all of which visually take over the landscape along Old Town streets, especially when you get a look-down view of the island from the top of a building. One of my personal favorite trees on the island is the giant rubber tree near the Fleming and White Street intersection, whose sheer size and fullness dwarf the hotel under its canopy.
Next time youre in Key West, ride a bicycle or take a walk down Old Town Southard Street and experience the wonders of mature exotic plant life that fill this island. Stop and take a lot of photos, and allow yourself to be led by the different natural perfumes wafting from the blooming trees and flowers. With no true dry season or cold winter, Key West is truly a 'garden of Eden.'
Every year when I return to Key West in the winter, I make it a mission to discover the new blooms in the gardens and along the streets. I always feel more at peace in any place that has low-rise buildings and beautiful natural landscape surrounding the neighborhoods, than concrete buildings scraping the skies. Add to it, the incredible turquoise ocean, and it becomes picture perfect. This is exactly why I love the island.
Sarah Tamar Klitenick is a professional massage therapist and ukuleleist who performs in a country blue-grass band. Born and raised in Key West, she is a young 'snow bird' who returns to her island home to live and work every winter and spring. She brings us her passion for the exotic trees and flowers of the island that she will always call home.
