A Wisconsin schoolteacher named Henry Nehrling purchased 40 acres of land in the Town of Gotha in 1885 to grow tropical and sub-tropical plants outside year round. He was also a horticulturalist, an ornithologist, and his Palm Cottage Gardens on Hempel Avenue was a popular tourist destination at the turn of the century which had visits from the likes of Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, and David Fairchild. Today, only 6 acres remain of the original garden.
Dr. Nehrling tested over 3,000 new and rare plant species at the garden. He also introduced over 300 beneficial plants to the local landscape which include caladium, hybrid amaryllis, and gloriosa lillies. Dr. Nehrling is also considered to be the father of caladiums.
A local group called the Henry Nehrling Society works to preserve his Gotha home and gardens. The group also provides a history and horticultural education center. Their site also offers an in depth history of Gotha which include Dr. Nehrling as well as the Nally family who also became enthralled by gloriosa lillies. What a great organization here in SW Orlando.
Here’s the links to become a member, donate, or volunteer.
Watch Video: Saving “Dreamland”: Henry Nehrling’s Florida
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1 Adora Mitchell Bayles // Aug 9, 2008 at 11:19 am
I am writing the sequel to my book, “Wagons South!” and need a list of breeders and varieties of caladiums bred by these breeders from 1929 (Time of Dr. Henry Nehrling’s death) until 1954. The original book is about my father J.D. Mitchell and Dr. Nehrling, who was his mentor. Mitchell learned about caladium culture from Dr. Nehrling as a lad and later made a fortune as a grower and breeder. “The Caladium Kings,” sequel to “Wagons South!” will contain Adolph Leitze, Dr. Nehrling, J.D. Mitchell as the chronological Caladium Kings and Vivian “Boots” Holmes, as First Lady of Caladiums. Surely, there is a list somewhere of these varieties in a legal document somewhere! Can you help me?
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Adora Mitchell Bayles
100 River Road Apt 112
Wilton, CT 06897
203-762-2166
PS Most breeder history only dates back to Dr Gary Wilfret of Happiness Farms in Lake Placid, Florida. I need earlier history.
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