More than 200 generous supporters of Mounts Botanical Garden, Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden, attended the 14th annual Spring Benefit.  The lush and luscious Sunday evening reception and auction was held recently at the beautiful Palm Beach home of Merrilyn Bardes,
which was designed by John Volk. 

Guests toured the incredibly beautiful Mediterranean inspired garden and loggia, while examining such exotic silent auction items as tropical orchid arrangements, potted begonias, palms, fruit trees and more. 

This year’s annual Spring Benefit for Mounts raised more than $100,000 and was chaired by Palm Beach resident Polly Reed, who chairs the Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden. She was ably assisted by several fellow board members, including Leslie Mann, Barbara Cook, Kathy Vaughan and Sarah Macintyre Goldstein.

Among those attending the delightful event were West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio, former Palm Beach Mayor Lesley Smith, TV’s top home improvement expert Bob Vila, longtime Mounts supporter Michael Zimmerman and Audrey R. Norman, Director of Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service.

“Once again, the inviting ambiance and architectural splendor of Merrilyn’s beautiful home and garden made it the ideal location for our annual Spring Benefit,” said Mounts Garden Director Allen Sistrunk.  “It was another blessed evening.”

About Mounts Botanical Garden:

Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County's oldest and largest public garden.  Mounts displays tropical and subtropical plants from around the world, including plants native to Florida, exotic trees, tropical fruit, herbs, citrus, palms and more. As a component of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service, and through its affiliation with the University of Florida, Mounts is the place to connect with Extension Horticulturists, Master Gardeners, the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program, and professional horticultural advisors. Mounts also offers a variety of horticultural classes, and garden-related events and workshops. 

Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, Mounts Botanical Garden is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The suggested donation for entry to the Garden is $5 per person. For more information, please call 561.233.1757 or visit www.mounts.org.