As the Taj Mahal was a gift of love from Emperor Shah Jahan to his wife, so Bok Tower Gardens is a gift of love from Edward Bok to the American people.
Table of Contents
Bok Tower Gardens: America’s Taj Mahal
I am one of those rare creatures called a Native Floridian. In fact, at least five generations of my family have called the Sunshine State home. But until this year I had never visited one of Florida’s oldest attractions that lies a mere 43 miles from my comfy crib. And although I have now visited this lovely place twice in the past year, even my first visit was not planned . . . .
Jerry and I originally planned to attend a hometown sunrise service on Easter Sunday, but for some reason we decided on the spur of the moment to attend the service at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. After all, the entry was free, and after the service we would be able to tour the gardens the rest of the day.
Dawn was breaking as we wound our way through expansive orange groves up Iron Mountain. At 295 feet in elevation, a dubious record for sure, it stands as one of the highest points in the state. We parked and began a further ascent on foot toward the iconic tower. The dissonant tones of the tower carillons in concert with a brass ensemble welcomed us to join hundreds of worshipers already gathered beneath the moss-ladened grandfather oaks. The cool of the morning air united with the hope of the new day gave an ambience of peace and comfort that could not be denied by a believer of any faith.
Bok Tower Gardens was the dreamchild of Dutch-American publisher and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward W. Bok. His desire was to create an outdoor sanctuary that would “touch the soul with its beauty and quiet” as a gift of appreciation to the nation that had afforded him so many opportunities. To design the sprawling gardens, Bok enlisted the famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr., whose designs also grace the Biltmore Estate, the National Mall in Washington, DC, and various National Parks across the nation. Later, Bok commissioned a 205-foot gothic revival and art deco “Singing Tower” of marble and native coquina designed by architect Milton B. Medary to become the centerpiece of the gardens. The tower would house a 60-bell carillon set whose discordant tones would echo throughout the property. Dedicated in 1929 by President Calvin Coolidge, the site is now a National Historic Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Tell me this shot doesn’t look like something out of Lord of the Rings!
The carillons play at 1:00 and 3:00 PM daily.
Following the Easter service, we enjoyed a modest breakfast buffet at the onsite Blue Palmetto Café. Then, with property map in hand we set out to explore every inch of trails throughout the gardens. It didn’t take long for us to realize that Edward Bok’s dream had become a reality. Far beyond the beauty of flowers and foliage and architectural feats was an undeniable supernatural sense of joy and peace that hovered over the gardens. Without getting overly-sentimental, even today, looking back, Jerry and I agree that there was something special about that day filled with serendipity, synchronicity, and a sense of divine appointment.
Formal gardens with a sandhill crane sculpture.
Nun’s orchids in bloom.
Jerry on the human sundial in the endangered native plant garden.
We returned to Bok Tower Gardens later in the year during the Christmas season. This time Jerry’s daughter Brandy joined us, and once again we passed an incredibly peaceful and relaxing day. And even though our admission was not free like it was on Easter Sunday, we did save on one adult admission with a BOGO coupon from the Polk County, Florida, edition of the Enjoyment Discount Coupon Book.
Jerry, Brandy & Howard take a selfie.
Christmas planting at Pinewood Estate.
In addition to the garden walks and carillon concerts, we were able to tour Pinewood Estate, a 1930s Mediterranean-style mansion located on the property. Each room was decorated by a local designer or design team in a variety of holiday themes. Following the tour, we took a break at Pinewood Place, a concession stand on the estate grounds offering a menu of light snacks, wine, and other beverages.
Pinewood Estate courtyard.
Christmas inside Pinewood Estate.
You should begin your visit to Bok Tower Gardens at the Visitor Center where you may view a brief orientation video, collect a garden map, and peruse the historical museum. The Visitor Center complex also houses the Blue Palmetto Café and the Tower & Garden Gift Shop. When you do your tour of the property, in addition to the Singing Tower, Olmsted Gardens and Pinewood Estate, be sure not to miss the Endangered Plant Garden, Sunset Overlook, and a personal favorite the Window By the Pond.
Window By the Pond.
Jerry and Brandy sampling the heavenly fragrance of tea olive.
Relaxing by the reflecting pond.
So when is the best time to visit Bok Tower Gardens? In a news release from a previous year, Director of Horticulture Nick Baker said, “We expect azaleas to peak the third week in February and continue through March.” Although the gardens are beautiful any time of year, the landscape is especially lovely in the early spring.
Rear view of Pinewood Estate.
Spacious back lawn at Pinewood Estate.
A new book calls Bok Tower Gardens “America’s Taj Mahal.” When I first read the subtitle I did not understand the meaning. I knew the Taj Mahal was a lovely piece of architecture, but I also knew it was a tomb. This did not fit the Singing Tower. Then it struck me! Just as the Taj Mahal was a gift of love from Emperor Shah Jahan to his cherished wife, so Bok Tower is a gift of love from Edward Bok to the American people.
Edward W. Bok’s resting place beneath the bronze door.
The Singing Tower sundial.
Edward Bok’s grandmother once told him, “Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”
I think he did . . . .
Spring bloom table.
Winter bloom table.
A relaxing day at Bok Tower Gardens.
Map It!
what a cool place and so close to (your) home!
What a beautiful place! I will have it on my list if I happen to visit the city!
It’s not exactly Torres del Paine, Gloria, but it is pretty spectacular!
Wow, another spot I have never even heard of. Looks so beautiful and relaxing. I love the shots of the tower, looks enormous in the reflecting pool!
Thank you, Mary! I agree that the beauty doubles in the reflecting pool.
All this scenery makes me think of Holland Park in London. I was there only once but both places look very similar!
Wow! Interesting. I will have to check our Holland Park for myself.
It really does looks like the good ol’ Taj! Nice pics, Mr. Howard!
Thank you, Mr. Raphael!
Great photos! Beautiful, I can’t believe this is in Florida!
Thanks, Yvonne! Bok Tower Gardens are definitely in Florida in the middle of nowhere . . . .
Bok Tower is a new one on me! Always a good day to learn about interesting new places, and some great photos really made the place stand out.
Thanks, Dave! Perhaps you can make it a stop on the Tour de Florida . . . . 😉
Love Bok Tower Gardens! Such a peaceful spot and I love the bells in the tower. Great photos!
The gardens sound beautiful Howard – I can’t believe I was traveling around Florida for a year and missed these!! Will have to get back!!
Yeah, I know you’re all excited and stuff about heading back to Australia, Meg, but here’s hoping you make it back so maybe our paths will cross in person. Better yet, I get to fly down under! 🙂
Lovely article and I really enjoyed the comment “make the world a bit better or more of a beautiful place because you have lived in it.”
I agree, Jennifer! Great quote, and I have it hanging on my fridge.
Wow! I’ve never heard of the Bok Tower. Looks beautiful!
I find it sad that the whole world can point to Disney World, but the real treasures in Florida get overlooked. Which make my job even more important, right Katie? It truly is a lovely place!
We tried to head to Bok Tower Gardens for the FREE mother’s Day admission, but the Mrs. was very pregnant at that point! If you like the Carillon. If you like the music, you may want to checkout Stephen Foster Park around Christmas time. They also have a Carillon and an incredible Christmas Light Display. The Carillion also plays Christmas music and the hot cocoa is a nice touch!
Thanks for the Stephen Foster info! We have been to many Florida State Parks and collected our passport stamps, but we haven’t made it there yet. Sounds lovely, and I know we will make it eventually. Thanks for visiting BP!
Well I filled your shoes! Their are hundreds of plant types, and my dad new them all by heart practically! I think he really enjoyed the plant nursery. Although, he didn’t seem to care as much about the bells.
Finally! My family and I took a trip to Bok Tower Gardens. It is spectacular, my Dad especially adored the gardens, but my personal favorite was the Pinewood Estate. It would have been nice if you posted more pictures of the inside. It’s so unique! We ate at the Palmetto Cafe, the fruit salads were delightful… 🙂
Glad you finally got to go, Ethan! I would love to visit Bok Tower Gardens with your dad so he could tell me the names of all the plants . . . .
That is neat! My dad told me that he thought that the miscellaneous plant varieties were interesting. His, favorite were the Nun’s orchids, also known as Phaius orchids.(A type of terrestrial.) though my personal favorite was the winter bloom table because of it’s variety of colors and large blossoms. My dad even said himself. “We need to go to Bok Tower.”
(I’m guessing to see the garden) 🙂
Thanks for your cool comment, Ethan! Hope you get to visit Bok Tower Gardens soon, but then again, it is probably no match for your dad’s yard . . . . 🙂
I don’t mean to brag but if you think that our yard was bodacious then, take A good look now. Plants have been put in and taken out, both the beauty and amount of yard work have gone up tremendously. The only problem is the pedestrians.