The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-03-27
KEY WEST WOMEN
BY MYRTLE coscRovE
MRS. JULIAN J. MARKS
GARDEN
Their Homes and Gardens

ciouS garden of Mrs. Julian J.
Marks From Roosevelt Boule-
ward one catches an entraf1cing
glimpse Of ue-green waters, Of
a riot of flowers, a wide eXpanse
CT green sWard, and tall sWaying
raln trees. But to properly APP
preciate tie splendor and beauty
of the extensive grounds one
must ramble along by-paths to
view the picturesque lily pond
and rock garden, the perfect
blending Of multi-hued flowers,
the stark simplicity of the
swimming pool softened by
masses OF velvety petunias. 1t
was in My, 1887, that Mr.. and
Mrs. Marks, natives of Crosse
Point, Mich, purchased the four
acres of land known as the old
Biological Station. Plans were
drawn and three months later
construction began on house and
garden. OF the buildings al
ready on the place, one was torn
down and the other renovated
and turned into a garage and
servants quarters The house
is modified Bahama type of
architecture and is constructed
Of concrete blocks, succeed and
painted a dazzling white. The
tropic motif has been stressed in
the long, low, rambling struc-
ture. All rooms have out
side exposure; floors are tiled
and porches screened and enclos-
ed. The house faces the Allan
tic Ocean and has a southeast ex-
posure in order to take advan-
tage of the trade winds. A
view is obtained OF the
adjacent islands of BOca Chica,
Cow Key and Stock Island. To
the right of the residence is a
commOdious boat house that ac-
commodities Lady Grace, the
spic and span 38-foot cruiser of
the Marks. Across the canal
from the boat house is an invit-
ing cabana and outdoor fireplace
ideal for picnics. Due to the
fact that the four acres are tri-
angular shaped and the house sit
uated at the left instead of the
center, balancing and landscap-
ing the grounds has proved to be
pretty much of a problem. How
eveA5 gardening is Mr.. Marks
hobby and he has proved himself
equal to the difficult task. He
has gone into the work with
great interest and enthusiasm
and the results are indeed graft
flying. Looking ahead as a true
gardener should. he has drawn
up the most intricate of plans;
the whole having been laid off
with mathematical precision. 9.
The first step in preparing the
garden was the elimination of
hundreds of cork and almond
trees with which the land was
overrun. Only the graceful COCO
nuts, date and prichardia palms
were allowed to remain. The
wind, due to the exposed situa-
ton Of the grounds, has proved
to be the most serious. draw
back to the delicate trees and
plants. As a first aid, hundreds
of small Australian pines, seed
lmgs from the Marks nursery,
have, been planted along the
breakwater. These will in time
serve the double purpose of
hedge and wind break. "A feast
for the eyes is the rock garden
to the left of the residence. Grow
ing in the greatest profusion are
nasses &C petunias, ageratum,
African daisies, SALIVA, snap
dragons and candy tuft. Tier
by, tier they descend in breath
taking beauty to a mirror-like
pool teeming with gold fish
whose vivid coloring vies in
brilliancy with the flowers. 3.
Floating on the surface are pond
lilies in PASTEL shades, holding
aloft their waXy chalices to
catch the morning dew. Black
and gold butterflies culver in
ecstasy above the scene of sur
passing loveliness. To the rear
of the house are the plant nurs-
cry. chicken yard and vegetable
garden. Delicious red strawber-
ries grow here in great profu-
sion, proving to Doubling Thorn
asses" that these luscious fruits
may be crown with ease in Key
West. Mr. Marks, prominent
for years in the financial lwerId,
resigned at the early age of As
as comptroller of the Packard
Motor Company of Detroit
Please page Mr.. Ripley, for Mr..
Marks resigned not because of
age or i'll health, but because he
was one of those rare mortals
who know when they have ac-
cumulated sufficient wealth. - g.
He and Mrs. Marks wisely decid-
ed that henceforth they would