For the past seven years, the Secret Garden Tour of Coconut Grove has showcased private, tree-canopied gardens of all sizes and styles, demonstrating what is possible and why preserving trees and planting gardens is important in the face of
rampant over-building on Grove properties.
We are committed to educating homeowners about tree care and preservation through tutorials, shared resources, and helping with the remediation of strangling plants.
Advocating for the preservation of heritage trees, putting shovels in the ground, and encouraging people to continue gardening is our mission.
All proceeds support the Secret Garden Tours of Coconut Grove and our initiatives to further this cause.
Let’s Save The Trees We Have
Early detection & removal of strangling vines saves heritage trees
Many of Coconut Grove's heritage trees, especially our magnificent live oaks, are threatened by aggressive plants that establish within their canopies and root systems. Left untreated, species such as Strangler Fig (Ficus aurea), Australian Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla), and other invasive exotics can weaken, damage, and eventually overwhelm mature trees.
Early identification and removal is often simple and affordable, while delayed action can require costly arborist intervention.
How to save your trees from strangling vines
Check the crotches of your trees for sprouting ficus and scheffleras.
Make sure to pull all the roots off of the tree bark
Spray the area thoroughly with weed killer or these plants will come back!
Use a small pickaxe to chop and pry plants out of the tree.
Make sure to wear heavy gloves and eye protection. DO NOT get weedkiller on your skin or eyes. Follow product instructions carefully. If DIY is not your thing, ask your arborist to assist.
The Secret Garden Preservation Society helps save the Grove’s trees, and we’re ready to help homeowners like you IDENTIFY AND REMOVE invasive and opportunistic plants.
If you need help or know of a tree that's at risk, SGPS is here for you.
Help Keep The Grove Green
Offer your garden for a future Secret Garden Tour
We feature gardens of all sizes and styles, and make participation easy and fun for our garden owners. Plus, it's a great motivator to get all those garden projects you've been meaning to do, done!
Hear what SGT garden owners have to say about their experience.
Donate to support the SGPS
Donate to support the Secret Garden Preservation Society’s operating costs, which fund the Secret Garden Tours. In turn, the Tour revenues will fund initiatives that educate and support tree preservation in Coconut Grove.