the Overlook
gardens“The Overlook" gardens encompass an acre of beautiful tropical plantings. The owners purchased the property five years ago and have lived closely with the site since that time. With the continual efforts of the “Bravos Boyz” staff they have and will continue to design, plant, and maintain the property. It is with pleasure that you are invited to stroll the grounds or view from many of the walkways, stairways, balconies, terraces, or from inside your own private suite. “The Overlook” contains over 200 palm trees of 18 different varieties carefully chosen to suit the location and conditions where they are planted. There are over 20 varieties of fruit trees or bushes and usually some will be ripe for your enjoyment during your stay.
A tour of the garden by foot will excite the senses. Visual stimulation will be sparked with the vibrant colors of hibiscus, heliconias, gingers, and birds-of-paradise. The olfactory will be treated with breathtaking scents of the Frangipani, Ylang Ylang, Jasmines and Lady of the Night (Dama de la Noche). The gardens are a true labor of love and will continue to evolve.
For further information about plant varieties on the property please visit our planting list.
In addition to the wonderful plantings, there are other interesting things found throughout the hillside gardens. There are some large metal caldrons located throughout the property. One is planted as a water garden with water hyacinths and papyrus while another stands freely as a sculpture of historic reminder. These caldrons are a unique part of Vieques’ history as they were used in processing sugar cane many decades ago.
Another interesting feature of the garden are the concrete ruins found on the lower portion of the grounds. These former foundations serve as a reminder of what once stood before the decimating forces of Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The current owners found the historic ruins charming and decided to incorporate them as garden features. Many varieties of plants have been placed around the ruins which add interest. Papayas are planted between beams of the upper ruin and have begun producing fruit on a very regular basis.
The lower ruin is used as a personal nursery for growing trees shrubs and ornamentals to be used throughout the property. As you continue to explore the grounds you will discover two iron benches shaded by tall bamboo and Puerto Rican Royal palms. This is a wonderful place to sit and relax or have a tete’ a tete’. The ruins are an integral part of the gardens and some local residents have fondly named it La Ruina.
Below La Ruina you will find a gate to the lower road and a less than one-minute walk through the mangrove estuary to La Chata beach and our favorite swimming hole.
