The Early Bloomer :: February 2019

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FEBRUARY 2019

Fresh Start IN THE GARDEN

seven acres of inspiration

gardening

Fresh Start IN THE GARDEN

If you haven’t yet replenished your tired flowerbeds with cool-weather annuals, take note!

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Planting new flowers this month ensures a bright display of color that will last until the early summer heat arrives. Colorful gardens this time of year can include, but are not limited to, snapdragons, dianthus, petunias, calibrachoas, and geraniums – just to name a few. Rock City’s flower houses are ablaze with color, offering beautiful options for your flower beds and container gardens. Plant your new beauties according to their individual light requirements, water only as needed, and feed periodically with an appropriate fertilizer. If you’re uncertain about where to plant your new flowers or how to care for them, our knowledgeable associates are always available to assist you.

For those who enjoy the benefits of culinary and medicinal herbs, now is also the perfect time to plant new herb gardens. Herbs like basil, chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, tarragon, oregano, sage and thyme promise delicious and healthy goodness.

Most herbs need partial to full sun.

Growing them in containers is not only convenient for snipping off a few sprigs when needed but it also makes caring for them easier.

Select a pot with drainage holes and that is large enough to allow the roots to grow.

With just a little tender loving care, you’ll love the fruits of your February gardening.

A Garden Secret The best kept secret might be the host of services that Rock City Gardens offers. Our services entail all aspects of outdoor living, including: HOMEGROWN FLOWERS Cultivated and grown right on site, year round.

CONTAINER GARDENS Creation, installation and maintenance of any size containers.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Beautiful design and installation, whether large or small. Renovation of existing landscapes is a specialty.

GARDEN BOUTIQUE A charming boutique filled with unique year-round and seasonal home and garden dĂŠcor.

DESIGN BUILD SERVICES Custom hardscape designs and installations for outdoor living areas WE GROW FOR YOU Our proprietary program that allows you to select exactly the color and quantity of flowers you need. Rock City grows and cares for your flowers until we install them in your gardens, just in time for fall.

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gardening

LOVE IS...BLOOMING at Rock City Gardens

EYELASH FERN

ASSORTED HANGING BASKETS

» EYELASH FERN is a fun, new plant on display in Rock City’s shade house.

Its deep green, lash-like leaves dress up containers in shady spots outdoors and make a unique houseplant for a bright window. This new fern grows to approximately 8” tall.

» ASSORTED HANGING BASKETS What’s not to love? These dangling beauties add dramatic color and liven up any outdoor space. Assorted colors and combinations of double petunias and ivy geraniums are available in 10” baskets.

While supplies last!

MAINTENANCE: Keep

MAINTENANCE: Water

evenly moist and avoid overwatering or standing in water LIGHT: Shade

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only as needed.

LIGHT: Full Sun to Partial Shade (depending on variety)

gardening

Rock City’s fresh plants and flowers are at their peak of perfection.

Several new varieties have been added to the mix.

Visit soon for the complete color show!

PILEA PEPEROMIODES

GERANIUM TRIALS

» PILEA PEPEROMIODES also known as Chinese Money Plant, is another new addition to our plant family. Their bright green, pancakeshaped leaves provide an adorable and welcome display of color for a sunny window. They perform best in well-drained soil.

» GERANIUM TRIALS offer a sneak peak of what’s to come this fall at Rock City Gardens. Several new series have made our arduous flower trials’ cut and are ready for you to enjoy. Look for these new varieties with names like “Appleblossom,” “Cranberry Sizzle,” and “2 in 1 Peach.”

MAINTENANCE: Easy!

MAINTENANCE:

LIGHT: Bright, indirect

light

Easy!

LIGHT: Full Sun

Our friendly garden associates will happily help you select just the right flowers for your winter gardens.

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garden boutique

A Valentine’s Day Statement The dramatic red anthurium has been the topic of countless artists and writers. This heartshaped houseplant is an impeccably romantic gift. As a potted plant, they can survive yearround with minimal care. When used in cut-flower arrangements, anthuriums can last up to three weeks. Though red is the most common color, new hybrid offerings come in white, salmon, lavender, orange and shades of pink. They make stunning statements in bright windows or shady outdoor spots!

Rock City’s gorgeous, florist-quality azaleas are now in bloom and perfect for a sunny window or in a container garden with partial shade. Available in 6-inch containers in shades of red and pink, azaleas will keep showing their love with beautiful blooms for weeks. It’s a thoughtful gift that keeps on giving. .

ASK

DOC ROCK

Q: How can I protect my tropical plants on cold nights?

A: S pring is just around the corner, but we can still expect a few cooler-than-normal nights and mornings between now and then. When temperatures are forecasted to dip below 45 degrees, tender tropical plants need your help to stay warm. If you’re unable to bring the plants indoors, cover them with a frost cloth or cotton sheet before the sun sets. Avoid using plastic, as it can damage tender foliage that it might touch during the coldest temperatures. Don’t remove the covering the next day until the temperature has risen. This extra care will help keep your tropical plants healthy and ready to greet springtime! For more information, stop

by Rock City Gardens and our knowledgeable associates will gladly assist you.

reader quiz

Hey, Gardener!

Wha•da•ya•know?

Brad´s Musings Dinner at the Ocean Grill or maybe a bottle of wine;

1. Which flower is a symbol of ‘loyal love’?

2. In Japan, these sweet plants signify the nature of life.

3. If you’re trying to convey passion or gratitude, which plant would you give someone special?

Don’t forget that special something that screams, “I Love You” and “Be Mine”; A Valentine’s Day surprise something that really spells out love; Rock City Gardens has it all We are always one step above!

master - gardener level

Root out your genius with this master gardener question!

What is the third most popular fruit raised in the United States?

Check our Facebook page this month for the answer.

about the poet

Brad is a long-time Rock City Gardens’ associate.

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Hey, Gardener! Wha•da•ya•know?

Answers: 1) The daisy 2) Cherry Blossoms 3) a beautiful azalea

s p ec i a l e v e n ts

Starlight & Sneakers April 25th 6:00pm – 9:00pm Rock City Gardens is proud to host another Starlight & Sneakers gala to benefit the Arc of Indian River County — all to raise awareness and vital funds for special need adults. It’s a magical evening of dinner, cocktails and dancing beneath the stars to the incredible Gypsy Lane Band.

This premiere showband, including two of the original Village People band members, is not to be missed! Sport your chic garden attire and festive sneakers, and join us in April. For ticket and event information, please contact Noreen at 772.584.9511 or visit www.arcir.org.

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Pantone’s Living Coral is the 2019 color of the year. We love it for so many reasons, not the least of which is its correlation to our beautiful coastal landscape and the closeness to our own Rock City Gardens’ brand. It’s a color that instantly infuses optimism and simple happiness — something we gardeners appreciate. From all of us at Rock City, we wish you a joyful and Happy Valentine’s Day!

seven acres of inspiration

9080 U.S. Hwy 1 Wabasso, Florida 32970 772.589.5835 RockCityGardens.com

Monday through Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday 9:00am – 5:00pm © 2013-2019 Rock City Gardens