The Early Bloomer :: January 2019

The

s • en

b cele

c

kc

rs ea

• ro

Early Bloomer

ting 50 y ra

i t y g a rd

JANUARY 2019

GREET THE

New Year IN THE GARDEN

seven acres of inspiration

gardening

GREET THE

New Year IN THE GARDEN

Happy New Year! There is something cathartic about the start of the new year and the resolutions that we vow to keep. One resolution that is easy to make and keep – enjoying the beauty of year-round gardening. There is no better place to unwind and get rejuvenated than in the warmth of our gardens. Mother Nature has an uncanny way of nurturing our soul with the fruits of her soil.

Following the

Be a smart gardener.

Make this the year that you get your soil tested and follow through with proper amendments. This will help all aspects of your gardening, from landscape plants such as shrubs and trees to vegetables and flowers.

2

busy holiday season and

h

a prolific growing season, our garden associates are eager to share our homegrown flowers with you.

ef

Be an inspired gardener.

Plant a tree, install raised beds

Be a prudent gardener.

for easy access, or simply plant

With experience, gardeners learn what

pots of new geraniums.

products yield a greater reward and which do not.

Try something new!

A great place to start is with good quality soil or potting mix. Packaged potting mixes

Be an organized gardener.

are formulated for proper drainage and nutrients and are well worth the investment.

Just like cooks need organized kitchens,

having all your gardening tools and materials in a central location makes you more

fficient. A potting bench can be the catch-all for your gardening materials. Store bags of soil in labeled containers. Clean up your old trowels or purchase new ones for a fresh start.

3

gardening

NEW YEAR BLOOMS at Rock City Gardens

SNAPDRAGONS » SNAPDRAGONS are bright reminders that winter can bloom in glorious colors. Snapdragons thrive in the cool winter temperatures. These upright beauties come in shades of white, yellow, bronze and rose. Stunning in your garden beds or container gardens, they also make beautiful cut flower arrangements. And the more you cut them, the more they bloom!

MAINTENANCE: Water when dry.

LIGHT: Full Sun

4

BEGONIAS » BEGONIAS love the cooler weather and will perform beautifully throughout the winter and spring seasons. With their mounding effect, begonias are especially captivating in garden beds and container gardens. Our “Doublet” series reaches 8” – 12” in height and features a striking double bloom with rich bronze foliage.

MAINTENANCE: Easy! (no deadheading required!)

LIGHT: Partial Sun

gardening

Welcome January and the New Year with beautiful homegrown flowers.

ALSOBI DIANTHIFLORA » ALSOBIA DIANTHIFLORA is also known as ‘Lace Flower’ and it is new to our garden scene this year. This delicate, but hearty white flower grows 4” to 6” tall and is ideal for ground cover in your landscape beds. It performs especially well in shady, moist areas.

MAINTENANCE: Water regularly or plant in

areas with moist soil.

LIGHT: Partial Shade

DIANTHUS » DIANTHUS is a fragrant flower and makes a beautiful container garden as well as a sweet-smelling fresh cut arrangement. Shades of fuchsia, salmon, orange and cerise make choosing just one color a challenge! These beauties will grow up to 12” in height and perform best when planted 10”-12” apart.

MAINTENANCE: Water as needed.

LIGHT: Full Sun

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

5

COMMUNIT Y NE WS

Supporting Our Community Rock City Gardens is proud to support organizations throughout Indian River County that help make our coastal community a beautiful and thoughtful place to live. Every year we proudly sponsor and host special events, including the arts, preservation of our land and water, and non-profit organizations that improve the quality of life for all.

We have long supported

CENTER STAGE

Riverside Theatre and the quality of their performances.

Carefully choreographed, our homegrown flowers earn standing ovations every season.

From all of us at Rock City Gardens: Happy 40th Anniversary, Riverside Theatre!

Visit RiversideTheatre.com

seven acres of inspiration ROCKCITYGARDENS.COM

|

for a complete list of

772.589.5835

outstanding performances.

RCG_playbill_Evita_2018/2019.indd 1

12/11/18 3:01 PM

ASK

DOC ROCK

Q: Where do you recommend planting herbs?

A: W hether you have a large backyard or a small courtyard, it's best to grow herbs in containers or raised garden beds for easy access. Most herbs need several hours a day of full sun for best performance, so keep that in mind when deciding where to position your pots. Resist the urge to give your herbs too much love. Fertilizer is not usually needed. Water wisely. While most herbs prefer dry conditions, some need more moisture to thrive. Basil, chives, mint, cilantro, marjoram and rosemary are just a few hearty varieties that perform exceptionally well – and will provide you with long-lasting fragrance and flavor.

8

Let’s Get This Party Started!

Rock City Gardens is a destination of choice for fabulous outdoor events.

With acres of stunning gardens and flower houses, a pond and entertainment deck plus beautiful outdoor living areas, our garden is a destination of choice for year-round happenings, including weddings, family reunions, cocktail parties and large fundraisers.

For an event consultation and details about reserving Rock City Gardens for your special event, contact Gaynel Marie McCary at 772.589.5835 or events@rockcitygardens.com

9

happy new year!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

When you have a container garden in a prominent spot – such as flanking the front door – you always want it looking good. The same holds true for beautiful flower beds. Choose flowers that keep themselves looking their best with minimal effort. Self-cleaning plants, like begonias and supertunias, are the best choice. That’s because they don’t require deadheading to remove spent flowers — they drop off on their own!

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