Early Bloomer :: JANUARY 2017

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Early Bloomer

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JANUARY 2017

seven acres of inspiration

gardening

A New Year in the Gardens None of you are strangers to Rock City Gardens, the only retail garden oasis of its kind for miles around. It’s a magical, serendipitous place for anyone who has ever walked through our garden gates and discovered the horticultural gem that it is. We’re thrilled when visitors are taken aback by our seven acres of inspiration and who then discover, to their amazement, that our flowers are freshly grown right on site.

This season, our growers have grown beautiful flowers for your enjoyment. Our geraniums, petunias, and Calibrachoa are especially captivating.

From all of us at Rock City Gardens, Happy Gardening this New Year!

GERANIUMS They love the cool weather and will perform beautifully throughout the winter and spring seasons. Available in two varieties including:

zonal geraniums – With clusters of fabulous flowers and upright growth, they’re great for container gardens or garden beds.

ivy geraniums – With trailing foliage and big blooms, they’re especially nice in hanging baskets or container gardens.

PETUNIAS Everybody loves petunias for their bright and lively blooms.

Perhaps the best feature is that they’re self-cleaning – no deadheading of blooms required! Excellent for baskets, container gardens and landscaping. Supertunias® and Potunias® are hybrid petunias. These are prolific bloomers and easy to grow.

CALIBRACHOA Commonly called Million Bells® for their multiple bell-shape flowers, they resemble petunias. This tender, sweet plant produces cascades of flowers. They grow 3- to 9-inches tall with trailing flowers in shades of violet, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, and white. Calibrachoa prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun.

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Petunia

Geranium

Calibrachoa

For help planting and maintaining your container gardens and garden beds, call 772-589-5835.

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reader quiz

Hey, Gardener!

Wha•da•ya•know?

Brad´s Musings It’s a new year!

And its time to replant with geraniums and petunias.

Don’t say that you can’t.

1. What is the botanical name for Million Bells®?

2. When were hybrid petunias introduced to the bedding plant market?

3. What does the plant enzyme, “ethylene” do?

You tried to stay up late and watch the ball drop.

Partied with friends but knew when to stop.

master - gardener level

Root out your genius with this master gardener question!

2017 is going to be great.

Cheers to you and to your best mate!

When plants open their “stomates,” what do they gain?

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) Calibrachoa 2) in the 1950’s 3) It ripens fruits and makes them more appealing to eat

ASK DOC ROCK Q: I want to plant an herb garden this year. Do you have any advice to help me get started?

A: Some people think there’s an air of mystery around growing herbs, but all herbs basically need are sunlight, good drainage, and regular feeding to thrive. Fertilize with Osmocote® or Dynamite® or, for those with a more natural bent, feed more often with bone meal, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds or Epsom salt. For beginners, we recommend rosemary, parsley, basil, thyme, sage, oregano, dill and chives. Rock City Gardens carries all of these varieties so you can plant your New Year herb garden and start Visit soon while supplies last, and our associates will gladly help you select the best varieties for your growing needs.

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special events

Community ties.

Rock City Gardens has long been a supporter of organizations throughout Indian River County that help make our coastal community a more beautiful and thoughtful place to live. Each year, we proudly sponsor and/or host special events, including those that benefit the arts, preservation of our land and water, and non-profit organizations that improve the quality of life for so many local residents, including:

May Pops Benefiting the Indian River Medical Center Foundation

Indian River Land Trust Preserving our land and water

Atlantic Classical Orchestra Featuring new music director, David Amado

SunUp ARC Supporting individuals with special needs

Riverside Theatre Award-wining, non-profit professional theatre We love Riverside Theatre and the quality of their original performances. Don't miss January’s production of “Chicago,” coming up January 3rd–22nd.

Looking for a great location for your next special event?

Consider Rock City Gardens! For more information about events at Rock City Gardens, please call us at 772-589-5835.

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special events

January 2017 Riverside Theatre playbill ad

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BOUTIQUE

Ain't that Swell!

How many times have you or someone you know lost an expensive pair of sunglasses while boating or swimming?

Our new Swell Vision sunglasses are not only stylish – they float! Made from sustainable bamboo, these premium sunglasses have polarized lenses and are available in multiple shades. We love the mission behind this brand: to leave the world a better place than we found it.

And you’ll love the styles and functionality that we think are simply, well, swell! Visit soon for the best selections.

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

We are grateful for our garden enthusiasts who faithfully follow our progress and delight in our home and garden décor. As we begin another year at Rock City Gardens, we thank you for your loyal patronage. We hope you’ll add “spend more time in the gardens” to your New Year resolutions.

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 © 2013-2017 Rock City Gardens