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JUNE 2018
Summer Succulents
seven acres of inspiration
GARDENING Tabletop succulent gardens designed by Rock City Gardens
TIPS FOR PLANTING AND CARING FOR SUCCULENT GARDENS • Succulents thrive in well-drained soil. Add Gravel or shells to the bottom of your container to help increase drainage. • A fast-draining soil like a cactus mix combined with vermiculite makes a nice base soil. • If your container doesn’t have a drainage hole, you will need to water the succulents less. They don’t perform well if they are overwatered! • They grow well in containers at least 4 inches deep and with a loose soil that drains freely. Resist the temptation to overcrowd your succulents.
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Succulents available at Rock City Gardens Echeverias Rhipsalis Kalanchoe tomentosa Haworthis fasciata Aoniums Senecios Semperviem Crassula
Summer Succulents
Euphorbia tircalli Pepperomia Portulacaria Graptopetallum Kalanchoe thrysiflora Assorted haworthias
Summertime is here! Many of us take this time to travel, catch up on reading, and contemplate how to keep our gardens looking fresh without spending too much time in the sun. Low-maintenance and self-sustaining plants are the keys to summer gardening success. Of all our favorite hot-weather plants, succulents are at the top of the list. And if your idea of a succulent is the ordinary green cactus, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Versatile and extremely easy to care for, succulents are beautiful specimens for your summertime container gardens. They’re available in a wide range of colors, textures and sizes, all of which make dramatic presentations. When planted properly, they last for years — indoors or outdoors. Yet another reason why we love these beauties! Most succulents are drought-tolerant and, therefore, popular in residential landscapes throughout the southwest and California. Our sub-tropical region is a bit too humid to expect succulents to survive year-round in landscapes. But they perform beautifully in container gardens of all sizes, including tabletop arrangements, outdoor pots, and vertical containers for wall displays. Rock City Gardens creates stunning succulent gardens, and our associates are well versed in which succulents and containers work best for indoor and outdoor gardens. Following are a few ideas to consider for your new gardens. 3
GARDENING
MONOCHROMATIC CONTEMPORARY Position a duo or trio of matching containers of the same height filled with a single variety of succulents. The key is repetition in size and color. We happen to like white, neutral or pastel containers to pull this look together. VERSATILE VIGNETTES Bring color to your patio with a vivid combination of colorful succulents. Palettes of orange, gold, purple and chartreuse are just a few colors available. BEACH INSPIRED A shell shaped container is a fun way to display a mix of succulents and textures, and it’s perfect for our coastal dÊcor. Design Tip: fill in gaps between your plants with preserved moss.
Outdoor container garden designed by Rock City for a local client
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GARDENING
GARDENS IN GLASS Terrariums have come a long way, and they still capture attention. What’s not to love about a miniature succulent garden nestled inside a clear glass container? One can’t resist coming closer for a peek inside. TABLE TALK Select a low, trough-shaped container to hold a mix of succulents. Neutral colored containers keep the focus on the succulents. The centerpiece is an instant conversation-starter. It’s also timeless and fits just as well with the modern farmto-table style dining as an elegant dinner party.
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gardening
June Blooms
GERBERA GARVINIA GERBERA GARVINIA is a big, bold flower. Their daisy-like blooms rise above lush foliage and create quite the show at 14” – 18” in height. And they have a strong resistance to disease and pests. Occasional deadheading helps these beauties proliferate and maintain their neat appearance. Equally gorgeous when planted in container gardens or landscape. Rock City has 6 colors from which to choose – or try them all! MAINTENANCE
Regular watering and
fertilizing LIGHT
Full Sun to Partial Shade
SUNPATIENS » SUNPATIENSTM are near perfect for summertime gardening, as they grow into beautiful mounds of colorful blooms. If bright color is your goal, you’ll love the 11 different shades available at Rock City Gardens this season. Sunpatiens are gorgeous when grouped together in landscape garden beds, at the base of trees, or planted as a showstopper in a container garden. For optimal results in garden beds, plant them about 15” apart. Minor deadheading and moderate watering MAINTENANCE
LIGHT
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Partial to Full Sun
Summer is sultry. Our flowers of the month know how to beat the heat and keep their beautiful blooms vibrant all summer long.
PORTERWEED
COREOPSIS
» PORTERWEED is a perennial favorite, especially for those wanting to attract pollinators. Its upright blooms are ideal for container gardens, borders of garden beds, and creating a delightful butterfly garden. Available in blue and dwarf red, porterweed thrives in full sun. MAINTENANCE LIGHT
gardening
Easy!
Full Sun
» COREOPSIS is often called a pot of gold for its sunny color and prolific blooms. Our Early Sunrise and Jethro Tull series love lots of sunshine. Once they have established themselves in your garden, they won’t quit performing despite the heat or occasional lack of water. MAINTENANCE LIGHT
Easy!
Full Sun
Our friendly garden associates will happily help you select just the right summer flowers for your needs.
Brad´s Musings Succulent containers are the way to go, whether you have a brown thumb
Day-biters like Aedes aegypti (above) and Aedes albopictus (below) carry Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika, and they bite primarily in the day.
or you just don’t know. Succulent plants can go very dry They thrive on neglect so you won’t cry! Don’t be afraid of the summer heat! Succulents can take it. Your container will look neat! Aedes albopictus
about the poet
Brad is a long-time Rock City Gardens’ associate.
Culex mosquito
G A R DENING
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Summertime, with all its water sports and outdoor activities is also, unfortunately, the season that mosquitos thrive and bite. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people getting diseases from mosquitoes, ticks and flea bites has more than tripled in the U.S. in recent years. And mosquitos are the most active at dawn and dusk, common times for gardeners to be out and about! So, it’s smart to take preventive measures. Following are some of the most effective ways to get rid of mosquitoes and keep them away from your outdoor living areas and gardens. With a little extra precaution, you’ll keep those annoying little pests at bay and enjoy your time in the great outdoors. ELIMINATE STANDING WATER Mosquitoes need stagnant water to breed. It doesn’t take much water to support a mosquito colony. “Even a little soda cap can breed mosquitoes,” says Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, entomologist at the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University. So your first move, whether you’re trying to get rid of mosquitoes or prevent them from joining you in the first place, is to eliminate any standing water. LOOK FOR HIDDEN WATER SOURCES Common culprits where stagnant water may collect include flower pots, sand buckets, tire swings, children’s toys, grill covers, garbage can lids and baby pools. But there are many other places where water may lurk undetected — gutters, tarps, and outdoor furniture. Even plants, like bromeliads, can collect water. We’re certainly not suggesting eliminating bromeliads from your garden – just take a little extra time to check them periodically and eliminate any water that may have collected in the center. MAKE SURE YOUR HOME IS SEALED Ensure that screens on your windows are in good working order, and that your screen doors or other exterior doors close securely. Patch or replace screens around your lanai or other outdoor living space
if they have holes or don’t fit properly. PURCHASE A MOSQUITO-KILLING MACHINE There are multiple machines
on the market today that are effective at eliminating mosquitoes. Most machines are small and lightweight. They contain a UV light that attracts the pests and instantly kills them — without the mess of traps and harmful pesticides.
GARDENING BOUTIQUE SP E CIAL E VENTS
Garden Fun When a garden party includes seven acres of colorful plants and flowers, a large pond and entertainment deck, and manicured garden pathways worthy of the most discriminating attendee, one need not look any further than Rock City Gardens. Weddings, cocktail receptions, and non-profit fundraisers are but a few of the events we have proudly hosted over the years. Our gardens are a destination of choice, so scheduling your special event consultation well in advance is recommended. For more details, contact Barb 772-589-9791 or barb@rockcitygardens.com
Ask Doc Rock Q: Is crepe myrtle appropriate for my summer garden? A: Lagerstroemia, commonly known as crepe myrtle, is a deciduous tree or shrub that performs very well in our hot climate. You don’t need a large space to plant your new crepe myrtle, but it should be planted in an area that receives full sun. It's a prolific, colorful bloomer all summer long. Crepe myrtle thrives in well-drained soil, requires only moderate watering and the occasional all-purpose fertilizer. Contrary to popular belief, it does not need to be cut back every year! Rock City has an assortment of colors from which to choose, including pink, white, purple and red.
Elaine Erlanger
Succulent centerpiece designed by Elaine
Rock City Gardens’ designer
How Does Your Garden Grow? Rock City’s container garden designer and associate, Elaine Erlanger provides our clients with premium access to gorgeous, one-of-a-kind gardens of all shapes and sizes. Her creative talents and recent succulent gardens have garnered rave reviews. It’s also a natural talent. By the age of 16, she had a fully functioning greenhouse of her own. Elaine has been part of our team since 2016. Stop by and meet her during your next visit to Rock City Gardens. Container garden consultations can also be scheduled at 772.589.5835.
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HAPPY FATHER'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 © 2013-2018 Rock City Gardens