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Early Bloomer
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MARCH 2019
seven acres of inspiration
gardening
Spring arrives early to our region of Florida, so we like to get a jump-start on preparing our gardens for the impending warmer weather. We lucky Floridian gardeners need not worry about March coming in like a lion. With a green thumb and a bit of good luck, your March gardening can be a breeze. One of the many pleasures that Rock City relishes, is providing you with a colorful and healthy collection of springtime flowers and plants. And this month is no exception! Our flower houses are a sight to behold. It’s time to start thinking about replacing your cool weather plants with heat and drought tolerant plants and flowers. This issue of The Early Bloomer provides you with helpful tips for updating your landscape, what to plant this month to ensure colorful rewards, and how to get an early start on preventing pests from invading your garden. 2
MARCH-ING ORDERS! TREES: Prune your trees this month to provide clearance and reduce the risk of breakage. Remember to remove all dead, diseased, or injured branches. Only tackle minor pruning tasks in your landscape. Hire a professional for trees taller than 15 feet. Proper pruning also makes trees more resistant to storm damage. SHRUBS AND PLANTS: Pruning your shrubs and plants this month can positively affect flower production, help direct the growth and shape of your plants, and promote plant health. Prune flowering shrubs after they've bloomed in order to avoid cutting off new buds. MULCH: Replenish your mulch. Mulch moderates soil temperatures, keeping roots warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. It also helps sustain soil moisture, reducing the water needs of plants. It inhibits weeds, helps reduce soil erosion, and can also improve your soil quality.
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gardening
Pest Control: Early prevention is key Unfortunately, the same climate that makes Florida so ideal for gardening also provides conditions in which insects thrive. Monitor your landscape plants for the presence of aphids and other pests on tender new growth. Insects become more active as the weather warms, so getting a head start on your pest control is smart. Mealybugs, aphids, scales and whiteflies can all be problematic. Try using insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils – these can usually keep pests in check. Rock City Gardens offers many solutions, both natural and otherwise, for control of specific types of pests – stop by our garden center soon and our associates will gladly assist you.
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WE GROW FOR YOU! March is the month to place orders for your custom-grown flowers. Rock City’s unique “We Grow For You” program provides you with an opportunity to pre-order flowers in spring so they are ready to plant and flourish by fall and winter. If you need a minimum of 30 plants of any variety, our custom program is ideal. Order a specific variety, color and quantity with the assurance that your plants will be ready exactly when you need them. Rock City will have your custom flowers ready to pick up on a designated date. If you wish, we can also deliver and plant your flowers at your convenience. To guarantee the best selection, we recommend scheduling a consultation soon with one of our knowledgeable growers. Orders must be placed by April so we have time to prepare and grow your beautiful blooms. To schedule a consultation, contact Shirley at 772.589.5835 5
gardening
MARCH INTO SPRING at Rock City Gardens
PENTAS
CANNA LILIES
Âť PENTAS create beautiful container gardens. Our Falling Star series has a unique trailing habit, making it ideal for hanging baskets. Choose from shades of white, rose and pink. They not only survive, they thrive during the hottest months of the year!
Âť CANNA LILIES are showy and feature a stunning floral display of lily-like blooms. Available in tropical colors like mango, orange, red, rose and yellow, these tall beauties love the sun. Their variegated or solid green foliage create a beautiful backdrop for their colorful blooms.
MAINTENANCE: Water
MAINTENANCE: Water
LIGHT: Full
6
Sun
only as needed
regularly; light
deadheading. LIGHT: Full to Partial Sun
Our friendly garden associates will happily help you select just the right flowers for your springtime garden .
gardening
Our spring flowers are full of promise and ready for your perusal.
DELPHINIUM
SALVIA
» DELPHINIUM is fast growing and a real showstopper in your garden beds and borders. Its upright growth takes center stage in container gardens and are stunning in cut-flower arrangements. Available in white to dark blue blooms. These beauties will grow to approximately 36” in height.
» SALVIA does a spectacular job at attracting butterflies and other pollinators to your garden. Plant in full sun and these deep blue beauties will grow 24”– 36” in height. A prolific bloomer, salvia’s tall stalks of showy blooms are the center of attention in garden beds and container gardens.
MAINTENANCE: Water
MAINTENANCE:
needed LIGHT: Partial Shade
weekly or as
Easy! LIGHT: Full to Partial Sun
GARDEN BOUTIQUE
COOL, COLORFUL & CONTEMPORARY
The vessels from which your container gardens are displayed are often as much a work of art and personal design statement as the garden itself. Rock City’s newest collections of pottery offer something for everyone – from earthy and elegant, to bright and colorful.
Our new ficonstone pots are sleek and elegant. Their triple layer of fiberglass, concrete and stone make them ideal for both indoor and outdoor spaces. They’re also UV resistant – no worries about sun fading the finishes. The cement collection is a favorite with its smooth finish and uneven color shades, giving them a cool and contemporary look. The
FICONSTONE
ridged collection is a classic design. These round shaped pottery planters are available in all sizes and have a delicately ribbed surface, making them sturdy yet elegant choices for your container gardens. We love how these naturally sophisticated pots enhance the colors of your garden. For those that fancy pops of bright color, the rich appeal of Talavera pottery is especially fun. The brightly colored vessels were originally introduced to Mexico by Spanish guild artisans of the Colonial period. While the intricate polychrome designs show their Old World legacy, the native floral and animal motifs are classically Mexican. Visit soon for the best selection of new pottery designs!
TALAVERA
s p ec i a l e v e n ts
Succulent Garden Workshop & Lunch March 20th @ 10:15am $85 per person Join Rock City Gardens for this fun and creative hands-on workshop. Our talented designers will guide you in designing a beautiful succulent container garden. Materials and lunch will be provided. Materials include an 8" ceramic planter, seven 3" succulents, decorative river rock and soil. In order that we may plan appropriately for each participant, reservations and pre-payment are required. L I M I T E D T O 2 0 AT T E N D E E S
RSVP to events@rockcitygardens.com
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ASK
hat advice can you offer W for mulching around trees? A: March is a good month for mulching. Cooler weather is almost behind us and warm weather is right around the corner. Replenish your mulch to a maximum depth of 2”-3”. Adding too much can harm your trees because mulch intercepts rain and irrigation meant for their root systems. Remove old mulch before adding the new batch. Some mulches can become matted, preventing water and air from seeping through, which inhibits mulch’s natural ability to keep your soil temperature regulated. Finally, avoid “volcano” mulching. When mulch is piled against the base of the tree, it fools the tree into thinking it’s buried too deeply, which can stunt its growth and produce yellowing of foliage. Rock City Gardens has a wide range of mulch options and materials. Our associates are available to assist you on your next visit.
How Does Your Garden Grow? Our dedicated growers have ensured that March brings a host of culinary and medicinal herbs to our gardens. You’ll love their heathy, ornamental and delicious benefits. Planted in containers within steps of your kitchen, you can easily snip fresh herbs as often as needed. Rock City Gardens grows over 60 varieties from which to choose — no green thumb or luck of the Irish needed to enjoy!
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'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