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NOVEMBER 2018
seven acres of inspiration
GARDENING
Every year can be challenging in some way – whether it’s large or small challenges is in the eye of the beholder. As we anticipate the rapidly approaching Thanksgiving and holiday season, it’s easy to lament the obstacles we’ve faced during the past year. Extreme heat, wilted expectations and, yes, the ominous red tide. But where a flower grows, there is hope and thanksgiving. At Rock City Gardens, we have plenty of reasons to be grateful. For you, our loyal followers and friends. For the beautiful growing season that is producing an abundance of colorful blooms, just to name a few. This Thanksgiving when you gather ‘round the table for the traditional feast-ivities and give your family an opportunity to say what they are thankful for, following are a few gifts from nature that you can add to the list!
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SMALL MIRACLES GARDENING
As gardeners, we appreciate and strive for as many pollinators as we can get into our garden. In addition to pollinating, they also disperse seeds. We can show our gratitude for these small friends by using organic products and practicing natural and safe pest control – your garden and the environment will thank you in return.
Share
your 'garden gratitude'on Rock City Gardens’ Facebook or Instagram.
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NATIVE PLANTS Plants that are well-adapted to our local environment rule the roost. They save time and money with less maintenance, fewer fertilizer needs, and they save our most valuable natural resource: water. Natives also provide valuable habitats and food for birds and other wildlife.
THE BASICS We’re thankful for the basics: the soil, the sun, and rain that allow our plants to grow and thrive. We know that all beautiful gardens start with great soil. Gardeners also appreciate all the small things the soil nurtures, from microscopic bacteria to barely visible seeds that turn into breathtaking shows of nature.
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EVERY GARDEN As obvious as it sounds, we’re thankful for every single garden. Yours and ours. Gardeners support one another as we work to grow and sustain beautiful gardens. So, whether it’s a single pot of bright red geraniums by the pool or acres of lush landscaping, we’re grateful. 5
GARDENING
November Blooms
VERBENA
COLEUS CANINA COLEUS CANINA with its large, dark green foliage are striking in garden beds. And if keeping critters like bunnies, cats and foxes at bay is important to your garden maintenance, you’ll love our Bunny Gone series. It’s most effective and hearty in dry conditions, so watering is rarely needed. MAINTENANCE LIGHT
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VERBENA is a cascading flower and a favorite for hanging baskets and container gardens. Available in black velvet, red, white and pink, verbena is a prolific bloomer. It reaches heights of 8” – 10” and will provide beautiful color throughout the winter. MAINTENANCE Water LIGHT
Easy!
only as needed
Full to Partial Sun
Full to Partial Sun
Our friendly garden associates will happily help you select just the right winter blooms!
GARDENING
Thanksgiving is a beautiful time in our gardens. Our November plants and flowers are especially captivating, easy to maintain, and ready to make your holiday gardens picture-perfect.
LANDSCAPE GERBERA LANDSCAPE GERBERA is the perfect garden bed bloomer. Shades of yellow, lavender, pink, red, orange and white produce a colorful landscape showstopper. They love the sun and can reach 16” – 20” in height. Ideal for large containers, too. MAINTENANCE Water LIGHT
Full Sun
only as needed
SCENTED GERANIUMS SCENTED GERANIUMS do double duty. Not only are their fragrant green leaves a lovely addition to the garden, their scent of lemon and musk keep the mosquitos away. To enjoy the intensity of their fragrance, gently rub the leaves. Scented geraniums are also edible, and add a delicious flavor to teas and baked goods. MAINTENANCE LIGHT
Keep moist, but not wet.
Full to Partial Sun
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Brad´s Musings
Sustaining Our Lagoon ANNUAL BENEFIT 2018
Go turn on the television. Wouldn’t you know it’s getting cold up north, might even snow. No time for a heater, no time for a sweater we live in Florida! That makes me feel better.
Thursday, November 8th 6:00 PM Rock City Gardens Friends and members of the Indian River Land Trust will gather again at Rock City Gardens for the annual benefit, Land Water Wildlife: Sustaining the Lagoon. Enjoying
Colorful flowers that won’t go away.
cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, a buffet
So many perennials Come see us today
and making S'mores is now a
dinner, dancing under the stars, tradition in its 13th year at Rock City. To secure tickets call 772.794.0701 or
CLICK TO PURCHASE TICKETS!
about the poet
Brad is a long-time Rock City Gardens’ associate.
The Real First American Thanksgiving Story Forget what you learned in elementary school about the Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock. It turns out that America’s first recorded English Thanksgiving was actually a Southern story, held in Virginia on December 4, 1619. That’s one year and 17 days before the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts! The account was lost to history until Dr. Lyon Tyler, the son of President John Tyler and the head of College of William and Mary, discovered it in the Nibley Papers, which he found buried in the annals of the New York Public Library in 1931.
The papers held a first-hand report of Captain John Woodlief’s journey from Bristol, England, to the New World in 1619. Along with 35 settlers, Woodlief traveled across the Atlantic on the “Good Ship Margaret” and sailed up the James River to what is now Berkeley Plantation. Before setting out on their journey, the settlers received a proclamation from the Berkeley Company, who financed the trip, with a list of 10 instructions. The first directive was to give thanks immediately upon arrival and to continue the practice “yearly and perpetually.” The ceremony was a simple one—not much more than a prayer of thanksgiving. Source: Garden & Gun magazine
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:: ROCK CITY SPOTLIGHT ::
Kristin Dipentima In a world where people live so plugged in to social media, shining a light on everything they do in their daily lives, it’s refreshing when a leader doesn’t need the limelight to do great work. That’s Kristin Dipentima, our Garden Boutique’s retail manager. Kristin joined our team five years ago, bringing with her a wealth of retail management experience. Few people know that Kristin holds a culinary arts degree and was a successful pastry chef in Miami. She was also instrumental in developing a line of healthy frozen foods for a gourmet food market – before organic and healthy were a market commodity! From there, it led to managing Cushman’s and Hale Groves’ catalog businesses. Like a good chef orchestrating her kitchen with precision, anticipating what her clients want, Kristin brings that same skill to buying and merchandising for Rock City’s Garden Boutique.
“Everywhere I go, I wear many hats. It just comes naturally,” Kristin said. And she is quick to give credit to the team of 10 designers and staff that she manages. When we asked her what she liked best about being the retail manager, she admitted she loves the challenge of forecasting what Rock City’s clients will want for the coming seasons and then planning the merchandising to meet the need. She goes to market twice a year with co-owner, Rhonda Lowe, to purchase just the right home and garden décor to satisfy their discerning clientele. And she does it very well. If you haven’t visited Rock City’s Garden Boutique recently, it’s well worth a visit to see the gorgeous displays of home and garden décor that Kristin and her team have created.
G AR D E N BOU TIQU E
A cornucopia of Home and Garden Décor Undisputable signs of Thanksgiving are the bounty of colorful cornucopia, gorgeous fall wreaths that welcome friends and family, and, of course, the Tom Turkey sightings in all shapes and sizes. From elegant to nostalgic, no Thanksgiving presentation is complete without them. If you missed our sensational All-Holidays Open House last month, no need to fret. Rock City’s Garden Boutique has been restocked with all your favorite holiday home and garden décor. You don’t want to miss the beautiful silk arrangements and holiday displays created by our talented team.
From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving !
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When is the best time to plant winter annuals? If you’re longing to get your gardens and landscaping in fine shape for the holidays but you’re not sure if now is the appropriate planting time, you’re in luck. Right now is the ideal time to plant your annuals. With the onset of our recent cooler temperatures and the shifting sunlight, it’s nature’s signals that we can safely plant new blooms. Rock City’s flower house is glowing with beautiful new flowers and foliage, another nod from Mother Nature that we can settle in for a long and happy winter’s nap. Visit soon for the best selections. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Our knowledgeable Rock City Gardens associates are ready to assist during your next visit.
How Does Your Garden Grow? Rock City Gardens is now on Instagram (@rockcitygardens). Follow us and share your favorite home and garden-related images. Watch for our upcoming daily surprises, contests, special flower features, and garden boutique goodies throughout the holidays. Love what you see? Let us hear from you! Download the Instagram app today!
CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY :: NOVEMBER 22
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
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