The Early Bloomer - March 2015

The Early Bloomer seven acres of inspiration

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2015

See Rock City in this issue See Rock CIty A Sea of Green Lush and Gorgeous Lucky You! Outdoor Spaces Spark Creativity Special Events & Seminars How Does Your Garden Grow?

see rock city

See Rock City 50 years in the making This year marks the 50th anniversary of Rock City Gardens. We’re proud that our retail garden center has grown into a destination of choice for Floridians and visitors alike. Owned and expertly managed by Tom and Rhonda Lowe since 1983, their natural talent for creating and maintaining seven acres of beautiful tropical gardens is evidence of their passion for the business.

Originally named Wabasso Nursery, Ralph Ruhl, a native of Miami and an avid gardener, started the business in the 1960’s. In 1978, Ed and Hilda Chapin purchased the nursery and renamed it Rock City Gardens – after the popular Tennessee tourist attraction, Rock City. The Chapins were second-generation owners of Rock City and seasonal residents of Vero Beach.

Rather serendipitously, Tom and Rhonda Lowe moved to Wabasso from Chicago in 1980 to manage Rock City Gardens and entered into a partnership with the Chapins. By 1983, Tom and Rhonda purchased the nursery and the rest, as they say, is history.

“When we arriv

than the plants

—Rhonda Lowe, Rock 2

ved in 1980, the weeds were taller

s. But we jumped in feet first.�

k City Gardens co-owner 3

see rock city

Staying true to their roots and aspirations, the Lowes grew the business from an unknown, bare-bones garden nursery, to seven acres of inspiration. Today, you’ll find expert advice on garden designs, colorful container gardens, fresh ideas

for outdoor rooms, a garden boutique filled with unique home accents, and an amazing selection of flowers grown on site.

Visit Rock City Gardens any day of the week, free of charge, and soak in all the glorious gardening muse you can muster.

The February issue of Vero Beach Magazine featured the story of Rock City’s history. As luck would have it, you can read the full article here:

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Click here for the full article

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Bone Fish

Sea Weed

A Sea of Green – King Crab

Lime Shrimp

Lion Fish

and purple, coral, red, and yellow Coleus have undergone an amazing transformation in the past few years. No longer relegated to the dark corners of the garden, this brightly colored foliage can now take center stage in full sun thanks to numerous sun-tolerant introductions. Rock City Gardens recently added a sophisticated variety of coleus to our horticulture collections. Under the SeaTM from Hort Couture is a series of dazzling colors reminiscent of life on a coral reef.

Beautifully displayed, you’ll love diving into the unique and award-winning Under the SeaTM Collection. While supplies last, choose from nine colorful varieties, including:

• Bone Fish • King Crab • Lime Shrimp • Lion Fish • Sun Fish

• Yellowfin Tuna • Red Coral • Sea Weed • Gold Anemone

Sun Fish

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Yellowfin Tuna

Red Coral

Gold Anemone

container garden of the month

Lush and Gorgeous Our beautiful March container of the month is ablaze with color.

Set within a 14" square pot are Coleus, Supertunia Red Petunia, Supertunia Mini Blue Petunia, and Superbells Yellow Calibrachoa.

All of these lush varieties love the sun. For other striking outdoor container ideas, contact Rhonda Lowe at 772.589.5835.

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garden boutique

Lucky You! The Garden Boutique is brimming with fun new home and garden collections. This month, we’re featuring our new Wallaroo Hats.

Approved by the Melanoma International Foundation, these lightweight hats not only shield the sun from your eyes while gardening or walking along the beach, they also provide UV protection. Wallaroo donates 1% of its annual sales to skin cancer research and education in the Unites States.

You asked for more artwork, and we delivered. You’ll love the framed animal photography featuring pets caught in precarious situations.

The personality of each animal comes shining through. For you bird watchers, our colorful hand-painted artwork with birds of all feathers is a must-see.

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garden boutique

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hardscapes

Outdoor Spaces Spark Creativity For centuries, creative souls have sought refuge and inspiration in the calming atmosphere of outdoor spaces. Virginia Woolf wrote her masterpieces in a little shed at the far end of her garden at Monk’s House in Sussex, England. Claude Monet famously immortalized the ethereal lily ponds of his garden in Giverny, France. Roald Dahl’s vine-covered garden writing hut in Buckinghamshire, England was surrounded by flowering fruit trees, cocooning his writing haven in greenery.

Creating a serene retreat can be as simple as discretely tucking a weatherresistant table and chairs among your

A local artist’s sanctuary, with reading nook and painting studio, lies beneath a pergola and is surrounded by lush container gardens and fruit trees.

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garden’s greenery and planting stepping stones for a garden path leading to your secret garden. For a more ornate space, a warmly lit pavilion set near a calming water feature or cozy fire pit is a beautifully serene space in which to let your mind wander unencumbered and allow creative impulses to flow freely.

Whether large or small, your outdoor space is a reflection of your personality and what makes you happy. For outdoor living ideas and a personal consultation, contact Wade Baxley, General Manager at 772.589.5835.

special events & seminars

Grow Up! Vertical Gardening seminar Saturday, March 7th 10:00am Rock City Gardens proudly welcomes Derek Fell, author of the popular book Vertical Gardening and former White House vegetable gardening consultant during the Ford Administration. Join us on Saturday, March 7th for a fun visual presentation as Fell demonstrates how to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers up instead of out. You’ll learn how to produce an abundant harvest in less space using various structures to create beautiful vertical gardens.

A widely published author of numerous garden books including Vertical Gardening and Grow This! Fell has written books about gardening philosophies of Claude Monet, August Renoir, Paul Cezanne and Frank Lloyd Wright. A former catalog manager for Burpee Seeds, he also worked as executive director of All-America Selections and the National Garden Bureau.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn vertical gardening tips from a widely acclaimed expert and author. Attendance is free and reservations are recommended. Please RSVP at admin@rockcitygardens.com or 772.589.5835.

Starlight & Sneakers SunUp ARC special event Thursday, March 19th 6:00pm – 9:30pm Rock City Gardens will host this season’s SunUp ARC fundraiser as the organization celebrates over 38 years of providing support for individuals with special needs in Indian River County. Our newly renovated greenhouse will set the stage for a bountiful buffet beneath sparkling chandeliers. Sport your bejeweled sneakers and casual attire and join us for an enchanting gala greenhouse garden party.

For ticket details, please contact Noreen at SunUp ARC at 772.562.6854 (x228).

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Jade and Wine Shamrock Oxalis

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Fun Facts: “The Wearing of the Green” is a traditional Irish folksong that dates back to the Rebellion of 1798 when the Irish rose up against the British. At the time, wearing green clothing or shamrocks was considered a rebellious act. The song mocks that practice, and it popularized the color green and the shamrock as symbols of Irish pride. Today, shamrocks and wearing green still reflect Irish pride and good luck.

Erin Go Bragh!

Hours

seven acres of inspiration

9080 U.S.. Hwy 1 Wabasso, Florida 32970 772-589-5835 RockCityGardens.com

Monday through Friday Saturday and Sunday

8:00am – 6:00pm 9:00am – 5:00pm

© 2013-2015 Rock City Gardens