The Early Bloomer - May 2016

The

Early Bloomer MAY 2016

s • en

ce l e

c

kc

a rs

• ro

Plant it, and they will come Perfect Pentas Treat Mom on Her Special Day How Does Your Garden Grow?

ye

ating 50 br

i t y g a rd

seven acres of inspiration

Zinnias

Pentas

Lantana

Salvia

Milkweed

May Blooms for Butterflies Pentas

Lantana

Salvia

Monarda (bee balm)

Zinnias

Leonotis leonurus

Tithonia

Buddleia

Coroepsis

Porterweed

Gaillardia

Rudbeckia

Cigar plant

Passion vines

Scabiosa

Milkweed

Agastache

2

Other summer fun favorites include: Caladiums and Periwinkle

gardening

Plant it, and they will come Did you know there are over 75 known species of butterflies in Indian River County? With names like Mangrove Skipper, Gray Hairstreak, and Sleepy Orange, watching them take flight creates a sense of peace and joy. It’s also a sign that summer is just around the corner.

Butterfly Necessities Nectar plants – produce nectar to attract and nourish adult butterflies Host plants – attract female butterflies and provide a food source for developing larvae

Water source – a shallow fountain or birdbath Butterfly gardens remain highly popular, nearby allows easy access to drinking water not only for their beauty but also for their and provides temperature regulation environmental qualities. (Check out our trivia continued questions on page 10 to learn more about butterflies and their environmental benefits.)

Visitors to Rock City frequently ask about plants and flowers that attract butterflies and birds, and what they need to do to cultivate sustained wildlife activity throughout the warmer months. Customers are pleasantly surprised to learn how easy it is to start a butterfly garden. And if you plant it, butterflies and birds will flock to your garden!

Butterflies are easy to attract, even if your garden is only a container or two of plants.

To create a sustainable garden for your newly attracted wildlife, it requires basic tools and a bit of thoughtful planning.

Choose a spot for your garden that’s sunny at least six hours of the day and preferably in an area with less wind.

3

gardening

Shelter – vegetation provides protection from storms and predators, and creates a spot for resting and sleeping. Stepping stones also provide a place of rest and enhances the beauty and functionality of your garden.

A smart design – horizontal and vertical gardenscapes with different heights of plants and flowers is aesthetically pleasing.

It also creates microclimates and feeding opportunities that appeal to multiple butterfly species.

Firebush

Gardening Tip Shrubs, such as Firebush (Hamelia patens), in your butterfly garden will not only attract butterflies, but will also help shelter them.

4

Ask Doc Rock To reap the benefits of a beautiful garden, knowledge is key. This month, Doc Rock has some helpful tips on how to keep pesky aphids out of your butterfly garden.

Q: How do I control aphids on my milkweed plants?

A: Aphids are common pests. Fortunately, they can be controlled safely and organically. Some plants, like marigolds, naturally help repel

aphids. Planting marigolds near your milkweed will do double-duty: repel unwanted bugs and attract more butterflies. Another clean solution is a mixture of a little soap and water sprayed directly on your milkweed plant. It will kill aphids but it won’t deter butterfly visits. Whatever safe pesticide control you choose to fight aphids, remember that early intervention is the key.

Need additional help? Stop by Rock City Gardens and our associates will gladly lend a hand.

5

plant of the month

Perfect Pentas Our hearts are aflutter for colorful Pentas. These lovable plants produce clusters of flowers in a profusion of colors, including shades of red, white, pink and purple. Pentas offer a foolproof means to attract flocks of butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden throughout the summer.

The origin for this tropical plants’ name comes from its five-pointed flower petals. Also called “Egyptian stars” for the bloom’s five-pointed shape, Pentas adds height, depth and color to your garden. Commonly planted in containers as well as flowerbeds, they are perfectly suited for the wild natural beauty of butterfly gardens.

Adding to their beauty, Pentas are low maintenance plants: • provided they get plenty of water, sunshine and heat, they will perform beautifully and reward you with an abundance of blooms • deadhead the flowers to encourage more blooms • mulch around in-ground plants to conserve water and repel weeds

6

7

garden boutique

Treat Mom on Her Special Day Sunday, May 8th Mom deserves the best all year long, and especially on Mother’s Day. Whether you’re shopping for your mother, daughter, grandma, mother-in-law or a close friend, our Garden Boutique is adorned with dozens of great gifts guaranteed to wow her. She’ll love our beautiful home and garden décor. From funny to fabulous, you’ll find just the right gift to fit her unique personality.

Not sure which gorgeous gift to get?

Consider a Rock City Gardens gift card.

8

9

reader quiz

Hey, Gardener!

Wha•da•ya•know?

Brad's Musings

Let your gardening knowledge take flight with these fun trivia questions.

1. True or False? A butterfly will meet an untimely demise once its wings are touched by human hands.

She put a bandage on your cut When you fell right off the swing.

She also got you to school on time Before the tardy bell could ring.

2. What is the minimal temperature at which a butterfly will fly?

This Mother’s Day, don’t forget her For she has done so much.

Get Mom a special gift with a very special touch.

Why are butterflies a good indicator of a healthy environment?

3. How do butterflies taste their food? master - gardener level

Now that you’re flying high, it’s time to tackle the master-gardener challenge.

Flutter by Rock City’s Facebook page soon for the answer.

about the poet

10

Sources: ButterflyBreeders.com and Penang Butterfly Garden Blog Answers: 1. False. Touching a butterfly will not hurt it, but you might rub off some of the color of its wings, which are actually miniature scales. 2. Butterflies are cold-blooded and they won’t fly once the temperature dips below 50 degrees. 3. Butterflies taste with their feet, which have tiny receptors that allow them to taste the food on which they land.

Brad is a long-time Rock City Gardens’ associate.

special events

Rock City Gardens

GARDEN BOUTIQUE

HARDSCAPING

CONTAINER GARDENING

LANDSCAPING

PLANT CARE

HOMEGROWN FLOWERS

A PLACE TO GROW You’re never too young or too old to visit Rock City’s seven acres of home and garden inspiration.

We’ve cultivated glorious blooms and outdoor living spaces for over 50 years.

9080 U.S. HWY 1 | ROCKCITYGARDENS.COM | 772.589.5835

11

How Does Your Garden Grow?

May is for mulching. It not only adds a finishing touch to your garden beds, mulch makes your plants happier. It saves water by reducing moisture and provides shading of the soil, which keeps the root zone from overheating. When laid at the proper thickness, it can help prevent weeds from growing. Take advantage of our wide varieties of mulch during your next visit to Rock City Gardens.

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 © 2013-2016 Rock City Gardens