The Early Bloomer - December 2013

The Early Bloomer seven acres of inspiration

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2013

Christmas Traditions in this issue Christmas Traditions Our Favorite Gifts of the Season The Gift of Nature Glorious December Blooms Alfresco Holidays Saving the Indian River Lagoon How Does Your Garden Grow?

garden boutique

Christmas Traditions It’s the most wonderful time of the year; Christmas at Rock City Gardens. And it’s especially magical with all the sights, sounds, and scents that bring back fond memories and traditions of holidays spent with family and friends. The Garden Boutique is aglow with holiday accessories and gift-giving ideas for those special friends and family on your list. (Yourself included!)

Perhaps our favorite pick of the season is the tabletop, pre-lit tree adorned with NoMonet jewels created from vintage brass filigree and Swarovski crystals. The beauty lies not only in the delicate and pretty ornaments, but how this tree can also become the start of a beautiful tradition. Rock City Gardens’ co-owner,

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Rhonda Lowe has a similar tabletop tree to which she has been adding ornaments for over 30 years. Each ornament has a special story behind it and each year the Lowes add new memories.

Rock City’s themed trees range in size and style, from elegant to so natural that even Mother Nature would be fooled.

Imagine a salute to our fine-feathered friends with a Christmas tree adorned with multiple species of birds. If you prefer a more elegant touch, you’ll love our gold formal tree. From delicate glass and hand-painted ornaments to fun colorful designs, there is something for just about everyone! We’ve selected a few of our favorite things for this month’s Early Bloomer to help generate ideas for fulfilling your holiday gift-giving list. (See page 4.)

The Garden Boutique is open seven days a week for your shopping convenience.

Remember to allow time for a pleasant stroll through our gardens. It’s an amazing place to let your imagination come out to play for a little while.

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garden boutique

Our Favorite Gifts of the Season Made in America • Door Knob Sleigh Bells – made by the same company that makes the Anheuser Busch Clydesdale horses’ bells and leather harnesses • Tapestry Ornaments • Fun Bracelets made from recycled products • C orinthian Bells Windchimes – beautiful sounding and guaranteed for life!

• Handcrafted Designer Baskets • Christmas Lori Mitchell Figures

Fair Trade and Sustainable Gifts Fair trade products create sustainable income opportunities leading to poverty alleviation, improved livelihoods and environmental stewardship. Artisan production is carried out in townships and homes of the artisans in order to maintain their independence and promote an intact family nucleus.

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• Wild Woolies – each handcrafted, felt character has a personality all its own

• ProPueblo Collectibles – made from Tagua Nuts and polished to a delicate sheen

• Pampeana Vegetable Ivory Ornaments – organic and exquisite

• dZi inc – collectibles and ornaments created by Himalayan artisans

Home Décor and Garden Accessories • Life-size Father Christmas with bag of old-fashioned toys • Tabletop, pre-lit tree adorned with NoMonet jewels created from vintage brass filigree and Swarovski crystals • Stockings for your puppies and kittens • Christmas additions to your Fairy Garden Collection • Hand-carved Wood Birds • Holiday Floral Picks • Fabulous Ornaments • Stunning Cachepots – available in a wide range of colors and sizes • Beautiful Water Features – indoor and outdoor fountains • Fragrant Herb Gardens – new varieties include Lemon Grass, Germander, French Tarragon, Lemon Mint, Scented GeraniumCitrosa, Rosemary Prostrata, and French Thyme • Fresh Magnolia wreaths, swags and garland – must be pre-ordered and can be delivered as late as Christmas Eve • Exquisite Permanent Botanicals

Stocking Stuffers • Soap Leaves – in Cucumber, Honey and Papaya scents • Trapp Candles – the White Fir is fabulous!

• Root Soy Candles – beautiful and clean-burning • Medicinal and Gardener soaps • Olive oil “no bite” soap • “No bite me” ointment – keeps the bugs away!

• Herb scissors – perfect for the cook on your list • Handcrafted, organic bracelets • Gardener Favorites – tools, nailbrushes and gloves

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gardening

The Gift of Nature ‘Tis the season for winter annuals at their

and outings while enjoying beautiful

peak of perfection – and for enjoying the

gardens?

many benefits of our mild winters and

A stroll along our garden and pond

natural surroundings. Rock City’s flower houses and greenhouses are brimming with beautiful blooms and sub-tropical plants of all sizes and colors. Our sevenacre nursery and grounds have never looked better. If you haven’t yet visited us this season, now is an ideal time. Where else can you do your holiday shopping

pathways can quickly alleviate any holiday stress. It’s peaceful and inspiring. It’s also perfect for your family and friends’ holiday gathering. We graciously open our Gardens to you and yours this holiday season. Inspiration and memories guaranteed.

Container Garden of the Month Glorious December Blooms It’s beginning to look like Christmas in the Gardens! Our December container garden of the month is glorious and perfect for your holiday festivities.

Planted within a white, high-gloss ceramic pot are African Iris, Pentas (Graffiti Series Red Lace), Snapdragon (White Speedy Sonnet), Euphorbia (Diamond Frost), Dusty Miller, Geranium (Survivor DK Red), Ivy Geranium (Contesa White and Precision Red Ice).

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Rock City’s colorful foxglove, snapdragon and heliotrope create holiday eye candy!

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hardscapes

Alfresco Holidays This holiday, draw friends and family

be designed from decorative cachepots

together in an outdoor room designed

and can include an auto-fill pump so

to seamlessly expand your home,

you never have to refill your fountain.

and you’ll really get the conversations

Firepits are available in a beautiful

flowing. The warmth of a firepit or the

selection of man-made materials or can

coolness of a water feature instantly

be customized with natural stone.

enhances your outdoor space – and makes everyone in it more welcome

To order your firepit or water feature

and comfortable. Both features include

in time for the new year, contact

premade or custom designs from which

Wade Baxley, General Manager at

to choose. A custom fountain can even

772.589.5835.

Gifts for You and Yours • Outdoor Fireplace – wood or gas options, premade or custom • Firepit – perfect for small spaces with just the right amount of warmth • Outdoor Kitchen • Decorative Gravel • Natural Mulches • Bulk Potting and Fill Soils • Water Features — including re-circulating fountains, available in many sizes

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special events

Saving the Indian River Lagoon Rock City Gardens once again hosted the Indian River Land Trust fundraiser this year. While 2013 marked the 10th consecutive year that we have hosted the event, it also kicked off the Land Trust’s capital campaign to save the Indian River Lagoon, acre by acre. On November 7th, more than 400 people joined us for a beautiful evening of dinner and dancing. More than $200,000 was raised, including an auction that generated $120,000 within the first five minutes. Congratulations to the Indian River Land Trust and to Rock City Gardens’ dedicated staff for an impressive event!

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Named after the French botanist, Pierre Magnol, Magnolia is an ancient genus. Specimens of Magnolia have been found dating to 20 million years ago, appearing even before bees.

Today, magnolia is a beautiful and natural solution for holiday decorating. To order your fresh Magnolia wreaths, swags or garland, please contact us at 772.589.5835.

Pre-ordering is required, and deliveries can occur as late as Christmas Eve.

Holiday Garden Hours!

seven acres of inspiration

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

The Early Bloomer © Rock City Gardens

Monday – Friday Saturday – Sunday Christmas Eve Closed Christmas Day Closed for inventory Closed New Year’s Day

8:00 am – 6:00 pm 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 8:00am - Noon Dec. 30th – 31st