The Early Bloomer - June 2013

The Early Bloomer seven acres of inspiration

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2013

Dining Out

in this issue Dining Out Satisfying Summer Flowers Seashells and Coral – Beautiful Florida Décor Father’s Day Scavenger Hunt Container Garden of the Month Have You Visited Our New Website?

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outdoor living ideas

Dining Out

Fire Roasted Berry Crostini with Honey Crème Fraiche

Living on the coast of Florida definitely has

Grill this super simple dessert right before you serve it.

its advantages, including year-round alfresco dining. Outdoor kitchens are ideal for our coastal lifestyle because they strike the perfect balance between casual living and urban refinement. And what better place to entertain family and friends than in a custom designed outdoor cooking area. Dining “out” takes on a whole new meaning!

Whether you want a simple space for grilling or a beautiful outdoor kitchen, Rock City Gardens’ new hardscape division is the essential source for creating or updating your outdoor rooms.

Our designers and certified installers can help take your vision to reality. Innovative elements like a pizza oven, bars, grills, wine chillers and water features are available in a wide range of styles.

Rock City Gardens is a Belgard Authorized Contractor. All of our hardscape materials come with Belgard’s lifetime guarantee and Rock City’s installations carry two-year warranties. For a personal consultation, please call our General Manager, Wade Baxley at 772.589.5835.

½ cup crème fraiche 1 Tablespoon honey 3 half-inch-thick slices of country bread, halved crosswise Softened unsalted butter, for brushing ¼ cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling 4 cups mixed fresh berries Pinch of kosher salt 1. Light the grill. In a bowl, whisk the crème fraiche with the honey.

2. Brush both sides of the bread slices with butter and generously sprinkle with sugar. Grill the bread over moderately high heat, turning once until crisp and caramelized, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let cool.

3. In a medium bowl, toss the berries with the ¼ cup of sugar and the salt.

Spread the berries on a perforated grill sheet or in a grill basket and grill over moderately high heat, tossing until starting to burst, approximately 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool slightly.

4. Spoon the berries on the crostini and top with dollops of the honey crème fraiche.

FOOD & WINE magazine, June 2013

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new varietals

Satisfying Summer Flowers Choosing the right plants for our summer, subtropical climate is important to ensure their survival and beauty.

There are several flower varieties that enjoy the summer season, some of which prefer shade and others that can withstand full or partial sun. At Rock City Gardens, we have a host of heat tolerant plants available in a multitude of colors.

For your convenience, we’ve organized a handy list of our best-selling varieties, organized by shade, sun and partial sun requirements. These plants will help keep your gardens perky and bright all through the summer months.

When you visit Rock City Gardens, our knowledgeable sales associates will guide you to the right plants for your growing environment.

Shade Plants

4”-6” Pot

Coleus $3.99 Torenia $2.39 Caladiums: $3.99 Thai Caladium Humboldii Pink Splash

Partial Sun

4”-6” Pot

Caladiums: $3.99 Aaron Raspberry Moon Highlighter Freida Hemple Angelonia $3.99

Full Sun

4”-6” Pot

Caladiums: $3.99 Carolyn Wharton Tri-color Butterfly Purslane $3.99 Periwinkle $1.99 Available in 7 colors of upright and 7 colors of cascading Angelonia $3.99 Cuphea $2.49

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Although plants require more watering during the summer months, take care not to over water them, as this can cause root rot. A good rule of thumb is to simply keep them evenly moist.

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Fun Fact Florida is the only state in the continental U.S. with shallow coral reef formations near its coast. Corals are classified as animals, yet microscopic plants live within animal tissues in a symbiotic relationship. Coral animals benefit from sugars and oxygen that the plants provide through photosynthesis, and the plants gain nutrients from animal waste. These tiny plants give coral much of its color.

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Photo courtesty www.freeimages.co.uk

Source: Department of Environmental Protection

garden boutique

Seashells and Coral – beautiful Florida décor There is something that lures us to the beach in search of the perfect shell – no knicks or blemishes, no barnacles attached. Perfect specimens of all colors and sizes are hard to find, but not if you’re searching at Rock City’s Garden Boutique.

Equally striking is the natural beauty of our legally harvested coral collection, including Birdnest, Cauliflower and Lettuce Cup. Ranging in size and complexity, our collections of shells and coral make wonderful displays for your coastal décor and unique gifts for that special occasion.

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special events

Father’s Day Scavenger Hunt Saturday, June 15th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Dads and kids are invited to join us at Rock City Gardens for a special Father’s Day Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, June 15th. Drop by anytime between 10am and 4pm and join the fun. Garden associates will be on hand with a list of items from which to search and provide guidance through the gardens. Our garden paths, flower houses and pond provide the perfect place for hunting nature’s treasures. When you’ve completed the search, stop by our new outdoor living area for grilled hotdogs, chips and a drink.

The entire event is free of charge! Although reservations are not required, we kindly request that you RSVP to Margaret at 772.589.5835 or admin@rockcitygardens.com so we are properly prepared.

Scavenger Hunt participants receive a Garden Boutique coupon for 20% off purchases made that day.

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June 15th

Container of the Month Summer officially starts in June, and with it comes longer days and plenty of Florida sunshine. This month’s container garden, planted in a beautiful, orange glazed urn is the perfect tribute. Featured are Zinnia, Croton Zanzibar, Calibracoa Million Bells, and Purslane. These hearty plants are heat tolerant and promise to bring a smile to your face all summer long.

For more information about our custom container gardens, including individualized plant care, please contact Rhonda Lowe at 772.589.5835.

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Have you visited our new website?

Rock City Gardens’ website has a fresh, new design. Easy to navigate, beautiful photography shot on location, and a smart reference for updating your gardens and outdoor living spaces, our new website provides the inspiration.

Visit RockCityGardens.com and let your imagination run wild.

seven acres of inspiration

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

The Early Bloomer Š Rock City Gardens