The Gardens Gate – November 2022

2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd.

Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

Phone: 772.337.1959

Fax: 772.237.5952 Email: info@pslbg.org Web: www.pslbg.org

Pavilion, Garden Center and Gift Shop Hours:

Wednesday Saturday 10:00am 4:00pm

Sunday 12:00pm - 4:00pm

FURRY FRIENDS ARE WELCOMED ACCOMPANIED BY RESPONSIBLE OWNERS. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PET TO RELIEVE THEMSELVES IN OUR GARDEN ROOMS. PET STATIONS ARE LOCATED AROUND THE GARDENS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. SKATES, BOARDS & BICYCLES ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE WALKWAYS IN THE GARDENS

Suggested Donations:

Adults $5 • Students $2

Free for FPSLBG Members and Active Military with family (IDs required)

Mission Statement...

Friends’ mission is to create and maintain a beautiful, serene sanctuary in the center of Port St. Lucie that is environmentally sound and naturally diverse and to provide educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for all who visit.

Officers & Directors...

President: Jeff Chambers Vice President: Heather Furnari Secretary: Mary Petrone Treasurer: Cathy Russo Directors: Mark A. Barnes John Erickson

Jeanette Kostival Judy Nash Wade

Standing Committee Chairs...

Election Committee: Stephanie Alessandrini Giarraffa Finance Committee: Cathy Russo

Gift Shop Committee: Jeanette Kostival Horticulture Committee: Jeff Chambers

Membership & Volunteer Committee: Jeanette Kostival Resource Development Committee: Heather Furnari Strategic Planning Committee: TBD

Newsletter...

Editor & Design: Mark A. Barnes

The Gardens is managed and operated by Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, Inc., a non profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization, that was founded to help support the daily operations of The Gardens. Friends volunteers provide hands on daily oversight of the facility, including staffing to handle the many visitors year round. Please consider becoming a member of Friends. Friends' is a 100% volunteer organization. In all cases, donations are deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Hello Everyone!

Once again it’s time to welcome back our Snowbirds! All of us at The Gardens are glad to see you all coming back and can’t wait to see you here.

A lot has happened at The Gardens. The Serenity Garden will be finished by the end of October and the Secret Garden will soon follow. It seems like nothing was ever happening, and then all at once it started to all come together. Thanks to the City of Port St. Lucie for their resolve to make things happen.

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, the Election for the Board of Directors is fast approaching. If you are a member in good standing have the required 25 volunteer hours, please think about joining our Board. We need good people with great communication skills and the desire to give back to the Community. We could use team players to take us to the next level. Check out the Website and see what we do and who we are. Contact the Elections Committee for more information at elections@pslbg.org.

The Port Project is moving along as well as the Peacock Lodge renovation. The Port St. Lucie Historical Society will be moving in and will be a great addition to the Port area. The Project has definitely impacted The Gardens. Once the project is completed, I hope everyone sees the benefits not only to The Gardens, but how amazing the entire site will be for our citizens and visitors!

As always we are looking for volunteers to help keep The Gardens growing. With the installation of the fence, we will extend our hours and really need your help to make this happen.

The Holiday Lights at The Gardens will soon be happening and once again we need volunteers in all areas. If you like Christmas lights and Santa, come join us!

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President this past year. It has been an honor to work with amazing volunteers, the Directors and the City Parks and Recreation Department and our Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Council and the City Manager’s office.

You guys are the best!

Jeff (aka the Captain)

Jeff Chambers, President

Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

DATE EVENT

START END

11/02/22 Tai Chi @ The Gardens 9:00 AM 10:00 AM

11/03/22 Garden Rooms Meeting with Tim Sutton 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 11/04/22 Lunch & Learn with KPSLB 11:45 AM 1:30 PM 11/07/22 Sunset Yoga at The Gardens 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 11/08/22 PSL Orchid Society Meeting 12:00 PM 3:00 PM 11/09/22 Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society Jazz Jams 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 11/09/22 Tai Chi @ The Gardens 9:00 AM 10:00 AM

11/10/22 PSL Anglers Club Meeting 5:30 PM 9:30 PM 11/12/22 Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival 9:00 AM 3:00 PM 11/14/22 FPSLBG Board of Directors Meeting 4:30 PM 6:00 PM 11/14/22 Rio Lindo Board Meeting 10:30 AM 11:30 AM 11/14/22 Sunset Yoga at The Gardens 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 11/15/22 KWVTCC 166 Meeting 10:00 AM 2:00 PM 11/16/22 St. Lucie Master Gardeners Meeting 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 11/16/22 Tai Chi @ The Gardens 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11/17/22 Treasure Coast Rare Fruit Club Meeting 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 11/21/22 Restorative Yoga at The Gardens 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 11/21/22 Sandpiper Bay Community Meeting 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 11/23/22 Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society Jazz Jams 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 11/23/22 Tai Chi @ The Gardens 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11/24/22 HAPPY THANKSGIVING - CLOSED 12:00 AM 11:59 PM 11/25/22 Holiday Lights at The Gardens 5:00 PM 9:00 PM 11/26/22 Holiday Lights at The Gardens 5:00 PM 9:00 PM 11/26/22 Treasure Coast Bonsai Meeting 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 11/27/22 Holiday Lights at The Gardens 5:00 PM 9:00 PM 11/28/22 Rio Lindo Garden Club Meeting 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 11/28/22 Sunset Yoga at The Gardens 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 11/29/22 PSL Historical Society Meeting 11:30 AM 1:30 PM 11/30/22 German American Club Board Meeting 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 11/30/22 Tai Chi @ The Gardens 9:00 AM 10:00 AM

HIBISCUS ADD A TROPICAL TOUCH TO THE GARDEN YEAR AFTER YEAR

When you think “wildflower,” what vision comes to mind? For the vast majority of American gardeners, it’s certainly not a 12-inch, hot pink, pinwheel-like hibiscus blossom. Yet there are hibiscus species native to much of temperate North America, and they have given rise to varieties that thrive as perennials in gardens as cold as USDA Zone 4.

Berry Awesome is a newer hardy hibiscus that reaches just four feet tall and about as wide.

Hybrid hibiscus entered the garden scene in the 1950s with Robert Darby’s ‘Lord Baltimore’, derived from several native species, including Hibiscus coccineus and H. moscheutos. The ’60s and ’70s saw additional hybrids enter the market, and later a slew of exciting introductions appeared from the famed Fleming brothers of Nebraska, including the still treasured bronze leaved ‘Kopper King’. Recent years have seen a wave of novel cultivars that are renewing interest in this beguiling summer bloomer.

Tips for growing hardy hibiscus

Hardy hibiscus are easy to grow. They prefer full sun. Although they can get by in a part-shade position, their best flowering will occur with more sun. Pinching back the stems as they grow, but prior to the formation of flower buds, can also promote a heavier bloom, since it will spur additional branching. Pinching back creates a shorter, bushier plant, too, although many of the newer cultivars boast naturally compact growth.

To keep the plant looking neat, with the focus on the flowers, deadhead spent blooms. This also prevents any self sowing. The thick, woody stems can be left standing over the winter and then cut down to the ground in early spring with loppers or a hand saw.

Garden varieties of hardy hibiscus descend from species that naturally occur in swampy areas, so these perennials are not drought tolerant. They grow best in soil that drains well but remains consistently moist, and they will need watering in extended dry spells. Japanese beetles can be a problem with these plants, but because desirable wildlife such as butterflies and hummingbirds also visit regularly, pesticides are not recommended. An environmentally friendly control is to simply knock the Japanese beetles into a bucket of soapy water, where they will drown.

Hardy hibiscus are just that: hardy. They will prosper in USDA Zones 4 through 9. Provide a thick layer of winter mulch in the colder regions, but pull mulch back from the stems during the growing season to promote air flow.

The most difficult part of growing hardy hibiscus is exercising patience in spring, when they are notably slow to rise. In Zones 4 and 5, it may be mid- or late June before shoots appear, especially in a cold spring. There it may be helpful to leave short stumps when cutting back the prior year’s growth, as a reminder during spring planting of where the roots lie.

Companions for hardy hibiscus

Given their tendency to “sleep late,” hardy hibiscus need neighbors that shine early. The upside is that these bulky perennials can carry the show from midsummer into fall.

Peonies can be a good match for hardy hibiscus, since their shrubby shape and large flowers will hide and distract from the gap the hibiscus has yet to fill in spring. Better yet, plant your peony behind the hibiscus, so that when the latter reaches full size later in the season it can hide mildewed peony leaves. Salvia and veronica are other good spring flowering companions to place in front of hardy hibiscus, since they can be sheared after bloom to open up the view of the hibiscus. Repeat blooming hardy geraniums can make a good skirt for this plant, since their habit remains low and their summer flowers often provide a color echo to the larger ones of the hibiscus.

Other summer-into-fall bloomers to place with hardy hibiscus include substantial perennials like ornamental grasses, various coneflowers and ironweeds. The annual cleome, or spider flower, can make a compelling neighbor, too, with its upright stems, heft and large flowers.

Although it may seem like a good idea to plant spring-flowering bulbs amid the hibiscus roots, the latter’s preference for more water in the summer can be a problem for most bulbs. A workaround is to use tulips and treat them as annuals, pulling them after they flower, since many of us find most tulips less than reliable to bloom a second year anyway.

BINNIE LUCIANO and SUE BUCKLEY

are our November, 2022 ACE Volunteers of the Month. Binnie and Sue have been attending the Welcome Desk on Thursday afternoons for many many years. I believe they were involved with The Gardens from the time of its inception. With Binnie also spending time on the Board of Directors some years ago.

Nominated by Heather, she sings the praises of their knowledge about The Gardens, which they freely share with all visitors. Their knowledge of the city is comprehensive and has helped many newly arrived visitors understand Port St Lucie. Their calm approach and demeanor allows room for the visitors to ask questions and come to understand our city and the role of The Gardens within the city. They have such extensive knowledge of the history of the city and The Gardens, that almost anything anyone would want to know, they have the answer. They are also a great source to recruit other people as volunteers, as they are so personable, that any new arrivals to our city are asked to volunteer

or visit The Gardens. Heather is also impressed with their ability to intuitively know what to do with all inquiries by phone, and their ability to know how each caller’s message should be handled and returned.

Great friends for a very long time, they enjoy traveling together with their families, and recently returned from a cruising vacation in Norway.

The Gardens is very grateful for Binnie and Sue’s loyalty, dedication and love of The Gardens.

A BIG THANK YOU from the Board of Directors at PSLBG !

By Laura Mehr

Flame thrower palm at the gardens by Beth Willard

Mike breaking ground for our Memorial (Jackfruit) tree in honor of Larry Zimmerman

The Art Of Bonsai

Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba speciosa) READ MORE HERE

can find the tree on our event lawn close to the walkway and not far from the Hibiscus Garden.

The Secret Garden under construction

SCREW PINE Tree (Pandanus utilis) READ MORE HERE

can find the female Screw Pine on your left as you leave the garden. The male Screw Pine Is centered in the circle in front of the building.

TCVCC Cars Of Our Lives Show

More Hats In The Gardens

WELLNESS CLASSES AT THE

PORT ST. LUCIE BOTANICAL GARDENS

SUNSET YOGA • SELECT MONDAYS

Join us for Sunset Yoga at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, a fun mix for basic and intermediate participants on select Monday’s of each month. The cost is $10 per class for Non Friends' Members and Free to FPSLBG Members. Become a Member and get More Free Perks! Sign up at www.pslbg.org/yoga.

November

RESTORATIVE YOGA

SELECT MONDAYS

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Join us for Restorative Yoga at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens with Gina L. Buse (RYT 200). Restorative yoga encourages physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Appropriate for all levels, it is practiced at a slow pace, long holds, stillness and deep breathing. The cost is $5 per class for Friends' Members and $10 for Non-Members. Limited to 10 participants. Sign up at www.pslbg.org/yoga.

November

TAI CHI • WEDNESDAYS

9:00am - 10:00am

Join us for Tai Chi at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. Beginners Tai Chi is designed to inspire better balance and improve confidence, concentration & peace of mind within the beautiful grounds of the Botanical Gardens. The cost is $10 per class for Non Friends' Members and $5 to FPSLBG Members Sign up at www.pslbg.org/taichi.

November