The Gardens' Gate - June 2023

Gardens’ Gate

Monthly Calendar pg. 4

What’s Blooming Now? pg. 8

Rouge et Noir Statue pg. 10

Volunteer Spotlights pg. 16

Discovery Backpacks pg. 22

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:

Tuesday - Saturday | 9 AM - 5 PM

Sunday | Noon - 5 PM

Skates, boards & bicycles are not permitted on the walkways in the gardens.

Suggested Donations:

Adults $5 • Students $2 Free for PSLBG 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.

Office & Directors

President: Heather Furnari

Vice President: Jeanette Kostival

Secretary: Judy Nash-Wade

Treasurer: Cheri Mabry

Directors: John Erickson, Dale Johnson, Mary Petrone, Pam Scholey, Tim Sutton, Moses Hill, Joleen King

Standing Committee Chairs

Election Committee: Stephanie Alessandrini Giarraffa

Finance Committee: Cheri Mabry

Gift Shop Committee: Pam Scholey

Horticulture Committee: Tim Sutton, Dale Johnson

Membership & Volunteer Committee: Jeanette Kostival

Resource Development Committee: Heather Furnari

Strategic Planning Committee: Tim Sutton

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.

CONTENTS

Monthly Calendar pg. 4

What’s Blooming Now? pg. 8

Rouge et Noir Statue pg. 10

Hurricane Preparedness pg. 12

Manatee Students Visit pg. 14

Volunteer Spotlights pg. 16

Discovery Backpacks pg. 22

Two NEW Yoga Classes pg. 26

Strawberry Tree pg. 31

Guest Photos pg. 36

*Reminder

Friends Monthly Board Meeting

Monday, June 12, 2023 | 4:30PM

Members are welcome to attend meetings.

Looking forward to the Florida summer heat?

Well there’s plenty to do at The Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens! The Gardens offer many shady areas to keep you cool. Find a bench or picnic table and relax. Perhaps bring your breakfast or lunch and enjoy that book you have been wanting to finish. An outing at the gardens with the family or outof-town guests that is also close to home is always fun. Fishing is welcome in the pond (catch and release), so bring the grandkids an pass on your fishing skills. Our free Backpack program and Scavenger Hunts will get you and your children or grandchildren into the Gardens in full explorer mode. Be sure not to miss the faeries hidden in the Faerie Forrest! And if you need some quick nourishment, the Gift Shop has pocket-sized snacks and water.

Evenings at The Gardens bring magical, outdoor yoga and mindfulness activities. Register on select Monday nights for Sunset or Restorative Yoga classes. On alternative Tuesday evenings, we now offer Yoga for Healthy Aging and Yoga for Veterans and First Responders. On the third Friday of every month join us for Mindfulness in the Garden — a truly transportive yoga and meditation class. And while speaking of exercise in The Gardens, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our Tai Chi class, held every Wednesday morning in the Secret Garden. Please check the event calendar for times and dates for these and other activities.

The Garden Center volunteers are always busy creating new and exciting pieces to adorn your lanai. Maybe a new centerpiece for your Fourth of July table? These knowledgeable volunteers just love helping guests find that new plant.

And before I close this letter, a quick update on the Port Project. Construction is continuing and the children’s playground is really taking shape. The big metal alligator is in place, as are several other pieces of equipment. The sidewalks are starting to be poured, and work on the berm for the event lawn area has started. Please come out and visit us. The summer is a special time in The Gardens. There’s plenty to do for everyone, and the butterflies, flowers, plants and trees are all waiting for you!

Respectfully, Heather Furnari

President Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

If you’re interested in discussing opportunities to join any committees at The Gardens, please email: volunteer@pslbg.org

June 2023 HAPPENING AT THE PORT ST. LUCIE BOTANICAL GARDENS

Every Tuesday

Yoga for Healthy Aging* | 7 PM - 8 PM

Yoga for Wellness for Veterans & First Responders* | 7 PM - 8 PM

Every Wednesday

Tai Chi* | 9 AM - 10 AM

PSLBG Education Committee Meeting*

10 AM - 12 PM

* (Registration Required)

Upcoming Events

Saturday, July 1

Reel Blessed Fishing Camp

Saturday, July 22

Beginner Bonsai Class*

www.pslbg.org/yoga-at-the-gardens.html

DONATION

THANK YOU for your TO THE HIBISCUS GARDEN

Thanky you so much to the anonymous donor who generously covered the expense of the art column and pledged to match each donation for the Hibiscus Garden up to $2,500! Won’t you please consider pledging a donation for this matching challenge? Stop by today to visit the beautiful mosaic art in person and see how the improvements are progressing.

With the completion of the Hibiscus Garden’s mosaic art column, created by Anita Prentice, we now turn our attention to refurbishing the Hibiscus Garden plants and to financing a sculpture to sit on top of the mosaic column.

We are currently asking for donations to refurbish the Hibiscus Garden. An anonymous donor has generously pledged to match each donation up to $2,500! Let’s take on this challenge while beautifying our Gardens! Stop by to make a donation on your next trip or visit the link below:

https://portstluciebotanicalgardens.app.neoncrm.com/forms/21 Tuesday - Saturday | 9 AM - 5 PM

What’s Blooming Now?

There’s always something blooming here at the Gardens. A plant lying dormant one day, could be in full bloom the next! So whenever you are in the Gardens and a beautiful flower catches your eye, be sure to get a photo as you never know when the next bloom will be! If you’re curious about a plant ask one of our volunteers who may be able to help or visit www.pslbg.org/our-gardens.html where you can find more information on all of the plants in our different gardens. Don’t forget to share your photos with us on social media! #pslbotanicalgardens

African Bush Daisy Red Bishop Cap Hibiscus

Florida Tickseed

Salvia

Cuphea Cigar Plant

Gaillardia and Vinca

Rouge et Noir

Rouge et Noir

2005, painted, welded steel

83 X 59 X 42 inches

Approx. 300 lbs.

Rouge et Noir (French for ‘Red and Black’) is the first leased art piece at The Gardens. It was selected for an 18-month lease by the Arts and Cultural Enhancement committee (ACE). The leased art project’s purpose is to create certain areas where new leased art will replace expired leased art, providing fresh new art experiences at The Gardens. Rouge et Noir will be at the available for view until November 2024.

About the Artist

David Hayes was born in Hartford, Connecticut and received an A.B. degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1953 and a M.F.A. degree from Indiana University in 1955 where he studied with David Smith. He has received a post-doctoral Fulbright award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is a recipient of the Logan Prize for Sculpture and an award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters. He has had 400+ exhibitions and is featured in over 100 institutional collections including those of the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. In 2007 was conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Albertus Magnus College. He worked in Coventry, Connecticut and Paris, France over a period of six decades. He died on April 9, 2013.

20% OFF

All Bird Baths in the Gift Shop during the month of June.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Source: University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension

Hurricanes and tropical storms hit Florida almost every year, often causing extensive damage to landscapes. But you can easily make your landscape more hurricaneresistant, so that it’s less likely to suffer damage during a major storm. Correct pruning is the most important part of helping trees survive hurricanes. Train young trees so they develop a sturdy, well-spaced framework of healthy branches along a dominant trunk. Maintain this form as far up into the tree as possible by reducing the length of competing stems and branches. For trees larger than about 15 feet tall, hire a certified arborist to prune your trees before the hurricane season. The arborist will remove dead branches that can fall on houses, cars, and people. Branches with the same diameter as the trunk will be shortened and the outer edges (not the interior) of the canopy will be thinned, making your tree less likely to be blown over.

Fertilizer Ordinances

Be sure to know and follow the fertilizer ordinances in your area to protect your community and minimize negative water quality impacts. Runoff from over-saturated soil can cause contaminants such as pesticides and nutrients from lawns, gardens and agricultural areas as well as viruses, bacteria and nutrients from pet waste and failing septic system.

Leslie Nicole Munroe Susan Haddock

Photo by Leslie Munroe, Indian River County Extension Environmental Horticulture agent.

Photo by Susan Haddock, UF/IFAS

Healthy Phoenix Palm

Saturated Soil

The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens Welcomes Children of all Abilities

On a recent sunny Wednesday, the Health and Wellbeing Committee spent the morning with a class of children from Manatee Elementary School. The students were able to experience time in the gardens, as well as practice yoga and meditation with a sound bowl.

ACE VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH

Volunteer Spotlights

by LAURA MEHR

Our June ACE Volunteer of the Month is Diane Bergman. Diane was nominated by Board Member and Education Committee Chair, Mary Petrone. Diane has been a volunteer at The Gardens for a little over a year. She has been an avid member of PSLBG for over ten years, where she has taken many classes and workshops. Diane is a regular at Dale Johnson’s Sunset Yoga Class at The Gardens, and when he asked her to help out with the 2022 Ladybug Launch, it was the start of something great for all of us! She had so much fun at the event, she joined the Education Committee to help staff and create more events like this.

As a retired teacher of 25 years in St. Lucie County, Diane knew she wanted to continue to use her teaching skills. When she taught first grade, she always had a class garden. “There is so much you can teach, when there is a lesson to pass by every day,” Diane said. Last summer, Diane collaborated with fellow Education Committee members to design workshops for the children enrolled in the Kids at Hope Summer Camp. She was involved with activity planning, as well as organizing and implementing lessons for the campers. Diane recently helped plan and execute a fabulous, spring Fashion Show at The Gardens and headed up guest registration at our wildly successful Ladybug Launch. As of the writing of this article, she is also slated to help children plant seeds in a fun, learning activity at our upcoming May Story Time event. Diane works with fellow Education Committee members on a host of other activities, including maintaining and creating Scavenger Hunts and Discovery Backpacks. Diane’s “can-do” spirit is much appreciated by all who volunteer with her.

Diane is also a member of the Rio Lindo Garden Club that meets at The Gardens on the fourth Monday of the month, September through May. The club is responsible for maintaining the beautiful Rose Garden; which includes pruning, cleaning, and planting seasonal bushes around the Rose Garden border. Congratulations and many thanks to Diane.

Our June ACE Volunteer of the Month is Regina Conrad. She was nominated by Board Member Vice President and Volunteer/Membership Chair, Jeanette Kostival.

Regina first discovered the Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens in 2017, when she and her husband started snow birding from New Hampshire. She began volunteering at PSLBG in December of 2021 and since then has become an invaluable part of our volunteer team. Regina has most recently taken on the Serenity Garden Bricks project, which is a huge undertaking. She facilitates the ordering, placement, payments and organization needed to make our Bricks project a success.

Even in the midst of this huge project, Regina volunteered to take over volunteer scheduling, where she once again excels. In fact, Jeanette has said that without Regina “she would be in a world of hurt!” Regina has also worked in the gift shop, sat at the front desk, and volunteered at many special events.

Originally from New Jersey, Regina went on to live and work in NY. She and her husband currently split their time between New Hampshire and Florida. Regina met her husband Paul at a viewing of an eclipse in the South Pacific on a Total Solar Eclipse cruise, and it was a total eclipse of the heart! They follow the path of eclipses around the world, and visit as many as they can.

A retired, semi-conductor process engineer, Regina volunteers at her local library when in NH, educating guests about the wonders of our universe. Regina and Paul recently welcomed another grandbaby into their lives. Being a grandmother, swimming, and playing billiards round out her days. Not yet a gardener, she loves visiting botanical gardens and admires those who garden.

We look forward to seeing Regina again in the fall, and cannot thank her enough for all she contributes to The Gardens. Congratulations Regina.

Photographer SESSIONS

AT THE GARDENS

Dueto the new fence being installed, photographers that are members will now be able to enter the grounds for 1-2 evenings a month for a fee to bring their client to take photos.

Cost is $15/Session

Business Membership is Required www.pslbg.org/membership.html

Register Prior to the Event:

Monday, June 12, 2023

Photography Nights

Monday, June 12, 2023 4 PM - 8 PM

Thursday, June 15, 2023

https://portstluciebotanicalgardens.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/portstluciebotanicalgardens/eventRegistration.jsp?event=3205&

Thursday, June 15, 2023

https://portstluciebotanicalgardens.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/portstluciebotanicalgardens/eventRegistration.jsp?event=3210&

Every Brick Has a Story to Tell.

The Serenity Garden is a peaceful garden for contemplation. This beautiful site affords an opportunity to commemorate an occasion or loved one through an inscribed celebratory brick.

$150 Investment

$275 Investment

12” x 12” Celebratory Brick

$550 Investment

To learn more about all of the brick options and costs, click on the link here: www.pslbg.org/celebratory-bricks.html or email: bricks@pslbg.org

3RD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7PM - 9PM

Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens

Our mission is to promote tropical and subtropical fruits; to introduce and distribute new and improved varieties; to inform the public of the merits of tropical fruit; to collect and disseminate information on cultural requirements and propagating techniques; and much more!

Come join us and bring a friend or neighbor. First meeting is always free!

MONTHLY PROGRAM, DELICIOUS TASTING TABLE, SEED EXCHANGE, PLANT AUCTION, PLANT RAFFLE

Visit our website to learn more: www.tcrarefruitclub.org

2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd. Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

Discovery Backpacks

Did you know that the Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens have educational backpacks that can be use when exploring our beautiful gardens? Kid-tested and kid-approved, the Discover Backpacks are available free of charge and tailored to all age groups. There are two different themed backpacks: Feathered Friends and Perfect Pollinators. A third backpack, Gorgeous Gardens, is set to launch this summer.

Developed for kids ages 2 – 102 to help children learn about Florida’s birds, insects, and plants; each backpack has a variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and Life Science activities. Initially created by Florida teachers, the backpacks have information and activities vetted by teachers throughout the US.

Each mesh backpack contains a booklet filled with fun faces and activities, magnifying glasses, a book, and the tools needed to complete the activities. There are even QR codes throughout the activity booklet if you want to dive deeper into a subject. It takes about 1-2 hours to complete all the activities.

How to Get One

You can borrow a backpack free of charge by asking at the front desk and leaving your Photo ID. If you would like to buy a backpack, they are available in the Gift Shop for $99. Each pack is removed from circulation, sanitized, and stays unused for at least 48 hours before it can be borrowed again. So, come to the Gardens, grab a backpack and have a great time while you learn more about the Gardens and nature.

STORYTIME

AT THE GARDENS

has been cancelled for the month of June. Please stay posted to our social media for information on future events. We apologize for any inconvenice.

Two New

Yoga Classes

The Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens is excited to announce two new yoga classes to our Healthy Living classes. Held on the promenade at sunset. Yoga for Healthy Aging on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM. During these classes Barbara will lead you through stretches and poses to improve balance and loosen stiff, aching muscles.

Yoga for Wellness for Veterans and First Responders on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM. This yoga class is designed by a Veteran, for Veterans and First Responders. Held in the Secret Garden, attendees can enjoy the peace of the outdoors and the privacy of a beautiful space. As an Air Force Veteran, Gail, the class instructor, understands the special needs of those who serve. She has been teaching yoga to Veterans for over a decade.

Barbara first became interested in yoga during her teens and it has been a part of her daily life ever since. She enjoys sharing the benefits of yoga and seeing the positive changes in people’s lives. Barbara enjoys teaching “Yoga for Healthy Aging” and watching the improvement in her students’ health as they grow in their yoga practice. She said many people don’t realize how their unbalanced body affects their mind. Her goal is to help her students reach equanimity. Barbara has been teaching yoga for over a decade. She earned her 200 Hour Yoga Certification at Prana Yoga in Coral Gables, Florida and later earned certification in Yoga for Healthy Aging Teacher Training at the Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, MA. Since then, she has taught yoga at the Miami Juvenile Detention Center, helping change the future of troubled teens. She also taught at the YMCA in Allapattah, Miami.

Barbara

Gail

Two New Yoga Classes

CONTINUED

By focusing on breath and the compassionate observation of our internal and physical experience we help our autonomic nervous system (ANS) adapt better to triggers and stimuli. Gail’s classes are adaptive to all bodies; she meets you where you are. Service dogs are welcome. Gail received her 500 Hour Yoga Certification at Nirvana Yoga in Atlanta, and later certifications in Trauma Informed Yoga and Yoga for PTSD. Since then, she has taught yoga through Emory Veterans Program for PTSD/MST/TBI, Adaptive Yoga for Veterans with Blaze Sports, and for the City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation Department. Gail also leads classes on meditation and breathwork.

To register for any of our yoga classes, visit www.pslbg.org/yoga-at-the-gardens.html

Beginners Class Bonsai

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2023

10 AM - 1:30 PM

Instruction on initial pruning and shaping of bonsai. Hands-on class. Includes a bonsai plant, container, medium, chopsticks, and snips.

$85 for PSLBG Members

$100 for Non-Members

Spots are limited! Register here:

portstluciebotanicalgardens.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/ portstluciebotanicalgardens/eventRegistration.jsp?event=3188&

25% OFF

Butteryfly Kits in the Gift Shop during the month of June.

Know?

That our strawberry tree in the butterfly garden makes fruit that tastes like cotton candy. So yum.

www.pslbg.org/yoga-at-the-gardens.html

A new team is being developed! Help plan and carryout outreach activities throughout our local community. Options include, but are not limited to: public speaking, outreach event planning, writing articles, etc.

be our GUEST

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM OUR GUESTS AT THE GARDENS

Alain Berland

Shannon Sweet

Alain Berland

Sarah Wilson Hyde

Danielle Cain Realtor

Sarah Wilson Hyde

Melanie Beath