The Early Bloomer :: May 2018

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Early Bloomer

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MAY 2018

May in the Florida Garden HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

seven acres of inspiration

GARDENING

Colorful Bougainvillea trained as a climbing vine makes 2 a bold statement

Thumbergia Black-Eyed Susan Vine grown fresh at Rock City Gardens

May in the Florida Garden May is an interesting time for we Florida gardeners. It not only signals the beginning of the rainy season, the average daily temperature starts rising into the high 80’s – a clear sign that our gardening chores will soon be relegated to the morning hours. May in the Florida garden is also a beautiful month for our flowering trees and vines to show off their brilliant blooms and colors. And if you’re thinking about planting new trees and shrubs, now is the time.

Bougainvillea is a local favorite with its bold shades of red, pink, yellow and magenta and its hearty growing versatility. It can be trained as a climbing vine, a flowering bush, or a striking tree in a large container or garden bed. Thunbergia Black-eyed Susan Vine is another vigorous grower and prolific bloomer. Rock City Gardens has grown multiple colors of Thunbergia, including orange, yellow and white.

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GARDENING

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GARDENING

Mercadonia thrives in the summer heat.

With hurricane season knocking at our door, this is also the month to consider pruning of plants and trees that could be a threat during the summer storms. When fertilized and watered, your plants and trees will come back and produce healthy growth within a few weeks despite the pruning. Since the rainy season is upon us, make the most of it by adding some fun to your gardening. Rock City’s Garden Boutique has fabulous new copper rain gauges. “The World’s Coolest Floating Rain Gauge” is based on the Archimedean principle of water displacement – the measurement tube rises from the outer collection flute to show water accumulation. It’s a great way to gauge how much watering your plants and flowers require.

Last but certainly not least, heat tolerant plants and flowers are a necessity for your summer gardens. Whether planted in your garden beds or displayed in attractive container gardens, our May flowers will perform beautifully throughout the summer months.

If you missed our recent Pot Sale announcement, there’s still time to catch the sale! You early bird readers of The Early Bloomer reap the rewards — all pots in our outdoor Garden Center sales areas are 20% off through May 10th.

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May flowers

THUNBERGIA BLACK-EYED SUSAN VINE » THUNBERGIA BLACK-EYED SUSAN VINE loves plenty of sunshine. This vigorous vine is a prolific bloomer and grows up to 8 feet in height. Arizona Rose Sensation, Sunny Suzy, Lemon Star and The Big White are fabulous colors now available.

MAINTENANCE LIGHT

Water as needed

Full Sun

COLEUS » COLEUS is such a dependable plant for year-round enjoyment, but it’s especially beautiful during the summer months. With a little love, it rewards you with colorful foliage and steady growth in your garden beds and container gardens. With 16 varieties from which to choose for both shade and full sun, this plant is a no-brainer for your summer garden.

MAINTENANCE

Super Easy!

Full Shade or Full Sun, depending on variety LIGHT

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Heat tolerant and hearty, Rock City’s May flowers of the month promise strong growth and colorful blooms and foliage in your summertime gardens.

MECARDONIA

DIANTHUS

» MECARDONIA thrives in our summer heat. This versatile plant is perfect as the spiller in your container gardens or grown as ground cover in your landscaping. Rock City’s Gold Dust variety is available in sunny yellow.

MAINTENANCE LIGHT

Easy!

Full Sun to Partial Shade

» DIANTHUS with its brilliant shades of pink and cherry is just what Doc Rock orders for those of you who love bright colors to perk up your summer gardens. The Jolt series available at Rock City Gardens is the most heattolerant dianthus you can grow – and it promises to perform all season long.

MAINTENANCE LIGHT

Water as needed

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Our friendly garden associates will happily help you select just the right summer flowers for your needs.

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Words from the Wise As a rule, man’s a fool.

When it’s hot, he wants it cool.

Brad´s Musings

When it’s cool, he wants it hot.

Always wanting what is not.

about the poet

We live in paradise what else can I say?

The temperature is freezing somewhere else in May

Bill Ruddy, one our fabulous sales associates, shared a poem that he remembers his grandfather reciting to him as a child. We thought it was worth repeating, because it still rings true today.

Nymphs grow into caterpillars up to 3”

Beach weather is just wonderful I think its here to stay Gardening, beaching and fishing That is the Florida way We’re growing flowers we have never grown before.

Giving them a trial Come in and be part of this Something new that will make you smile

about the poet

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

Adult lubbers have no natural predators

Eastern lubber grasshoppers start hatching in May

G A R DENING

PEST CONTROL If you’ve not seen these critters in your garden, count your blessings! They can decimate crinum lilies, alocasias and other soft, fleshy tropical plants in no time flat. Each year, hundreds of Eastern lubber grasshoppers, native to the southern portion of the U.S. begin hatching sometime in mid March to early May and start munching their way through the garden. Adults deposit pods of eggs in the soil to incubate over the winter and the offspring emerge with voracious appetites.

The nymphs are black with orange, yellow or red stripes then develop into colorful yellow, black and orange adults that can grow to 3” in size. They have no natural predators and have such hard exoskeletons that chemical sprays aren’t effective in eliminating them. The best way to rid your plants is to pluck them off and stomp on them! (They aren’t very fast moving, so they’re easy to capture) Not the most pleasant task, but very effective. The good news is that your plants will recover over the summer and the damaged parts can be removed!

GARDENING BOUTIQUE SP E CIAL E VENTS

Garden Parties

Rock City Gardens is a destination of choice for many different special events.

With seven acres of inspiration, including gorgeous garden paths, outdoor rooms, and a pond with entertainment deck, it is especially beautiful as the backdrop for weddings. Bridal parties love the beauty and spaciousness of Rock City.

To schedule an event consultation, contact Barb Gwilym at 772.589.5835.

Ask Doc Rock Q: How do I grow beautiful gardenias and avoid infestation of pests?

A: Gardenias are a glorious garden plant.

Their sweet fragrance is evocative and personal, often recalling a memory of where you first encountered it. As with so many plants, the gardenia has its quirks. But once understood, they are easy to grow. For our geographic area, grafted gardenias perform quite well. Gardenias like plenty of organic matter, a regular supply of fertilizer, and special attention to the threat of pests.

Mealybugs, aphids, scales and whiteflies are all problematic. Try using insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils – these can usually keep pests in check. Rich organic soil mixed with a controlled-release fertilizer like Dynamite or Osmocote makes a good base for your new flowers. In order to thrive, gardenias prefer a low PH or acid environment.

Plant your gardenias so they receive direct morning sun and afternoon shade. They need at least an inch of rain per week (or the equivalent watering). Spend a little extra time on soil preparation, maintenance and light requirements, and your gardenias will reward you with their prized, fragrant flowers and glossy green leaves.

DOC ROCK’S EXTRA TIP:

Prune your Gardenias only after they have finished flowering.

Outdoor hardscaping and containerscaping designed and installed by Rock City Gardens

How Does Your Garden Grow?

It’s no secret that outdoor living spaces are practically as important as our indoor rooms. Many outdoor rooms in our coastal community are literal extensions of the homeowner’s living room and kitchen. Summer is an ideal time to create or update your new outdoor space and hardscaping – be it the outdoor kitchen, pool deck, pathway or driveway. Rock City Gardens has created and installed beautiful hardscaping and containerscaping in many of our community’s homes. To schedule a consultation with our talented hardscape team, please call 772.589.5835.

Stay connected with us on Facebook and Houzz, anytime, anywhere.

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 © 2013-2018 Rock City Gardens