The Early BloomerMONTHLY NEWSLETTER JUNE 2013seven acres of inspiration
in this issue
Dining OutSatisfying Summer Flowers Seashells and Coral – Beautiful Florida Décor Father’s Day Scavenger HuntContainer Garden of the MonthHave You Visited Our New Website?
Dining OutDining Out
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outdoor living ideas
Dining OutFire Roasted Berry Crostini with Honey Crème Fraiche
Grill this super simple dessert right before you serve it.
½ cup crème fraiche1 Tablespoon honey3 half-inch-thick slices of country bread, halved crosswiseSoftened unsalted butter, for brushing¼ cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling4 cups mixed fresh berriesPinch 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
Living on the coast of Florida definitely has
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.
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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.
4”-6” Pot
Coleus $3.99 Torenia $2.39Caladiums: $3.99 Thai Caladium Humboldii Pink Splash
4”-6” Pot
Caladiums: $3.99 Aaron Raspberry Moon Highlighter Freida Hemple Angelonia $3.99
4”-6” Pot
Caladiums: $3.99 Carolyn Wharton Tri-color ButterflyPurslane $3.99Periwinkle $1.99 Available in 7 colors of upright
and 7 colors of cascading
Angelonia $3.99
Cuphea $2.49
Shade Plants Partial Sun Full Sun
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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.
Source: Department of Environmental Protection
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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
[email protected] so we are properly
prepared.
Scavenger Hunt participants receive a Garden
Boutique coupon for 20% off purchases made
that day.
June 15th
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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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seven acres of inspiration9080 U.S.. Hwy 1, Wabasso, Florida 32970 772-589-5835 RockCityGardens.com
The Early Bloomer © Rock City Gardens
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.