SEE THE LITTLE BIRDIES Tips on attracting wildlife 3 to your garden

PHOTO BY MARLIESE CARMONA Last month, Rockledge Gardens opened the Harry Rockledge and Mary Witte Center pavilion and gardens. Gardens expands with new education Become a center gardening guru

MARIA SONNENBERG INSIDE FOR FLORIDA TODAY arden nurseries aren’t just for plants anymore. With the opening last month of the Harry and Mary GWitte Center pavilion and gardens, Rockledge Gardens has upped the ante on what to expect from a garden center.

“We want the center to be a place to IF YOU GO educate people on how to be successful with their gardening projects. But just 2153 S. U.S. Hwy. 1 as important, we want this place to be a 321-636-7662 hub for the community,” said Liz Lark- rockledgegardens.com Riley, events and marketing director for Rockledge Gardens. Named for Rockledge Gardens’ Theresa and Kevin are carrying on founders, the new center will first and Theresa’s parents’ legacy with the new foremost be a hub for education. center, which was designed by Joseph, “The Wittes especially prized knowl- a theatrical set designer. FINISHING TOUCH edge and education,” added Lark-Riley. “We were in Taiwan for six months Melbourne Beach family on Rockledge Gardens has an interest- while Joseph was working for a theater HGTV’s Beachfront Bargains ing history. company and Kevin did the building In 1948, bulb farmer Harry Witte while we were gone,” said Lark-Riley. 2 settled in Brevard County with his wife, Rockledge Gardens has long hosted Mary. His business was essentially a gardening classes, workshops, talks roadside stand on U.S. 1 and run on the and special events on its four-acre honor system, with a sign that said property. The new center will allow the “grab a bag of soil and leave your mon- Gardens to expand offering to include ey in the can.” everything from cooking to dance From those modest beginnings, Witte classes. The Rileys plan to rely on the eventually opened a traditional nursery place for their popular farm-to-table in 1960. The Witte’s six children took dinners, which resume in the fall. turns working the business. Harry The Gardens were already a popular passed away in 1998 and Mary, now in backdrop for family and wedding pho- her mid-90s, lives with youngest daugh- tos; the new center raises the opportu- ter Theresa and her husband, Kevin, who nity to enjoy the colorful nursery to the STUFF own and manage the large garden center next level. WE LOVE that includes a hydroponic farm. They’re Because it is at the far end of the Entertain in style joined in the day-to-day operations by Gardens and secluded from the main all summer long daughter Aurelia, son-in-law Kris, son with perfect Joseph and daughter-in-law Liz. See Garden, Page 3D 2 patios ACKGROUND & BIRDS: GETTY IMAGES GETTY BIRDS: & ACKGROUND B

FLORIDA TODAY SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017 FLORIDA TODAY SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017 3D

How to attract birds to your garden (Ulmus spp.), Geiger-tree (Cordia seb- way to attract birds to your yard. estena), Green cocoplum (Chrysobala- For those who would rather attract Sally nus icaco), Gumbo limbo (Bursera si- hummingbirds instead, the key is to maruba), Hercule’s club (Zanthoxylum plant several red, nectar-rich flowers in Scalera clava-hercules), Loquat (Eriobotrya your yard. The closer they are planted GARDENING japonica), Oaks (Quercus spp.), Marl- to your house, the more likely you will berry (Ardisia escallonioides), May be to see the hummingbirds when they hawthorn (Crataegus aestivalis), Per- visit. Many people believe that we don’t PHOTO BY MARLIESE CARMONA An important principle of Florida- simmon (Diospyros virginiana), Pigeon have hummingbirds here, but we do, it Rockledge Gardens is a popular spot for Friendly Landscaping is to attract wild- plum (Coccoloba diversifolia), Hicko- is just hard to catch a glimpse of them weddings, work retreats, birthday parties life. This is a popular hobby for many ries (C. glabra, C. floridana), Pond ap- when they do visit. They are both small and more. people since it is fun to go outside and ple (Annona glabra), Pygmy fringetree and fast and they hear us before we enjoy the butterflies and birds. It is also (Chionanthus pygmaeus), Redbay (Per- even aware they are nearby. The min- very easy to attract wildlife by planting sea borbonia), Red mulberry (Morus ute they hear us, they split! the correct plants that provide them rubra), Satinleaf (Chrysophyllum olivi- Trees that attract hummingbirds are Garden food and shelter. forme), Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), the Red bottlebrush (Callistemon citri- There is a long list of trees that can Simpson’s stopper (Myrcianthes fra- nus) and the Coral bean (Erythrina Continued from Page 1D be planted to attract birds. Some of the grans), Southern magnolia (Magnolia herbacea), which is also a nitrogen trees are small like our native Fringe- grandiflora), Sparkleberry (Vaccinium fixing plant like the sweet acacia. Right tree (Chionanthus virginicus), which arboreum), Summer haw (Crataegus now, my coral bean tree is full of seed garden center, the covered pavilion produces gorgeous white, fringed flow- flava), Swamp bay (Persea palustris), pods — proof that my tree has been and its picturesque gardens are also ers in the spring before the foliage is Swamp dogwood (Cornus foemina), visited by hummingbirds multiple available to rent for private events, produced. Another small native tree is Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginia- times this spring. If you would like to such as weddings, anniversaries, Sweet acacia (Vachellia farnesiana), na), Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), add a larger tree that produces gor- birthdays, corporate meetings, re- which is also a nitrogen-fixer. It is al- White stopper (Eugenia axillaries), geous bright orange tubular flowers to treats and fundraisers. ways great to have leguminous plants Wild lime (Zanthoxylum fagara), Wild attract hummingbirds, the Geiger-tree “The primary purpose was to in the yard to supply some nitrogen to olive (Osmanthus americanus), Winged (Cordia sebestena) would be perfect. have space for our classes, but the plants growing near them! Sweet aca- elm (Ulmus alata) and Yaupon holly Planting a tree is a great way to add space is very versatile,” said Lark- cia has small foliage that provides dap- (Ilex vomitoria). shade to your yard and attract birds. Riley. “We’ve already hosted several pled shade for plants growing beneath These trees are native species ex- So, go outside and check out your yard. weddings there.” and produces small, fragrant yellow cept for the Loquat which does produce If it is sunny and hot, why not plant a The pavilion is also the site for a pom-pom flowers throughout the year. edible fruit, as does the native red mul- new tree or two to bring a little shade quarterly Baby Clothing Swap, when A large growing tree for attracting berry. To find out more about their and attract birds at the same time? parents bring outgrown baby clothes birds would be our native Hackberry height and spread, do a search on the and pick up next-size outfits for (Celtis laevigata), which is also called internet using the scientific name. Sally Scalera is an urban horticul- their tiny ones at no cost. The next sugarberry. Be sure to plant a hack- Birdfeeders can also be used to at- ture agent and master gardener coor- Swap takes place from noon to 4 p.m. berry away from the home, patio, deck, tract birds. You may have better suc- dinator for the University of Florida’s Sunday, June 4. and driveway because they can cause a cess by using just one type of bird seed Institute of Food and Agriculture Sci- “We encourage expectant moms mess. The Asian wooly hackberry in the feeder, such as safflower seeds, ences. to come by even if they don’t have aphid creates honeydew, a clear sticky which can result in less waste. Birds anything to trade, because we al- substance, that falls from the tree and can be picky eaters and fling out the ways have plenty of newborn cloth- coats whatever is below it such as cars, seeds they don’t want. Also, be sure to ing that we donate at the end of the patio furniture, etc. Southern red cedar hang the feeder close to a window so event,” said Lark-Riley. (Juniperus silisicola) is a native ever- that you can see them easily. One more This weekend should prove a green tree that will provide great nest- suggestion is that the sound of moving perfect time to explore the Learning ing cover, plus female trees produce water from a fountain is another great Center, for Rockledge Gardens is berries for the birds. It is very impor- hosting its Third Annual Fairy Gar- tant to make sure that southern red den festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on cedar trees grow with a single trunk, or Saturday, May 20, and from 11 a.m. central leader, because the wood is until 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. Ac- weak. Multiple leaders will result in tivities include fairy adventure gar- trunks being blown down during windy den make-and-take for kids and or stormy weather. grown-ups, a scavenger hunt and a If you are considering the addition visit by Tinkerbelle. of a new tree or like the idea of attract- Ultimately, however, visitors need ing birds to your yard, here are some no special reason to visit the Learn- more trees to consider: Blackgum (Nys- ing Center. sa sylvatica), Cherry laurel (Prunus “We hope to see to see people caroliniana), Chickasaw plum (Prunus come in to enjoy a picnic or just angustifolia), Hollies (Ilex spp.), Elms hang out with a good book,” said Lark-Riley. “It warms my heart to see people wanting to be surrounded by the beautiful greenery.” The 8,000-square-foot Harry and Mary Witte Center includes a 2,000- square-foot pavilion, outdoor kitchen and bar and firepit. The pavilion can comfortably host 120 guests for a sit-down dinner and up to 200 for more casual events. Rental packages begin at $300, depending on function and length of rental time. There is no charge for individuals who may want to use the center as a spot to relax and reconnect with GETTY IMAGES / ISTOCKPHOTO nature. It’s very easy to attract wildlife by planting the correct plants that provide them food and shelter.

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