Rockledge Gardens Keeps Gardening Fun

By Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop

Walking through the lush rows of plants, shrubbery and trees that cover the expanse of Rockledge Gardens can sprout thoughts of a Garden of Eden.

Indeed, many horticulturalists, landscape artists, expert gardeners and those just beginning to flex their green thumbs have come to consider this place of annuals, perennials, ryegrass, orchids, bougainvillea, bromeliads and butterfly gardens to be a local paradise in bloom.

Started in 1960 by Harry Witte, a bulb farmer who sold soil and shrubs by the roadside using the honor system, the garden center grew over the next two decades into a fully operating nursery and landscape business located at 2153 South U.S. Highway 1, one mile south of Barton Boulevard.

Today, it is the largest garden center in Brevard County, with five acres of nursery on the west side of the highway and nine acres of growing plants and trees on the east side.

“We have a couple thousand different types of greenery, offering customers a wide variety and selection. For instance, right now we are growing 100 varieties of roses just in time for Valentine’s Day,” said Kevin Riley who, along with his wife Theresa, the Witte’s youngest daughter, own and manage the business.

The Rileys, who were in high school when they met after Kevin started working at the center, have been actively involved in Rockledge Gardens since 1974.

The garden center also is known for its landscaping, wedding registry, delivery and planting services. Folks also can visit the colorful information kiosks set up at the garden center. There, customers can share stories, find out about the type of pests plaguing their own yards or talk with staff members about their gardening goals and concerns. But the center also builds its clientele by offering free hands-on workshops and how-to seminars on a variety of garden- related topics. This month’s seminars, slated for 10 a.m. on Saturdays, focus on vegetable and herb gardening, native plants and planting for wildlife. “Providing good information is No. 1 with us,” Riley said.

It is just as important as the garden center’s commitment to giving back to the community.

For years, the garden center has supported non-profit organizations, civic groups and charities. That includes allowing area students to host fundraisers at the center and providing plants and supplies for volunteers doing landscaping around new homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County.

“We really believe in the mission behind Habitat for Humanity and know that the plants and trees are going to be put to good use making a new house feel like a home,” Riley said.

The garden center also sponsors the beautification award given by the organization at its annual banquet in June and also is a sponsor with Keep Brevard Beautiful (KBB), providing the t-shirts worn by volunteers during the annual Great American Cleanup - Trash Bash. This year’s Trash Bash will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, April 19.

Larry Weber, executive director of the non-profit organization, said the garden center’s involvement has made an impact on KBB’s events and programs.

“We have a Build a More Beautiful Brevard contest each year and Rockledge Gardens has won that more than once. They also are a sponsor of our Secret Garden tour, a fundraiser for our different chapters in the county,” he said. Weber added that the garden center helps the organization in its mission to educating people on litter reduction, beautification and recycling..

“Rockledge Gardens has a good name and reputation in Brevard County and we both are on the same mission to make Brevard an excellent place to live and play.”

“They have been a very strong supporter of Keep Brevard Beautiful and it makes a big difference,” he said. But Riley said it is all a part of giving back to a community that has given so much to the garden center.

“We’re all in this together, every resident, business and organization in Brevard County; there’s give and take. So being a good neighbor is crucial,” he said. Riley said the garden center plans to do more display gardens in the future, showing people how things can be done. They also want to plant a butterfly garden, inspiring people to start their own.

Theresa Riley said the garden center’s lasting legacy is helping to make Brevard County more beautiful.

“It may sound like a cliché but that is our overall goal. It’s really all about beauty and finding the fun in gardening. We want people to appreciate the natural beauty of Florida and to create their own garden spaces,” she said.