COCOA-ROCKLEDGE GARDEN CLUB

'PROJECTS'

TABEBUIA

(tab-BOO-ee-a)

     There are more than 150 species of Tabebuia native to Central and South America, but only a few of these have been introduced into Florida landscape. These trees produce spectacular blooms during the bloom cycle which is relatively short (between three and five weeks) but intense. The bloom period is around March when the trees are bare. Trees start to bloom at only one to two years of age, but the blooms are not as dense as the blooms on more mature specimens. On mature specimens the dense bloom clusters are produced at the branch tips and cover the tree in a vivid mass.

     Sometimes called trumpet trees they are easy to grow and require very little maintenance. They are tolerant of many different soil types and have no major pests. Young trees sometimes require support and training. They can withstand a long drought and can also withstand short periods of wet soil.

     Tabebuia can be found in two colors...yellow and a pink-lavender. The one shown in the picture is in a yard at the corner of Indian River Drive and Mulberry Street...just east of the Central Brevard Library. It is an old and established tree and each spring puts on a show of spectacular color.

 

Picture of  Tabebuia Tree from the corner Mulberry Street & N. Indian River Drive, Cocoa

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AUGUST, 2007

     In August, Cocoa-Rockledge Garden Club with the approval of the Cities of Cocoa & Rockledge landscaped a couple of Welcome Signs to the City of Rockledge and City of Cocoa..  These signs were selected as test signs before landscaping other Welcome Signs into the Cities, with draught hearty plants.

The "Welcome to the City of Rockledge" sign on Florida Avenue across from the Wynona and Ernie Morris Park using cord grass, a home run shrub rose, bulvine, gaillardias and dahisberg daisies. Rockledge Gardens did the landscape design and selected these plants as being draught hearty. City of Rockledge public works employees and garden club ladies gathered in recognition of this community beautification project.

 

Pictured left to right:  back row in green - City of Rockledge employees James Cooper & Philip Hare.  front row: Jo Compton, Shirl Phillips, Betty Moxley, City of Rockledge Employee Tina Ramos, Evelyn Fraley, Lillie McGhee, Bob Meischeid & Madge Trick.

The "Welcome to the City of Cocoa," sign on SR 520 (west side of Indian River Lagoon) heading West across the Humphrey Bridge into cocoa, was planted with drought tolerant plants on Friday, August 17th.  The landscape plan was designed by Wojac Nurseries, it includes white fountain grass, lantana and dwarf firebush.  The City of Cocoa provided all the labor and mulch.  They also will be maintaining the new plantings.  Lynn Girling (Asst. Director of Parks from the City of Cocoa) was the contact for the garden club.  The garden club found Lynn to be a most pleasant/efficient person to work with.