FORT PIERCE FOLKS
59
ED DRONDOSKI
Ric Ebner’s special blend of fertilizers ensure that the plants he sells, such as
these colorful impatiens and petunias, grow vigorously and bloom profusely.
of healthy citrus trees during the first canker scare of 1984,
and then lost nearly 600 laurel-water oak hybrids after the
accident left him unable to care for them. The heavy financial
losses made it difficult for a hometown business to compete
with the mass-market appeal of big-box stores, Ric says.
“We have customers who come here from West Palm Beach
to Melbourne to Tampa, but we would appreciate more local
business,” he says. “Our prices are great, and our plants are
much nicer.
“Our number one goal is not just to sell the plants, but to
teach our customers how to care for FORT
them, to get them excited
and make people happy.”
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HOW THE GARDEN GROWS
Denise’s current project is an interactive children’s garden,
where customers can bring their children to learn about growing
and nurturing plants. “It has a butterfly house and a potting
space and plants that engage all five senses,” Denise says.
Signs throughout the garden explain how plants are used.
A pizza pot holds tomato, basil, garlic and onion; pots of
pansies and violas are not only pretty,FORT
but also edible, and a
night-blooming cirrus wears sunglasses, just for laughs.
There’s also a bell for children to ring when they see a butterfly.
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“It’s going to be fun,” Denise says.
And, Ric points out, his shop is the only place you can buy
Ric’s Special fertilizer.
“I worked on the formula for a long time,” he says. “Once
you use it, you’ll never go back to anything else.”
Name: Ric Ebner, a native of Fort
Pierce.
Personal: Married for 34 years to
Denise, with a son, Ricky, 30, a
daughter, Jessica-Ann Hyatt, 25,
and three granddaughters.
Education: Attended the University
of Florida for two years;
FORT
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certified underwater demolition expert.
Something most people don’t know: “I helped blow up the
old South Bridge.”
Inspiration: “My savior, Lord and king, Jesus Christ.”
Motto: “The Lord makes them; we just tend them.”
/www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org