A Lovely Saturday At Asclepias Acres

By Leah Brooks

Entrance to Asclepias Acres.

I had a lovely day Saturday talking with Damien Rockwood at Asclepias Acres about native plants, designing native wildflower gardens, and native plant identification. He gave me so much advice! This man is a wealth of information!! He recommended that I purchase Roger L. Hammer’s Complete Guide to Florida Wildflowers (Wildflower Series). It’s coming via Amazon today. Stay tuned for the next native wildflower community gardenn that the VIA Orange City Woman's Club is designing. This one will knock your socks off!!

Check out all of the great informatjon provided by the Florida Wildflower Foundation on growing natives!!

Buy Native! Plant Native!

By Mary Heasley, New Smyrna Beach Garden Club’s Butterfly Gardening Certification Committee Chairperson.

On Saturday, October 18th I visited Asclepias Acres in Edgewater. The 5 acre all-native plant nursery is owned by Damien Rockwood.

It was a beautiful, sunny morning and there were butterflies and bees everywhere. As we toured the property, we lost count of the number of different butterflies we observed. There were Sulphurs, Phaon Crescents, Gulf Fritillaries, Swallowtails, and White Peacocks.

The goal for my visit was to purchase a Coral Honeysuckle vine, as well as a few native milkweed plants. Well, I partially met my goal. I purchased (2) milkweed plants, but no Coral Honeysuckle. After seeing a variety of Morning Glory Vines growing along the fence-line in a demonstration garden, I decided to purchase a Morning Glory Vine instead. I felt it would be a better option for the trellis it was going on.

After a great morning visit, I left the nursery inspired to plant native and in a car full of beautiful plants - Morning Glory Vine, Native

Milkweed, Calamint, Partridge Pea, Senna, Skull

Cap and Fire Bush.

October is Florida Native Plant Month. It is a great time to plant. So, if you are planning to upgrade your garden I encourage you to think native and plant native. Damien Rockwood - Asclepias Acres can help you select the best native plants for your garden. Enjoy and Happy Gardening.

Oak Hill has a new butterfly garden where kids will learn about pollinators and plants

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Oct. 17, 2025, 5:03 a.m. ET

OAK HILL — Some people probably looked at an old inground swimming pool filled in with dirt and saw, well, dirt.

But others saw an opportunity to do something special.

On Sept. 26, Liberty Oaks Academy and STEAM Station Preschool in Oak Hill transformed an old swimming pool into a native butterfly garden. With the help of children, families and community partners, the dirt-filled pool became an outdoor classroom where students will learn about pollinators, native plants and environmental stewardship.

"It’s a wonderful example of community collaboration and how even our youngest learners can take pride in caring for the environment," said Erica Garris, operations manager at STEAM Station Preschool & Learning Center.

In addition to the butterfly garden, there are also new garden boxes that will be used to grow herbs and vegetables and teach children about the connection between gardening and healthy living.

The butterfly garden and vegetable garden will weave environmental education into daily life at Liberty Oaks Academy and STEAM Station Preschool, which teach kids ages 2 to 11.

Butterfly garden encourages next generation of gardeners in Oak Hill

The new gardens will serve children and families in southeast Volusia County and northern Brevard County. They'll give students hands-on experiences observing pollinator visits, tracking plant growth, and engaging in lessons that foster curiosity, responsibility and love for the natural world.

The project was made possible with the support of community sponsors and volunteers, including: New Smyrna Beach Garden Club, AT&T Pioneers, Asclepias Acres Nursery, Weaver Construction, The Yard Shop, CCH Lawn Maintenance, Master Gardener Jim Norman, Image Today, Lindley's Nursery and Wildflour Market.

Several people involved with the gardens project offered their thoughts about the venture.

"You are developing the next generation of Florida gardeners," said Phyllis Skiffington, vice president of the New Smyrna Beach Garden Club.

“What a journey," said New Smyrna Beach Garden Club member Mary Heasely. "Planting with the children was such a joy."

Damien Rockwood with Asclepias Acres Nursery called it "a wonderful project to be part of" that is "inspiring young minds."

"This was by far my favorite project ever," Rockwood said. "The way these young people smiled and took pride and ownership in this garden brought so much joy to my heart."

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

Owner of Asclepias Acres, Damien Rockwood, along with students, faculty, and volunteers planting native plants.

Damien Rockwood, Faculty, Volunteers, and students pose in front of S.T.E.A.M Station in Oak Hill after a job well done!

New Smyrna Beach Garden Club Partners with Asclepias Acres for STEAM Station Community Project

By New Smyrna Beach Garden Club

Owner of Asclepias Acres, Damien Rockwood, with distinguished members of the New Smyrna Beach Garden Club breaking ground at STEAM Station/Liberty Oaks Academy in Oakhill for a native plant community project.

On Friday, September 26th the NSBGC joined the Fun Coast AT&T Pioneers, Damien Rockwood (Owner of Asclepias Acres), parents, students and teachers at STEAM Station/Liberty Oaks Academy in Oak Hill. On a beautiful morning we came together to plant approximately (70) Florida native plants to celebrate the success of a community project that started in April as a simple request from Erica Garris (Operations Manager). The school had a 30’x30’ designated space for a butterfly sanctuary garden, yet needed the guidance and expertise of the NSBGC to help get the project done.

After several months of planning, preparing the garden soil, performing organic weed elimination, clearing the surrounding landscape of invasive plants and shrubs, designing the garden, and then finalizing plant selection; the initial phase of planting was completed. (The attached photos help tell the story.)

September 26th was a special day for the students (Pre-School through Grade 5) as they actively participated in the planting process. It was such a joy to watch them plant the flowers and then take pride in what they had accomplished to create such a beautiful butterfly sanctuary at their school.

There is much more to be done. The NSBGC wants to continue to play a role in developing the next generation of Florida gardeners. The Butterfly Gardening Certification Committee and Damien Rockwood will do additional planting in the Spring. Also, committee members will collaborate with Ms. Garris to develop butterfly life cycle and gardening educational programs for the parents and students; utilizing the butterfly sanctuary as a hands-on teaching medium. There will be future posts on our progress.

Special Thanks to Tim Syverson and the AT&T Volunteers for awarding STEAM Station/Liberty Oaks Academy with a $500 grant to help fund this butterfly garden.

Special Thanks to Damien Rockwood for his time, expertise and ongoing dedication to this project. He has been an inspiration to all of us.

Thanks to the following NSBGC members who gave of their time to make this project a success - Sue Schwulst, Mary Heasley, Hope Jenkins, Shannon Scipioni, Andrea Swetnam, JoAnne Anderson, Marty Sibley, and Phyllis Skiffington. Thanks to Todd Jenkins who is always there to help us no matter what the project is.

Southeast Volusia Audubon Society Visits Asclepias Acres

By Liz Payne Merideth, Southeast Volusia Audubon Society Newsletter Editor

Asclepias Acres owner, Damien Rockwood, and Audubon Society member Liz Payne Merideth stand in front of Asclepias Acres’ entrance proudly holding a sign marking Asclepias Acres as a disgnated garden providing plants for birds.

Ahh, summer in Central Florida—what to do when it’s 100° between thunderstorms? Make new friends and study native plants, that's what. While many SEVAS folks have skedaddled north, Robert and I are digging into native landscaping and habitat creation.

This morning found us at Asclepias Acres in Edgewater—a gorgeous 5.5-acre butterfly sanctuary and native plant haven founded by Damian Rockwood. We had a visit planned weeks ago, but had to cancel, so I reconnected again. You know you’re in sync when the reply includes a familiar photo of a brand-new Audubon Plants for Birds sign, and “Wow. I was just going to text you- this just came in!” Opportune indeed.

Recently certified as a Butterfly Sanctuary Garden by the New Smyrna Beach Garden Club, the property is alive with butterflies, birds, bees, and variety. Damian is a wealth of information, and his vision of environmental stewardship to support Florida’s natural biodiversity is moving, so stay tuned! We look forward to a terrific alliance as our SEVAS SEVAS - Plants for Birds programs and Asclepias Acres work dovetails wonderfully.

We toured, watched, smelled, touched, and photographed near everything, then left sweaty and inspired, with more than two new milkweeds.

Liz Payne Merideth

Garden Club certifies Asclepias Acres as a butterfly sanctuary

For Hometown News newsdy@hometownnewsmediagroup.com

Jul 3, 2025 Updated Jul 3, 2025

Damien Rockwood, left, owner of Asclepias Acres, accepts a sanctuary certification from New Smyrna Beach Garden Club members, from left, Marty Sibley, Sue Schwulst, Hope Jenkins, Lola Duckworth and Patti Shawen.

Photo courtesy of Mike Shannon

The New Smyrna Beach Garden Club has certified Asclepias Acres, a newly established plant sanctuary and wildlife habitat in Edgewater, as a Butterfly Sanctuary Garden.

To commemorate the achievement, the sanctuary hosted a two-day public plant sale on its scenic 5.5-acre property at 3001 Citrus Drive, welcoming hundreds of visitors to support Florida’s native flora and pollinator habitats. The event showcased a wide selection of native plants and featured educational opportunities about pollinator conservation and the role of native ecosystems in Florida’s environment.

The certification reflects the sanctuary’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its efforts to create a thriving ecosystem for butterflies, birds, bees, and other beneficial wildlife, a news release states. Asclepias Acres continues to develop programming and plant offerings to educate the public and foster appreciation for Florida’s natural biodiversity.

Asclepias Acres Certified as a Butterfly Garden By The New Smyrna Beach Garden Club

By The New Smyrna Beach Garden Club

Asclepias Acres owner, Damien Rockwood, proudly holding up the “Certified Butterfly Garden” sign presented by distinguished members of the New Smyrna Beach Garden Club.

On June 21st, Asclepias Acres, a 5.5 acre plant nursery in Edgewater, owned by Damien Rockwood, hosted a butterfly certification ceremony. This exceptional sanctuary, dedicated to Florida native plants, features a peaceful blend of vibrant greenery, a serene lake, and inviting shelters - creating a perfect haven for butterflies and other pollinators. NSBGC members Lola Duckworth, Hope Jenkins, Marty Sibley, Patti Shawen, and Sue Schwulst were honored to attend this butterfly garden certification.

A Field Trip to Asclepias Acres - A Florida Native Sanctuary in Edgewater

By the New Smyrna Beach Garden Club

A gorgeous view of what Asclepias Acres has to offer.

On Saturday, May 17th, Sue Schwulst, Lola Duckworth, Debbie DeVenoge and Mary Heasley visited Asclepias Acres in Edgewater. We were treated to an extensive, educational tour of this beautiful Florida native property; owned by Damien Rockwood. It was an incredible experience. Sue, Debbie, Lola and I learned so much about Florida native plants, trees and bushes growing on the property. There were so many species we had never seen or heard about. Touring this native ecosystem reminded us of the importance of preserving and protecting our Florida natural landscape, and planting native plants, shrubs and trees.

Asclepias Acres is a Florida-based native plant nursery dedicated to restoring balance in our environment by offering high-quality, affordable milkweed and other native plants. Specializing in Central Eastern Florida ecotypes, we support local pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies, by promoting sustainable practices. With 5.5 acres of pollinator refuge, Asclepias Acres is proud to be a certified wildlife habitat and a member of the Florida Association of Native Nurseries (FANN), the Florida Native Plant Society, the Florida Wildflower Association, and the National Wildlife Federation. Our mission is to educate and empower our community to choose native plants over invasive species for a healthier ecosystem.

The NSBGC looks forward to fostering an ongoing relationship with Damien through future educational experiences, and community outreach.

If you are interested in touring Asclepias Acres and/or purchasing Florida native plants please contact Damien Rockwood at Asclepias-Acres.com or text him @ (321) 355-8299. Tours are by appointment only - Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Owner, Damien Rockwood, speaking to members of the New Smyrna Beach Garden Club.