Up Front
Written by Stephen & Michelle Hazeltine
It’s hard to believe the final quarter of 2025 is already here! This time of year is one of the busiest—and most beautiful—in Southwest Florida, as our seasonal plantings run from October through May. We’re thrilled to kick things off with our annual Color Kickoff event at The Garden Center!
The autumn colors are in full display now. Mums, Marigolds, and Coleus all bring those classic fall hues that many of our Florida transplants remember from northern states. Since we don’t experience the traditional leaf color changes here, our annuals help us capture that cozy fall feeling. And don’t forget the glorious Florida Croton plant, which dazzles with a vibrant array of fall colors. When combined with our beautiful grasses that also shift hues at this time of year, you can easily create that autumn vibe in your landscape.
One of the best parts? You get all this fall color without the worry of frost or freeze events! Most of our annuals will thrive through the long season. But if you’re someone who loves to refresh your garden for the holidays, our Holiday Spectacular is just around the corner. Starting Black Friday, we’ll be in full swing with Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, and flowering annuals in whites, greens, and reds of every variety, shape, and size.
Our Fresh Cut Fraser Fir Christmas Trees will also be available starting Black Friday—continuing a holiday tradition for over 20 years. Our greenhouse transforms into a forest of Christmas trees, ranging from tabletops to majestic 12-foot specimens. We proudly source these beautiful trees from our preferred grower in North Carolina, with whom we’ve partnered for two decades.
This is also the perfect time to say thank you for your patronage and for being a valued client of Hazeltine’s throughout the year. Wishing you and your family a joyful holiday season and a tremendous New Year!
Garden Center Gossip
Written by Valerie Elmore
The fall season is upon us here at Hazeltine Nurseries, which means we just wrapped up our 22nd Annual Hazeltine Harvest and next up is our annual Hazeltine Holiday Spectacular! Hazeltine Nurseries promotes Women Working with Women and here at the Garden Center we would like to spotlight one of our long-time employees, Petra Garcia. Petra has been with us since 1994, she keeps the trees, plants and greenhouses up to our standards with the crew and is head of quality control. She also makes beautiful arrangements that would be a great addition to any holiday décor at your home.
The Garden Center is looking forward to the arrival of the truckload of Fraser Fir Christmas trees on November 28th, along with the arrival of Fraser Firs we will also be getting a variety of poinsettias. Don’t forget about our annual Hazeltine Christmas Tree Spectacular Decorating Contest. More details are coming soon!
Petra Garcia, with Hazeltine since 1994
The Year of Letting Go! Let it go, Let go!
Written by Valerie Elmore
Hazeltine Nurseries is proud to be a sponsor of the Annual WEW Summit each October — a celebration of women and their incredible contributions to making our world a better place. It’s a time to learn about achieving great work-life balance and to engage in the powerful sisterhood that lifts us all up.
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Women Empowering Women Summit held in Venice, Florida. The event was filled with passion, reflection, and growth. We were inspired and guided throughout the day by powerful speakers from diverse walks of life, who not only motivated us but also provided tangible advice and tools to carry forward into our own lives.
We are proud to continue uplifting and empowering the hardworking, wonderful women in our community!
The Year of Letting Go! Let it go, Let go!
Written by Anna Ireland
Growth is about the progressive changes in size, form, and structure—and fall offers the perfect time to reflect on how far we’ve come. It’s a season for celebrating our growth, embracing change, and appreciating the mentors who’ve shaped us along the way.
As Director of Construction at Hazeltine Nurseries, I know I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of incredible men and women throughout my journey. Growing up as one of four daughters in a small South Carolina town, strong female influence was always part of my life. That early support gave me the courage to dream bigger and eventually led me to serve in the U.S. Army. Military life brought both opportunity and challenge but also introduced me to some of my first lifelong female mentors—women who continue to inspire me.
Since transitioning to civilian life, I’ve worked in many roles that satisfied my love of learning and growth. Each experience taught me sometimes what to do, sometimes what not to do. Personally, I’m blessed to be the mother of two amazing daughters. Professionally, I’m proud to be part of Hazeltine’s growth over the years.
One mentor who’s had a lasting impact is our Vice President, Michelle Hazeltine. She believed in me from the start, hiring me as a purchasing manager nine years ago, and later taking a chance on me for the Construction Manager role. Her patience and guidance helped shape my career path and leadership style.
I hope my story encourages others—especially women in construction—to keep learning, seek honest mentors, and welcome growth, even when it’s uncomfortable. We’re all seeds with potential, but it takes the right environment, regular pruning, and a commitment to learning to truly thrive.
A Record-Breaking Year for Our Landscape Design Build Team!
Written by Michelle Hazeltine
2025 has been our busiest year yet – thanks to last year’s storms. On October 9th, 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3, just 2 weeks after Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Milton was the strongest cyclone to occur worldwide in 2024; it achieved Category 5 status 49 hours after becoming a tropical depression. Once the storm was over, our crew began completing everything from cleaning up to quick plant refreshes to full landscape makeovers, working seven days a week to get every project done on time. A huge thank you to our hardworking team for making it all possible!
We have also added a new design sales associate to better serve you, whether you’re updating an existing yard or creating a brand-new outdoor space from scratch.
This season, landscaping trends focus on sustainability with water-wise and native plants, edible gardens, natural stone, and smart tech like irrigation, lighting, and audio systems. Plus, water features – Koi ponds, fountains, pools, and outdoor showers – are more popular than ever.
Ready to transform your outdoor space? Our experts are here to help you design your dream landscape! Reach out to us here!
Plant Spotlight
Christmas Palm – Veitchia merrillii
These palms can get up to 25’ ft tall but are typically found around 15’ ft tall. This palm has seasonal interest due to the glossy red fruit that is persistent throughout the holidays, they have 6ft long bright green fronds. The Christmas palm has a very neat appearance due to its “self-cleaning” habit, which makes this palm good for indoor planters or planted outdoors. It can be found as a single, double or triple stem
Poinsettia – Euphorbia pulcherrima
This plant is the 2nd largest-selling flowering potted crop in the country; sales contributed over 250 million annually to the economy. Poinsettias require long periods of darkness at least 12-14 hours to trigger the color change. Don’t worry, once the holiday season is over you can plant them outside after the risk of freezing weather has passed. Plant in a sunny location and cut stems to within 12 to 18 inches of the ground.
Fraser Fir – Abies fraseri
This Christmas tree is grown in the high elevation Southern Appalachian Mountains, and it takes about 7-10 years to grow a 6-to-7-foot tree. Their branches are known to be stronger, so this Christmas tree can hold the heavier ornaments. The Fraser fir is highly prized for holding their needles well after being cut and they are soft, pleasant to touch. The White House has chosen a North Carolina Fraser Fir 13 times as the official Christmas tree.
Recipe Bourbon Apple Cider
Ingredients
4½ cups apple cider
1 tablespoon orange juice (no pulp)
3 whole cloves
1 whole cinnamon stick
1 star anise
1 cup Kentucky bourbon (Old Forester 86 proof recommended)
For the Orange Sugar Rim
Zest of one orange
½ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Infuse the cider: In a medium saucepan, add apple cider, orange juice, cloves, cinnamon stick, and star anise. Heat over medium, then reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the spices to release their flavors.
Add the bourbon: Remove from the stovetop, add bourbon, and let cool. Pour into a pitcher.
Prepare the rim sugar: Add orange zest to sugar and stir to combine. Transfer mixture to a saucer.
Rim the glasses: Rub an orange slice around the rim of each glass, then dip into the sugar mixture.
Serve and enjoy: Pour cider into glasses with ice. Garnish with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick.
This cocktail can also be served warm — equally delicious!
“Notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
