Rockledge Gardens

In 1960, Harry and Mary Witte established Rockledge Gardens as a company that specializes in the cultivation of plants and the design of outdoor spaces. They had six children, and while all of them took turns working in the gardens, it was their youngest daughter, Theresa, and her husband, Kevin Riley, who made Rockledge Gardens their life's work. Although all of their children helped out in the gardens, Theresa and Kevin Riley are responsible for its continued success. Family and friends would occasionally inquire about the possibility of holding a small wedding ceremony or reception at the nursery due to its four acres of beautiful gardens. Both Kevin and Theresa always answered in the affirmative, and as a result, on occasion, two people would start their lives together amidst the trees and flowers. But in 2011, Theresa and Kevin's eldest son, Joseph, married a young lady named Liz in the greenhouse, and their large flowery garden rainbow wedding was featured on Offbeat Bride. Joseph and Liz's wedding was a part of a rainbow theme. After that, not only close family and friends but also complete strangers expressed interest in having their weddings in the gardens. The year 2013 marked the year that Liz and Joseph made the move from New York to Rockledge, and shortly after that move, they started having visions of a beautiful event space. It was designed by Joseph, constructed by Kevin, and Liz conceived of a strategy for hosting events such as weddings, workshops, and seminars. The new venue for weddings and other events had its grand opening in the spring of 2017, and it was given the name The Harry and Mary Witte Learning Center in honor of the couple who established our organization. We can only hope that Harry and Mary are looking down on their gardens from some high point, beaming with pride and joy at the sight of so many wonderful new beginnings in their gardens.