Rayless sunflower
Rayless sunflower (Helianthus radula) is a unique member of the Helianthus genus—its ray florets are almost entirely absent. It blooms spring through fall and attracts a variety of pollinators.
Narrowleaf sunflower
Narrowleaf sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) is one of Florida’s most common sunflowers. In nature, it forms dense colonies, resulting in spectacular swaths of sunshine yellow when in bloom.
Dune sunflower
Dune (or beach) sunflower (Helianthus debilis) typically flowers in summer, but may bloom year-round. Its bright yellow flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including butterflies, moths and bees.
Lakeside Sunflower
Lakeside sunflower (Helianthus carnosus) is a perennial wildflower endemic to northeast Florida that inhabits open sunny edges of lakes and marshes. The beautiful bright yellow flowers attract a variety of bees, butterflies and beetles, and the seeds are eaten by birds.
Bee fly
The Bombyliidae family is large and diverse. Members nectar at flowers in the composite family, such as Dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis), Elliott’s aster (Symphyotrichum elliottii), Stokes’ aster (Stokesia leavis) and Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). Bee flies are true flies that imitate bees to scare predators away.
When wildflowers blow in the wind…
As summer progresses many of our fall-blooming wildflowers become tall and stately, forming backdrops and filling fence rows as they reach peak bloom from September through December. But this also is when storms increase, bringing intense waves of wind and rain. And there are always those unpredictable hurricanes. Here’s how one wildflower garden survived Hurricane Irma’s big blow and steps you can take to hopefully rescue your own plantings.
FDOT Wildflower Program Photos
Florida Department of Transportation Wildflower Program This page is hosted by the Florida Wildflower Foundation as a courtesy to the Florida Department of Transportation. Photo Gallery The photos on this page highlight the successes of the Florida Department of Transportation Wildflower Program over the past 20 years. Due to construction activities, necessary re-working of roadsides…
Attracting Bees
You can help provide food and habitat for Florida’s native bees and other beneficial insects by landscaping with native wildflowers. Versión en español disponible.
Great wildflowers for your dry landscape
If you have added wildflowers to your landscape, you’ve probably learned how adaptable they are to a wide range of environmental conditions. Although it is a challenge to introduce wildflowers to a dry site, many species will adapt and flourish once established.
Cool native wildflowers for summer garden blooms
If you’re looking to dress up your landscape this summer, consider these native species, which adapt readily to home gardens and provide weeks of blooms.
Aquatic wildflowers
Wondering what native wildflowers and plants to use along your pond or wetland edge? Use our new handout to choose diverse species that will thrive and give your landscape a “real Florida” feel.
Attracting Butterflies
You can help provide food and habitat for Florida’s butterflies by landscaping with native wildflowers. Learn more now. Versión en español disponible.