Hernando County Library Native Plant Garden

The Hernando County Public Library in Brooksville was selected to pilot the Seeds of Knowledge Library Demonstration Garden Grant in spring 2025. The library established a Florida native wildflower garden across three areas of the library grounds, creating an educational and ecological resource in downtown Brooksville. This 500 sq. ft. Garden serves as a living classroom for community engagement

DID YOU KNOW? Florida native plants are adapted to thrive in our climate, conditions and soil. They need less water than other plants, and require no fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals. This saves precious water resources and keeps excess nutrients from polluting lakes, rivers and streams.

A small garden with green plants and mulch sits by a white brick wall featuring a mural of books and a blue stained glass window. Patio chairs and pathway lights are visible. — Hernando County Public Library in Brooksville

The garden was made possible by a grant from the Florida Wildflower Foundation.

The following native species were planted:

Butterflyweed

Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a perennial that produces large, showy clusters of bright orange to reddish flowers from spring through fall. It occurs naturally in sandhills, pine flatwoods, and…

Florida greeneyes

Florida greeneyes (Berlandiera subacaulis) is an endemic wildflower found in Florida’s sandhills, pine flatwoods, mixed upland forests, and along dry roadsides. Their bright yellow flowers bloom in spring, attracting a…

Leavenworth’s tickseed

Leavenworth’s tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii) is often used as a component of mixed wildflower and butterfly gardens, and is excellent for sunny roadsides, highway medians and powerline easements.

Swamp twinflower

Swamp twinflower (Dyschoriste humistrata) is a low-growing wildflower that occurs naturally along the edges of forested wetlands. A great groundcover option for a moist to wet shady area, it attracts…

Purple coneflower

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has striking blooms that attract a variety of butterflies, bees and even hummingbirds. Its seeds are eaten by birds and other wildlife.

Elliott’s lovegrass

Elliott’s lovegrass (Eragrostis elliottii) is a perennial bunchgrass with an abundance of delicate flowers that cover the plant in a billowy beige haze.

Button rattlesnakemaster

Button rattlesnakemaster (Eryngium yuccifolium ) is a peculiar perennial wildflower that occurs in flatwoods, sandhills, savannas and marshes throughout Florida. It blooms in late spring through fall.

Carolina jessamine

Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is an evergreen vine that creates cascades of brilliant yellow as it grows up into trees and trails off branches.

Firebush

Firebush (Hamelia patens var. patens) is a hardy shrub to small tree. It produces clusters of bright orange to red tubular flowers that are filled with nectar, attracting butterflies and…

Blue skyflower

The beauty of the brilliant Blue skyflower (Hydrolea corymbose) cannot be clouded! This herbaceous perennial wildflower goes largely unnoticed — that is, until its bright blue blooms appear.

Dense gayfeather

Dense gayfeather (Liatris spicata ) has striking spikes of purple flowers that bloom late summer through fall and are excellent attractors of butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects.

Cardinalflower

Cardinalflower (Lobelia cardinalis) is an aquatic wildflower with erect spikes of brilliant red blooms that attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

Muhlygrass

Nothing says fall in Florida like the purple haze of Muhlygrass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) in bloom. When planted en masse, this perennial bunchgrass puts on a spectacular fall display.

Wild blue phlox

Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricate) is a delicate perennial wildflower. Its beautiful blooms appear from spring into early summer in slope forests, bluffs and calcareous hammocks.

Wild petunia

Wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) typically blooms late spring through early fall, attracting a variety of pollinators. It is also a host plant for the White peacock butterfly.

Blue-eyed grass

The low profile of Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) makes it an excellent groundcover choice. It is fairly adaptable to a variety of conditions.

Starry rosinweed

Starry rosinweed (Silphium asteriscus) is a robust perennial with showy yellow blooms. It occurs naturally in flatwoods, sandy pinelands and disturbed areas and attracts a variety of pollinators.

Lyreleaf sage

Lyreleaf sage (Salvia lyrata) is an attractive perennial with leafless spikes of tubular, lavender to bluish flowers. Bees are its predominant pollinator, but it also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Stokes’ aster

Stokes’ aster (Stokesia laevis) typically blooms in spring and summer, but may bloom throughout the year, attracting a variety of bees, wasps and butterflies.

POLLINATORS NEED YOUR HELP!

Help Florida’s wildlife and environment by using native wildflowers and plants in your landscape. Click here to learn more information on planting, selecting and maintaining native plants, or check out these resources: