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Meet board member Kody Smith
Kody joined the Florida Wildflower Foundation board in September 2021. He is the CEO and senior principal landscape architect at Dix.Hite + Partners.
Florida’s spring-flowering tickseeds
In the spring, many Florida roadsides and natural areas are painted yellow with showy Coreopsis, commonly known as tickseed. Florida’s state wildflower, five of our 12 native species bloom in spring.
Spring “weeds” are for the bees!
While much of the country awaits No Mow May to leave the early spring wildflowers in urban areas for hungry pollinators, Florida more appropriately observes No Mow March! So before you get to work mowing or weeding, let’s look at some of the most common lawn “weeds” and learn a little more about them!
Invasive Plants in Florida
Florida is uniquely varied in its climate and growing conditions, allowing a huge variety of plants to thrive. But some of the plants common to our home landscapes are invasive species, many of which are now widespread in Florida’s natural areas.
Cultivating Knowledge and Beauty: Seedlings for Schools Applications Open March 1
Our Seedlings for Schools program will begin accepting applications on March 1, 2024. This program empowers schools across Florida to cultivate vibrant wildflower gardens, fostering educational experiences and connections to nature that extend far beyond the classroom.
Meet board member Mona Johnston
Mona Johnston joined the Florida Wildflower Foundation board in September 2023, bringing with her an extensive knowledge and legacy of conserving South Florida’s native wildflowers.
Genetic research reveals rich diversity of lupines in Florida!
In a newly published study, researchers have defined three new species within Florida’s unifoliolate lupines and found further evidence supporting the naming of two previously described species that have not been consistently recognized as separate.
All the leaves may be brown, but here’s why that’s beautiful!
In winter, many wildflowers go dormant or die back, dropping leaves and leaving brown stems adorned with flowerheads gone to seed. The urge to tidy up may be strong, but we urge you to take a cue from nature and rest!
Fall is golden in Florida
Goldenrods (Solidago spp.) are a traditional harbinger of fall, lighting up the landscape with their bright yellow inflorescences. You’ll find them blooming in showy masses in a variety of habitats including coastal dunes, brackish marshes, wet flatwoods, scrub and sandhills.
Atalas thrive in Viva Florida garden
Atala butterflies were recently spotted in a Melbourne Beach garden funded by a Viva Florida grant. Once believed to be extinct, the presence of the Atala here is a prime example of the impact of grassroots conservation efforts.
Foundation awards 9 Viva Florida grants
The Florida Wildflower Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden grants. Nine grants were awarded for projects from Palm Beach County in South Florida to Santa Rosa County in the Panhandle.
Meet the Mallows
Members of the mallow family shine throughout Florida during the summer months. Meet a few of our favorite stars in the summer bloom report.
2023 Seedlings for Schools Grant Winners
Forty-three Florida schools received native wildflowers in our 2023 Seedlings for Schools grant program. The plants are used to establish campus wildflower gardens that are incorporated into Pre-K through 12th grade curriculum.
Spring “weeds” benefit pollinators
Many of our spring blooming wildflowers put on a showy display. Others, not so much. However, all of them benefit pollinators, either as larval host plants or by supplying nectar.
Gainesville receives Bee City USA designation
With assistance from the Florida Wildflower Foundation, the City of Gainesville has achieved an official Bee City USA® designation. Gainesville joins cities and campuses across the country united to improve landscapes for pollinators.
Bee fly
The Bombyliidae family is large and diverse. Members nectar at flowers in the composite family. Bee flies are true flies that imitate bees to scare predators away.