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Bloom Report: Spanish Needles – Nature’s Pollinator Magnet (and Laundry’s Worst Nightmare!)
Florida is home to seven native species of Bidens, all of which are commonly known as Spanish needles or Beggarsticks. While pollinators love them, they often inspire mixed feelings!
Climate Change and Florida’s Native Plants
From the Apalachicola River Basin to the Lake Wales Ridge and into the Everglades, Florida has many unique plant communities. How each of these ecosystems will respond to a rapidly changing climate is likely to be as unique as those environments themselves.
Meet board member CJ McCartney
CJ McCartney joined the Florida Wildflower Foundation board in October 2022 and is an inspirational environmental educator making a big impact in South Florida!
2024 Seedlings for Schools Grant Winners
Forty-two Florida schools received native wildflowers in our 2024 Seedlings for Schools grant program. The grants are used to establish campus wildflower gardens that are incorporated into Pre-K through 12th grade curriculum.
Meet board member Marissa Kaprow
Marissa Kaprow joined the Florida Wildflower Foundation board in 2014 and has served as Treasurer since 2016. She is a CPA and Director of Audit and Assurance Services at Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund.
Bring on the Butterflies!
Butterflies are perhaps the most universally loved insect — their beauty and grace captivates us and their presence brings us joy. Ecologically, butterflies are also incredibly important! Learn how your gardening practices can bring on and support a wide diversity of butterflies.
Bloom Report: When seeing red is a good thing!
Our Summer Bloom Report from Jeff Norcini, PhD will have you seeing red in the most beautiful way! Vibrant red native wildflowers brighten the landscape, and those with tubular flowers will attract hummingbirds (and butterflies, too).
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!
Celebrating the Foundation’s Immediate Past Chair, Jeff Caster
As we celebrate the recent election of Sara Burke to chair of the Florida Wildflower Foundation’s board, we want to also thank our immediate past chair Jeff Caster for his leadership.
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.
