More than 38,000 visitors have had the opportunity to become better acquainted with the beauty and benefit of Florida’s native wildflowers since the establishment of a wildflower demonstration garden at the Pinellas County UF/IFAS Extension in Largo.
Coreopsis bakeri has gone undetected for years because of its resemblance to our common Lanceleaf tickseed ( Coreopsis lanceolata). It is has been isolated long enough to have become a distinct species.
This bloom report is from March 2017. Earlier-than-normal blooming of spring wildflowers is occurring more often, but this year stands out because some wildflowers are blooming nearly a month earlier than expected.
This bloom report is from November 2017. In November, the foliage of many native grasses has senesced. The various shades of brown and reddish brown that native grasses exhibit through the latter stages of life adds an aesthetic that appeals to many folks.
The Florida Wildflower Foundation has received a $17,000 grant from Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust for its project, “20 Easy Wildflowers to Grow Now!” It includes a publication, continuing education courses for horticultural professionals, and live social media events.
Thinking of native wildflower gardens as habitat is a new mindset whose time has come. Learn how to make the transition for the sake of wildlife.
With interest mounting in using wildflowers in urban landscapes, there is a huge demand for information about Florida’s native plants. “20 Easy-to-Grow Wildflowers” features a selection of 20 “tried and true” species that are easy to grow and maintain.
Zebra longwing butterflies ( Heliconius charitonia) are found throughout the state, but this common Florida butterfly is anything but ordinary! Their elongated wings make them easy to distinguish from other Florida natives, but their unique attributes don’t stop there.
White-line sphinx moths can be found throughout the world, but are especially common in North America. They live in habitats ranging from desert to tropics and will forage on a wide variety of flowers.
This bloom report is from spring 2019. Spring is the time of year that many of us associate with blooming plants – for good reason.
Keep your eyes open for Cloudless sulphur butterflies! Monarchs aren’t the only ones migrating this time of year. Fall is a wonderful time to see the Cloudless sulphurs in flight on their southern migration.
Recent research found that Gaillardia pulchella is not a native Florida species, but rather an introduced species. The news sparked many different reactions across the state. Experts weigh in on what this means for Florida gardeners.
