Bloom Report: Summer wildflower viewing
Spring and fall wildflowers can be spectacular with a plethora of yellow and purple flowers, but summer seems to offer a wider diversity of colorful, showy wildflowers along roadsides.
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Bloom Report: Banner bloom ahead for Florida’s spring wildflowers in 2015
This bloom report is from spring 2015. In the Apalachicola National Forest, drive County Road 375 (Smith Creek Road) from SR 20 in Leon County to Sopchoppy in Wakulla County to see stately purple lady lupine in sandy soil and a variety of carnivorous plants.
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Viceroy
Viceroy and Monarch butterflies are distantly related through the family Nymphalidae. They have evolved to mimic each other through Mullerian mimicry. Although they are similar, you can spot the differences in a few ways.
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Bloom report: Blazing star lives up to its name
This bloom report is from fall 2020. Fall is a time to look for showy displays of native wildflowers and grasses this fall, such as Blazing star.
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Goldenrod soldier beetle
Goldenrod soldier beetles ( Chauliognathus pensylvanicus) are pollinators and predators of pesky garden pests. They are found throughout Florida and most of the United States.
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Ellis Acres Ethnobotanical Garden
Welcome to the Plants and People Garden at Ellis Acres This ethnobotanical garden showcases Florida’s rich native plant heritage, highlighting species valued both by wildlife and humans for their ecological and cultural significance. Each species in this garden plays an essential role in local ecosystems, offering food, shelter and habitat for pollinators, birds and other…
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FWF receives grant for “20 Easy Wildflowers”
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.
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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.
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Great golden digger wasp
The Great golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) is gentle and solitary, preferring flight over fight. These wasps can be seen nectaring from wildflowers in the summer months.
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Great purple hairstreak
The Great purple hairstreak is a relatively large butterfly that can often be found in oak hammocks. Oddly, Great purple hairstreaks can be identified by the iridescent blue, not purple, on the upper side of their wings.
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Bloom report: Head south for the best fall wildflower viewing
This bloom report is from fall 2019. Because much of Florida experienced a prolonged hot, dry spell in September, the best show is expected to be in south Central Florida and southward, which received more rain.
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Celebrate native bees and other pollinators
Do you enjoy juicy watermelons, local blueberries and strawberries and fresh Florida orange juice? How about carrots, broccoli, almonds and apples? If you do, please thank an insect.
