Spiderwort

Ethnobotany of Wildflowers

Imagine yourself as a native Indian or early explorer 500 hundred years ago trying to survive in Florida. There is quite a compendium of knowledge about early uses of native trees and shrubs, but what about wildflowers?

Eastern carpenter bee on Spotted beebalm flower

Carpenter bees

Many Floridians become familiar with carpenter bees by accident. They may notice a hole that appears to have been drilled into unpainted wood around their homes with a sawdust pile beneath it.

Coreopsis bakeri flowers

Welcome Baker’s tickseed

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.

Swallowtail butterfly on Liatris spicata flower

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.

20 Easy-to-Grow Wildflowers — your guide to success!

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.

White twinevine

White twinevine

White twinevine (Funastrum clausum) is a larval host plant for Monarch, Queen and Soldier butterflies and an important nectar source for bees and wasps.

Goldenrod soldier beetle, Chauliognathus pensylvanicus

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.

Wildflowers along SR 65

Fall 2018 Panhandle Wildflower Alliance Newsletter

The Fall 2018 Panhandle Wildflower Alliance newsletter features news about life after Hurricane Michael, State Road 65 wildflowers, and Santa Rosa County’s wildflower program and extension garden, as well as a call for volunteers for a planting project.

Night blooming petunia, Ruellia noctiflora

Saving Roadside Plants Works!

When Scott Davis found a large population of the state-listed endangered Night-blooming petunia (Ruellia noctiflora) growing along US 98, he asked the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to declare it a protected wildflower area. FDOT did.