The Florida Wildflower Foundation awarded 2017 Seedlings for Schools grants to 30 Florida schools in 16 counties. This includes personalized growing assistance and $50 of assorted native Florida wildflowers from a Florida Association of Native Plants nursery to plant on campus.
Regional Alliances Regional Wildflower Alliances are active networks of wildflower enthusiasts that protect native wildflowers. Through communication, collaboration and information sharing, members support and inspire each other as they create knowledge and awareness of native wildflowers and their value to Florida’s environmental and economic health. about the alliances What members do As active volunteers, Alliance…
Florida Department of Transportation Wildflower Program This page is hosted by the Florida Wildflower Foundation as a courtesy to the Florida Department of Transportation. Program Procedure The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) enacted its first Wildflower Program Procedure in 2004 to prescribe the program’s requirements and responsibilities. In 2014, the Environmental Management Office and Office…
Seed sowing is often the most economical means of establishing wildflower plantings in landscape and natural settings. However, competition from noxious weeds or aggressive native species that co-exist on a site can present major limitations to wildflower seedling establishment in restoration and landscaping settings. Wildflower planting failure is sometimes expressed as decreased aesthetic value in…
This project evaluated the relationship of three types of Florida suburban landscapes – native plants, Florida Friendly Landscaping, and nonnative (exotic) – to attract/benefit native wildlife, specifically mobile insect pollinators essential to Florida’s ecology and economy.
Saumya Vanderwyst presents on methods to improve the soil biome around new construction and working with homeowners association demands.
If you’re looking to dress up your landscape this summer, consider these native species, which adapt readily to home gardens and provide weeks of blooms.
Carolina cranesbill (Geranium carolinianum) is an annual native wildflower that occurs in lawns, urban gardens and disturbed areas throughout Florida. It is often considered a weed, but its winter- and spring-blooming flowers attract bees and other small pollinators. Birds eat the seeds and white-tailed deer may forage on the leaves. Humans can eat the leaves, too, but they can be very bitter and astringent. The root has been used historically to treat sore throats and diarrhea. Carolina cranesbill is Florida’s only native Geranium species.
Rabbitbells (Crotalaria rotundifolia) is a low-growing wildflower found in pinelands, sandhills and disturbed sandy areas throughout Florida. Its small yellow flowers bloom throughout the year, attracting mostly bees. The unassuming plant often goes unnoticed as its flowers do not open until the afternoon and remain open only for one day. Of the 15 species of Crotalaria that occur in Florida, only four are native. Rabbitbells is the most common and widespread of the native species.
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.
Originally named for the Delaware tribes of Native Americans near where this butterfly was discovered, the Delaware skipper is now found throughout the eastern United States.
Proper preparation for native plant installations is critical for success. Large areas of turf can be an intimidating prospect, and weeds can pose problematic competition. This guide is intended to help homeowners preparing small sites (less than 2500 square feet).
