Over fifty years ago, I received a small mail-order Over fifty years ago, I received a small mail-order bougainvillea plant and grew it in on a windowsill indoors up north. I actually got it to bloom, and it brought color and tropical ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
A few years ago, I was given a small Brazilian red cloak plant to try in my landscape. It grew vigorously to about eight-feet tall by the following year and became a stunning specimen in my front flower bed. At Christmas it was festooned ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Some plants have a number of uses across a broad spectrum – Bahia grass as an example where it is used both in pastures and as a landscape turf. Another crossover plant in the same vein is the turf alternative called perennial peanuts. ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn
County Events are a welcoming chance for 4‑H members to share what they know, teach a skill, and celebrate learning with their club and community. This quick guide outlines what you can enter, how to choose the right category, how to register, ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Curriculum
While orchids are not my specialty, I have dabbled with them from time to time. Perhaps the most success I have had is with cattleya orchids. Giant spectacular blooms, fairly easy to care for and somewhat forgiving of my occasional neglect, ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Our office is often asked what type of groundcovers are best to plant or is there even a turfgrass alternative. While several come to mind, one popular choice is called sunshine mimosa. Sunshine mimosa is a great native groundcover and ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn
Why is the shrub known as “Golden Showers”, “Rain-of-gold”, or Thryallis considered a great Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved plant? Flowering almost all year round, this graceful shrub is a low-maintenance evergreen that ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Fair week is loud, busy, and unforgettable—then it’s suddenly over. A few minutes of reflection helps kids turn all that experience into real growth. When children pause to name what happened and how it felt, their brains strengthen memory, ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Curriculum
Freezes and frosts – just like death and taxes – can be expected even here in Southwest Florida. I remember twenty-six years ago when I first arrived in Charlotte County. I planted a couple of marginal plants that I thought would ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Many plants in our landscape are just not going to tolerate shade to any degree and look usefully ornamental - they often become leggy, lose foliage color or never flower. There are a few exceptions to this rule however and one example ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes