UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County -

A Comprehensive Look at Ctenophores in Charlotte Harbor

by Emma Van Gheem
August 14, 2026

If you've ever taken a stroll along the shoreline in Charlotte Harbor, you may have noticed dozens or even hundreds of clear, gelatinous organisms drifting just beneath the water's surface. During certain times of the year, they can appear in ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Bioluminescence, Charlotte County, CharlotteHarbor, CoastalEcosystems, CombJellies, Ctenophores, Estuary, GulfCoast, Marine Invertebrates, MarineLife, MnemiopsisLeidyi, SeaWalnut, SouthwestFlorida

Right Plant, Right Place: Understanding turfgrass in a Florida Friendly Landscape™

by Kaylynn Hyson
August 7, 2026

The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Program takes a science-based approach in advocating for healthy, properly managed turfgrass. The first principle of FFL is Right Plant, Right Place, and that principle applies to turfgrass just ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping,
Tags: Grass, Lawn, The Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Turf

A spiller – creeping wire vine

by Ralph Mitchell
August 7, 2026

In container garden design they always use terms such as “thrillers, spillers, and fillers” in regard to plant attributes and function. “Thrillers,” are large and colorful plants in the middle of the container, while “fillers” ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Containers, Hanging Baskets, Muehlenbeckia Axillaris, Rock Gardens, Spiller

Figuring out figs

by Ralph Mitchell
July 31, 2026

Upfront I will say that I have had limited success with establishing a fig in my garden. I tried a couple of times but did not succeed. What was my main problem – nematodes! I think that I live on a nematode conservation district ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Tags: Fig, Fruit

A little sweet, a little tart – a taste for the paste – the tamarind

by Ralph Mitchell
July 30, 2026

I started a tamarind tree from seed at least fifteen years ago. I would have more often found a started plant but had some seeds with sprouted very easily. I ended up with one tree which was stepped up from one pot to another pot until ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Tags: Fruit, Tamarind

Know before you grow

by Kaylynn Hyson
July 22, 2026

Few plants capture the vibrant colors of a Florida summer quite like Caladiums. Caladiums are desirable for the vast variety of color combinations and height. They are great for ground cover, edging, and container plants. Their versatile nature ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Caladiums

A cautionary tale

by Ralph Mitchell
July 14, 2026

A certain percentage of our landscape plants are not only inedible, but they can also be downright toxic! There are many that come to mind – the oleander is probably one that everybody knows about. Do you know about oleanders’ toxic ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Lucky Nut, Toxic, Tree Daffodil, Yellow Oleander

The reasoning for the seasoning – curry leaf

by Ralph Mitchell
July 13, 2026

With a continued interest in edible ornamentals, edible landscapes are a common theme in Florida horticulture. The intentional effort of adding plants to the landscape that are both attractive and edible is a common practice with many ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Curry, Edible, Ornamentals, Shrub

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved – firespike

by Ralph Mitchell
July 1, 2026

When a plant receives credibility due to its adaptability to growing in Florida landscapes, you should take notice. The firespike - a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved plant – is one such selection noted for its ornamental beauty ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Butterflies, Firespike, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, Hummingbirds

Riddle me this…when is an invasive plant, not an invasive plant?

by Ralph Mitchell
July 1, 2026

Some types of Ficus trees have a bad reputation related to growing too big, categorized as prohibited, or just outright invasive. One variety of Ficus, specifically Ficus microcarpa var fuyuensis 'Green Island' is an amazing plant that ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Ficus, Ficus Microcarpa Var Fuyuensis, Shrub

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