UF/IFAS GLOBAL BLOGS
By Ralph E. Mitchell A landscape without a hibiscus is like a day without a sunrise! These beautiful, well-developed flowering shrubs are readily available and in great demand across the gardening spectrum. Hibiscus have their share of problems… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell While many tree failures can be traced to structural weaknesses that could be eliminated with training, some trees (and palms) are just naturally more wind resistant than others and better apt to survive a… Read More
As Hurricane Irma approaches, many people are rushing to prune trees. Please make sure you follow UF/IFAS recommendations and always hire a certified arborist to do the work. Here is some helpful information for before and after the storm: Hiring… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell The Golden Dewdrop or Duranta is a versatile woody plant and an attractive addition to your landscape. The Golden Dewdrop is native to Tropical America and ranges from the Florida Keys through Mexico and… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell Florida is home to several native palms of interest including the paurotis palm aka Everglades palm and/or silver saw palm. Multiple canes emerge to make a dramatic landscape feature adorned with fan-like fronds atop… Read More
Have you ever thought about the value of birds? I mean, the value in dollars. There over 18,000 birds on this planet; all are different and all play a role in keeping Florida ecosystems healthy. They can also… Read More
Florida is home to many exotic invasive organisms- everything from plants to insects and even lizards and salt water fish. But one problem plant that many Florida residents are familiar with is Dioscorea bulbifera, or the air potato… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell The rains have finally returned to the relief of many including our plants. Rain often triggers growth and flowering as well. If you have seen rain lilies, you will know what I mean. Rain… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell I often wander through our Demonstration Garden at the East Port Environmental Campus on Harbor View Road in Port Charlotte to see what is blooming, producing fruit, or has a pest infestation. Our Natal… Read More
By Ralph E. Mitchell While periwinkles (aka vinca) are known for taking hot summers, they often don’t do well with too much moisture and resulting disease susceptibility. As a result, they often succumb to various foliar and root… Read More
