Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Plants for your Florida Water Garden

by Maria Quirico
September 7, 2025

Central Floridians love constructing water features because Water Gardens add a touch of class to your home. We create ponds and container water gardens easily by visiting our local garden centers. Look for large tubs and preformed ponds with ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Curriculum, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Wildlife
Left to right: Larval Antlion, pupal antlion, adult antlion.

Antlion Insects as Pets?

by Caitlin Sollazzo
September 6, 2025

My Story One day on a walk, I noticed a cluster of tiny funnel-shaped pits in the sand. I knew right away who made them … an antlion larva, also called a “doodlebug.” These little predators are masters at building some of the most ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H, Antlions, Insects, Manatee County Extension

Japanese Blueberry (Elaeocarpus dentatus)

by Jamie Daugherty, Ph.D.
September 4, 2025

Are you looking to attract wildlife to your yard? Consider the Japanese Blueberry (Elaeocarpus dentatus). Although relatively new to the industry, this evergreen tree makes an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly yards throughout USDA ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension
Lawn irrigation spray head running

Salt and Drought Tolerant Plants Presentation this Monday

by llw5479
September 3, 2025

With the increase in population, the increase of reclaimed water use and the potential for an upcoming dry summer, comes the need to understand the use of salt and drought-tolerant plants. This is what I’ll cover during a free lecture ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn
Tags: Drought Tolerant Plants, Lecture, Reclaimed Water, Salt Tolerant Plants, Saltwater Intrusion, Seminar

Stories from the Yard: Our Path to Florida-Friendly Landscapes

by Lorna Bravo
September 1, 2025

Growing a Garden with Purpose: Teaching, Sustaining, Inspiring Join us as we share real stories from local gardeners and homeowners who are changing their yards into Florida-Friendly landscapes. Learn helpful tips, successes, and challenges ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, , Water, Wildlife
Tags: Conserve Water, Florida Friendly Landscape, Florida Gardening, Invasive Species, Master Gardener Program, Storytelling, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Urban Environments

Reviving Elms: Lessons from Dutch Elm Disease and Strategies for Healthy Urban Forests

by Jamie Daugherty, Ph.D.
August 27, 2025

The introduction of Dutch elm disease in the 1930s marked a turning point in American urban forestry. Millions of the once iconic elm trees across the U.S. were lost. The disease originated in Asia, where native elm species show some natural ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Tree Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension

Loquat Trees in Your Food Forest: A Sweet Addition to Central Florida Landscapes

by Jamie Daugherty, Ph.D.
August 26, 2025

As edible landscaping continues to gain momentum, many Central Florida homeowners are exploring the concept of growing a food forest. A food forest is a layered, productive forested containing various fruit trees in your own back yard. If you're ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Backyard Fruit, Fruit Forest, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension
green palms trees against a blue sky

9/18/25 Palms Workshop–In Person in Orange Co.

by Hannah Eason
August 26, 2025

BEWARE! AFTER THIS CLASS, YOU WILL NEVER LOOK AT PALMS THE SAME AGAIN! Palms are popular plants that represent a slice of Florida paradise! There is a science to growing pretty palms that will thrive in Florida, from wild places to managed ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Central Florida, CEU, CEUs, Cflandscapes, Commercial Horticulture, Commercial Lawn And Ornamental, Continuing Education, Continuing Education Unit, Cpo, Education, Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Gardening Class, Hkalaman, Hwooten, Landscape, Landscape Architect, Landscape Design, Landscapes, Lawn And Ornamental, Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance, Limited Lawn And Ornamental, Nutrient Deficiencies, Ocextension, Orlando Events, Ornamental And Turf, OT, Pa, Palm, Palm Diagnostics, Palm Fertilizer, Palm Problems, Palms, PCO, Planning, Plant Diseases, Plant Pests, Pruning, Right-of-Way, Row, Streetscape, Sustainable Landscaping

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