Plants have a long history of being woven into human traditions, even when the meaning of those traditions has been lost over time. Evergreen trees, poinsettias, tulips, and roses are commonly used in these traditions to help us celebrate our ... READ MORE
Category: Horticulture
While many crape myrtles do best with cooler weather found north of us, there is one type of this beautiful flowering tree that actually benefits from warmer, subtropical temperatures. This crape myrtle reigns supreme in flower and leaf ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
I wanted to write once more about the ylang-ylang tree as I saw some in the area during early fall that spurred my memory. Fragrance in the garden can be subtle or sometimes overwhelming, but always memorable. When I lived in the West ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Growing up in Tennessee, my backyard was a large expanse of woods right off a concrete patio. In areas that received sunshine, one of my favorite plants was a groundcover called thrift, Phlox subulata. Each spring, pink flowers brightened ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping
Ixora can be found in just about every landscape in Charlotte County as it provides colorful flowers, tropical foliage and variety of size that makes this shrub so popular. However, with our predominately alkaline soils, growing acid-loving ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Walking through a northwest Florida wildflower prairie in mid-October, the star of the show is Liatris. Known as dense gayfeather or blazing star, this tall (up to 7’!) stunner of a plant is covered up with clusters of small purple ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
To support monarch butterflies, the University of Florida and other conservation groups recommend Florida native milkweed species as host and nectar plants. Currently, there are three native milkweed species that are most commonly found ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, , Wildlife
Chrysanthemums Traditionally this time of year we spend our money on lovely colorful blooming Chrysanthemums for fall décor. Please consider our pollinators when purchasing your next landscape seasonal plants. Here’s why: in cultivated mums, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
The intricate camouflage developed within the animal kingdom never fails to fascinate me. From fish that look like seagrass blades to butterflies that look like tree bark—or a pair of eyes—the variety, color, and textures are just mind-boggling. ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is alerting growers to a new pest of concern making its mark in South Florida farms and nurseries: the invasive two-spot cotton leafhopper. Measuring ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research