UF/IFAS GLOBAL BLOGS
Have you visited the Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Demonstration Gardens at UF/IFAS Extension Polk County in Bartow? These gardens feature the nine principles of FFL and received a state award in 2019. The gardens are open to the public… Read More
When it comes to butterfly gardening, monarch butterflies seem to get all the love. Monarchs are the butterfly “homecoming queens”! They are drama queens, too, as they lead fascinating lives of intrigue, participating each year in a miraculous-seeming… Read More
Throughout the year, I collect pinecones, acorns, grasses, and seedpods in my yard and on hikes (where permitted). However, in the fall I really step up my activity. Mother nature is drying some of them for me this… Read More
Social distancing has become an all-too important description of our healthy relationships with one another during the pandemic. Did you know plants can benefit from “distancing” too? In fact, for central Florida gardeners, “distancing” in our landscapes has… Read More
Welcome to Weed Science Wednesday, a weekly series aimed at helping homeowners and horticulture professionals better identify and manage common landscape weeds in Florida. The weed of this week is long-stalked phyllanthus (Phyllanthus tenellus). Long-stalked phyllanthus is native… Read More
Have you ever fallen in love with a flower? I fell in love with zinnias about 6 years ago when I first realized this stunning flower could grow quite well in Florida. The blossoms beckon butterflies and the… Read More
Who hasn’t heard about the rediscovery of the rare blue calamintha bee in Florida, most likely thought to be extinct? It would surprise me if you hadn’t heard because this little blue ball of wonder has generated… Read More
Welcome to Weed Science Wednesday, a weekly series aimed at helping homeowners and horticulture professionals better identify and manage common landscape weeds in Florida. The weed of the week is Artillery weed (Pilea microphylla). Artillery weed is increasingly… Read More
The begonia is the fifth largest genus of flowering plants and often used in hanging baskets, flowerpots and garden beds, in addition to landscapes. This EDIS publication breaks down the basics of begonias such as their classification and… Read More
That southern charm feeling may in fact be attributed to the beautiful botanicals finding comfort in southern climates. The Science of Southern Gardens will explore the plants from the past to the flowers of the future. Plant scientists… Read More
