For years, I’ve recommended a plant—the rain lily (Zephyranthes spp.)—for people interested in building rain gardens. In truth, I’d never knowingly seen the plant in the field or a landscape, but many horticulture professionals I ... READ MORE
Category: Forests, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Spring has arrived! Azaleas are in full bloom and the bluebirds are busily working on nests. Also in full bloom are the Demonstration Gardens of UF IFAS Extension, Escambia County. Known informally as the “Demo Garden,” the landscape ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
There are some things in nature that look so bizarre, so beautiful, or so ornate that one can scarcely believe they’re real. This was how I felt the first time I looked closely at a passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) bloom. Between the ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
We have an incredibly showy tree making a dramatic splash in our demonstration garden right now. The fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) is a native to the eastern and southeastern part of the United States. Its genus name, Chionanthus, ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Watch our webinar recording of Butterfly Gardening in Central Florida here. The key to attracting butterflies to your yard is to plant species that butterflies can use for food and shelter. Larval host plants are specific to butterfly species; ... READ MORE
Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
I had to do a hard thing last week. My battle-worn okra, eggplant and pepper plants that had produced so reliably since June and endured all the summertime challenges (heat, insects, disease, and a hurricane to name a few) were finally pulled ... READ MORE
Category: Horticulture
Growing in containers can be one of the most versatile ways to add color, texture and mobility to the landscape. However, gardeners generally reach for finicky annuals to fill their pots with pizzazz. The problem with this strategy is that ... READ MORE
Category: Horticulture
Almost every landscape has a problem area where the sun just doesn’t shine and many plants won’t make it, maybe it’s the north side of your house, under a small tree, or tucked away in an oddly-shaped alcove. We all know the same old ... READ MORE
Category: Horticulture
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida and experienced one of their newest additions, a children's garden. As much a playground as a place for growing plants, it was full of whimsical energy and ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, HorticultureEclectic gardening will be the topic of the October 24 “Mondays in the Gardens” series. Florida Master Gardeners Jaci Zwierzchowski and Sandra Sherman will lead the one hour presentation beginning at 10 a.m. in the outdoor classroom under ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension