Tag: native plants

The Importance of Using Native Plants in Zone 9

by Lisa Strange
December 2, 2025

In zone 9, native plant material is one of the most impactful choices one can make for the environment. Native plants are adapted to our climate and soils, making them more resilient, water-efficient, and less dependent on fertilizers or pesticides. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: #TaylorCounty, Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Landscaping, Native Plants, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Taylor County

Growing Persimmons

by Duval MGV
November 6, 2025

When we think of fall fruit, often we think about apples, pumpkins, and cranberries This year why not add persimmons to the list. Fall is when their ripening, orange fruits are very noticeable. Not only are they available in the produce section, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Duval, Florida Gardening, Gardening, Landscape, Native Plants, Persimmons, Trees

Plant Status Change – Tropical Milkweed is Now Listed as a Category II Invasive

by Tia Silvasy
November 5, 2025

Tropical Milkweed is now Invasive! Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) was once a go to larval host plant for monarch butterflies. As of June 2025 the plant status has changed. It is now listed as invasive in the entire state ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Asclepias, Butterfly, Invasive Species, Native Plants, Tropical Milkweed, Tsilvasy

Supporting Local Wildlife in Home Landscapes

by Liah Continentino
October 31, 2025

Florida's population is expanding by an estimated 600 people per day, fueling an ever-increasing demand for development. Development drives one of the greatest threats to Florida's wildlife: habitat loss. According to the US Fish and Wildlife ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Backyard, Conservation, Extension, Florida Keys, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Habitat, Homeowners, Landscaping, Monroe County Extension, Native Plants, Wildlife Habitat

Exploring Florida’s Natives: Butterfly Milkweed

by Julia Sirchia
October 30, 2025

Milkweed is a flowering Florida native that supports pollinators, like the monarch butterfly. It is the only plant on which Monarch butterflies can reproduce. But, beyond their critical role in supporting monarch butterfly populations, milkweed ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture
Tags: Exploring Florida's Natives Series, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Gardens, Horticulture, Native Gardens, Native Plants, Protect Native Plants

Weekly “What is it?”: Green treefrogs

by Carrie Stevenson
October 23, 2025

I usually see these guys using their suction-cup like toepads to hang out on our glass patio doors at night. Despite being 6 or 8 feet above the ground, my cat (from indoors) always attempts numerous remarkable—yet futile—high jumps ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Frog, Gardening, Native Plants, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife

How to easily grow Florida native milkweed in sandy landscapes

by Anne Yasalonis
October 10, 2025

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
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Butterflies, Butterfly, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Flowers, Gardening, Master Gardener Volunteer, Milkweed, Monarch, Native Plants, Polk County, Polk County FL, Polkgardening, Polkmg, Pollinators, Sandy Soil, UF-IFAS, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

Weekly “What is it?”: Fan clubmoss

by Carrie Stevenson
October 9, 2025

I love hiking in new places. Different terrain, new perspectives, and always some plant or animal I’ve never before come across. Last weekend on another hike along the Cumberland Plateau in southern Tennessee, we noticed a low-growing, ... READ MORE

Category: Forests, Natural Resources
Tags: Native Plants, Weekly What Is It

Salt-tolerant Landscaping in the Florida Keys

by Liah Continentino
September 25, 2025

The Florida Keys are known for their idyllic seascapes, warm climate, and fascinating geological history. While we love these aspects of the Keys, many plants may not. If you have gardened here, you know it can be difficult. One increasing horticultural ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Coastal Landscaping, Florida Keys, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, King Tides, Native Plants, Resilient Landscapes, Salt Tolerant Plants, Sustainable Landscaping

Monarchs and Milkweed: An Important Update

by polkmg
September 25, 2025

Ahhhh, monarch butterflies… Their life cycle and fascinating migration patterns, as well as their striking beauty make them intriguing and beloved to gardeners and scientists alike. The following blog post covers some of the latest ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes,
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Butterflies, Milkweed, Monarch, Native Milkweed, Native Plants, Polkgardening, Polkmg, Tropical Milkweed

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