Tag: native plants

Exploring Florida’s Natives: Muhly Grass

by Julia Sirchia
March 12, 2026

If you’re looking to create visual interest in your Florida landscape without adding extra maintenance to your to-do list, muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is a standout choice. This beloved Florida native is known for its delicate, ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Home Landscapes
Tags: Coastal Landscaping, Exploring Florida's Natives Series, Fall Blooms, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscape, Landscaping, Native Gardens, Native Plants, Rocky Soil, Sandy Soil, Semi-evergreen, Smart Landscape

Exploring Florida’s Natives: Beach Sunflower

by Julia Sirchia
March 10, 2026

Looking to add year-round color, pollinator appeal, and resilience to your Florida landscape? Meet the beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis), a.k.a the dune sunflower, a cheerful Florida native known for its sunny yellow-orange blooms and effortless ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Beach Sunflower, Butterfly Garden, Butterfly Gardens, Exploring Florida's Natives Series, Flower, Gardening, Gardens, Native, Native Gardens, Native Plants, Pollinators

Weekly “What is it?”: Traditional Ecological Knowledge

by Carrie Stevenson
February 25, 2026

We all know an old-timer who’s lived in the area forever. They can tell you about the flood of the century or the time the bay froze. Sometimes there’s a little tall tale thrown in, but for the most part you can trust them to know the ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Environmental Education, Habitat Conservation, Native Plants, Weekly What Is It

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

Subscribe For More Great Content