4-H’er of the month: Hope Downing
Invasion of the Landscape Snatchers: Nandina (Nandina domestica)
Nandina (Nandina domestica) Nandina, or heavenly bamboo, started in the landscape and now appears throughout some of our natural areas. This evergreen shrub grows upright and produces bright red berry clusters, similar to Coral Ardisia…. Read More
Invasion of the Landscape Snatchers: Mimosa Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
Mimosa Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin) I’ll be the first to admit – this is a beautiful tree. Unfortunately, it is highly invasive. You can easily see this tree sprinkled throughout the landscape because of its… Read More
Invasion of the Landscape Snatchers: Mother of Millions (Kalanchoe x houghtnoii)
Mother of Millions (Kalanchoe x houghtnonii) The Mother of Millions gets its name because of the hundreds of offspring it produces and spreads across the landscape. This specific plant has been problematic for Nassau County’s… Read More
Invasion of the Landscape Snatchers: Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex)
Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex) You can easily identify Mexican Petunia in the landscape. Its upright growth produces beautiful blue to purple flowers. Growing approximately 3′ tall, it is commonly seen placed as a perennial plant… Read More
Invasion of the Landscape Snatchers: Wild Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
Wild Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Unlike other invasive plants introduced for their ornamental quality, Wild Taro appeared as a potential crop substitute. The U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced it in hopes to develop a substitute for… Read More
Invasion of the Landscape Snatchers: Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata)
Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata) Coral Ardisia, in some communities, is recognized as “Public Enemy #1”. Its rampant growth throughout our natural communities quickly displaces natural plant communities. First introduced as an ornamental plant, due to… Read More
Invasion of the Landscape Snatchers: Tuberous Sword Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)
Tuberous Sword Fern/Boston Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia) The Tuberous Sword Fern swarms our landscapes and is easily found at many nurseries around the county. It goes by many names, including Boston Fern. You can easily confuse… Read More
TRICK-OR-TREAT Best Practices
The CDC has developed guidelines to help navigate Halloween, providing ideas to make Halloween activities more creative, and reducing the risk for getting COVID. So, classic door to door trick-or-treating and large in door costume… Read More
Invasion of the Landscape Snatchers: Lantana (Lantana camara)
Non-Native Lantana (Lantana camara) Lantana is an unbelievably common landscape plant, although, not all are invasive species. There are native and sterile non-native lantanas available at landscape nurseries. The non-native invasive Lantana (Lantana camara/strigocamara) is… Read More