On Wednesday, the downtown garden at the Orange County Administration building received a makeover. The new installment includes more than 17 species of native plants that will boost pollinator visits to the site and increase biodiversity.

“The garden receives more than 500,000 visitors each year and this makeover will not only improve the curb appeal of the garden, but it will also help educate visitors on the importance of planting native plants,” said Tia Silvasy, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County agent and makeover project’s leader. “Installing Florida-Friendly plants reduces water and fertilizer use and provides a habitat for butterflies and other pollinators, which are all things we look forward to improving in this garden.”

The improved garden includes butterfly host plants and other native species that can be planted in a home garden.

“This garden serves as a demonstration garden for the public,” Silvasy said. “We hope people from the community come to visit and are inspired to plant some of these native plants in their landscape at home.”

The project was funded by a Florida Wildflower Foundation grant and includes partners from UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Florida Master Gardener Volunteers, Orange County Government, the Florida Native Plant Society and Grounded Solutions, LLC.

If community gardening projects like this interest you, consider becoming a Florida Master Gardener Volunteer. To get started, contact the coordinator nearest you.

More UF/IFAS resources on planting for insects:

• Butterfly Gardening in Florida
• A Guide to Planting Wildflower Enhancements in Florida

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