Category: Invasive Species

Florida’s Hidden Invaders: Invasive Plants in Our Yards Part 1

by Clarissa Chairez
August 18, 2025

Walk through almost any Florida neighborhood and you’ll probably spot a few invasive plants without even realizing it. Many were originally planted for their beauty, drought tolerance, or easy care—but those same qualities make them quick ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species
Tags: Florida Friendly, Florida Gardening, Florida Wildlife, Florida's Hidden Invaders, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Invasives, Landscape, Landscape Management, Native Plants, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Florida’s Hidden Invaders: Invasive Houseplants

by Clarissa Chairez
August 11, 2025

For much of the world, tropical plants are grown strictly as indoor houseplants because they need warm temperatures to thrive. But here in sunny Florida, many of these “houseplants” can survive year-round outdoors—and that can become a ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species
Tags: Florida Friendly, Florida Gardening, Florida Wildlife, Florida's Hidden Invaders, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Invasives, Landscape, Landscape Management, Native Plants, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Florida’s Hidden Invaders: Tackling Invasive Species

by Clarissa Chairez
August 8, 2025

Florida is a beautiful state filled with natural lands, ecological sites, and a flourishing ecosystem. Florida is home to many species of both native plants and animals, but unfortunately our year-round warm climate also makes it attractive ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species
Tags: Florida Friendly, Florida Gardening, Florida Wildlife, Florida's Hidden Invaders, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Invasives, Landscape, Landscape Management, Native Plants, Ocextension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Ambrosia Beetles: Small Insects, Big Impact

by Heather Kalaman
December 6, 2024

Ambrosia beetles are small, yet impactful, insects in Florida, playing both beneficial and harmful roles in local ecosystems. Our state is home to both native and invasive species, which aid in breaking down dead wood, contributing to nutrient ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Blog Community, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Avocado Tree, Beetles, Florida Friendly, Florida Friendly Landscaping Agent, Pests, Plant Pests, Sustainable Landscape, Tree Pests

2024 Pesticide Licensing and CEUs in Central Florida

by Hannah Eason
February 8, 2024

Pesticide and fertilizer applicators, this blog is for you! You may find these resources helpful when searching for classes, licensing, and continuing education (CEU) information. There are a variety of ways to learn, including in-person, live ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, , Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Central Florida, CEU, CEUs, Cflandscapes, Class, Classes, Continuing Education, Continuing Education Unit, Continuing Education Units, Core, Extension, Horticulture, Hwooten, Ladscape, Landscape Maintenance, Landscape Professional, Landscape Technician, Landscape Training, Landscaping, Lclm, Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance, Limited Lawn And Ornamental, Llo, On Demand, Ornamental And Turf, Ornamental Horticulture, OT, Pesticide, Pesticide Applicator, Pesticide License, Pesticide License Renewal

Golden Rain Tree: The Allure of the Invasive Intruder

by Heather Kalaman
November 6, 2023

It is officially fall in Florida. Temperatures are dropping, the holidays are just around the corner, and *gasp* the notorious golden rain trees have finally set fruit! Oh, you know the one. Adorned with sprawling limbs covered in peach-colored, ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Invasive Ornamentals, Invasive Plants, Ornamentals, Residential Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

CORE Training for Nurseries and Greenhouses

by Liz Felter
June 26, 2023

You told us that finding Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in CORE is hard to find. We listened and created an online class for you! The class is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and costs only $30! The money from this class will be used ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: CEU, CEUs, Continuing Education Units, Core, Greenhouse, Nursery, Production Hortiuculture

CEU Day–Landscape University in person in Orange County–10/11/22

by Hannah Eason
September 15, 2022

How do landscapes interact with Florida's ecosystems? How do you design landscapes to promote beneficials? Why is shade incredibly important in urban areas and how do we landscape in it? What resources are available for identification of plant ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, , Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Benficials, Best Management Practices, Best Practices, BMP, BMPs, CEU, Ceu Day, CEUs, Cflandscapes, Climate Landscaping, Commercial Landscape, Commercial Landscaping, Diagnostics, Ecosystem, FFL, Florida Friendly, Green, Green Industry, Heat Mitigation, Hwooten, Landscape, Landscape Professional, Landscape Sustainability, Landscape University, Nursery, Orange, Orange County, Orange County Extension, Orlando, Pesticide, Pesticide Applicator, Pesticide License, Plant, Plants, Professional Development, Shade, Shade Plant, Slimate, Special Interest, Sustainability, Urban Commercial Landscapes, Urban Landscapes, Water, Wildlife

Lakefront Landscaping webinar recording

by Tia Silvasy
February 17, 2022

In this webinar you will learn how to care for shorelines, lakefronts and ponds. We will cover species of beneficial plants. Learn about aquatic plants that live in the water and how to plant and maintain them. Presented by Tia Silvasy, Orange ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Aquatic Plants, Ditch, Garden, Lake, Lakefront, Landscape, Orange, Permit, Pond, Rain Garden, Seminole, Silvasy, Stormwater

Lakefront and Aquatic Landscaping

by Tia Silvasy
February 15, 2022

Protecting the waterfront is Principle #9 in Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Waterfront areas can include lakefronts, ponds, ditches, other water bodies and environmentally sensitive areas. So, what makes a nice aquatic landscape?• Full of ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Aquatic, Central Florida, Ditch, Florida Friendly, Invasive Plants, Lake, Lakefront, Landscape, Ocextension, Plants, Pond, Waterfront, Wildlife

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