Guardians of the Garden

by Julia Sirchia
April 14, 2026

Featured Pollinator: The ruby-throated hummingbird A Blooming Partnership For successful pollination and survival, plants have evolved to charm and attract a variety of animals and insects, forming symbiotic partnerships that ensure mutual ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture
Tags: Botany, Garden, Gardening, Guardians Of The Garden, Horticulture, Native, Native Gardens, Plant Sexual Reproduction, Pollen, Pollinate, Pollinator Gardens, Pollinators, Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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
Beach sunflower in bloom, growing on a chain link fence.

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

Exploring Florida’s Natives: Scarlet Sage

by Julia Sirchia
March 5, 2026

Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea), also called red salvia, scarlet salvia, or tropical sage, is a blooming Florida native. Red, pink, or white flowers attract all kinds of pollinators, a few being hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Keep reading ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Home Landscapes
Tags: Butterfly Garden, Butterfly Gardens, Exploring Florida's Natives Series, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Flowering, Flowers, Full Sun Gardens, Gardening, Gardens, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Landscape, Landscaping, Native, Native Gardens, Pollinator, Salvia Coccinea, Scarlet Sage

Growing Wellness: How Community Gardens Are Transforming Lives in Pasco County

by Julia Sirchia
March 3, 2026

In today’s world, productivity often overshadows health and well-being. Between work, family obligations, and the pace of modern life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from ourselves. Finding balance is essential. One unexpected ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Tags: Community, Community Garden, Community Gardens, Garden, Gardening, Gardens, Low-income Communities, One Stop Shop, Produce, Raised Beds, The Farmden Project, UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County’s Community Gardens Program

UF News: The Muscadine Grape

by Julia Sirchia
February 25, 2026

The muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx) is a species native to the Southeast U.S. and the first to be cultivated in North America. While the native Muscadine grape shares some similarities with its European (Vitis vinifera) cousins, these ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Exploring Florida's Natives Series, Fruit Crop, Fruit Crop Production, Fruit Production, Garden, Gardening, Gardens, Grape, Grape Breeding, Grapes, Grapes In Florida, Muscadine, Muscadine Grape, Native Florida Grape, Natives, UF News, Vitis Rotundifolia Michx

UF News: Natives & Wine in Florida

by Julia Sirchia
February 3, 2026

Long before humans were around, plants grew in all kinds of places on Earth. From oceans to deserts, plants have evolved to thrive in a diverse range of habitats. It is a good rule of thumb to match a plant to the conditions in which it will ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture
Tags: Citrus Greening, Disease Resistance, Exploring Florida's Natives Series, Grapes, Grapes In Florida, HLB, Muscadine, V.rotundifolia, Vitis Rotundifolia, Vitis Vinifera

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