flawildflowers, Author at Florida Wildflower Foundation

Webinar: Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery – Life, Death & Wildflowers

Events, Home News, NewsBy flawildflowers September 20, 2021

Hear the story of Heartwood Preserve in this free webinar at 2 p.m. on October 12. Heartwood Preserve, based on the concept of conservation burial, is an environmental sanctuary where end-of-life decisions are made in harmony with nature. Executive Director Laura Starkey and Assistant Director Diana Brooks will explain conservation burial, give an overview of the land’s history and management and discuss the importance of fire ecology to the overall health of the preserve.

Member profile: Phyllis Stopford

Home News, Member profile, NewsBy flawildflowers September 1, 2021

A Florida Wildflower Foundation member for more than a decade, Phyllis Stopford is devoted to learning about native plants. The more she learns about the beneficial quality of native plants, the more her perspective grows. “I now see landscapes through a different lens and have redefined my idea of beauty. ”

Stacey Matrazzo named incoming FWF Executive Director

Home News, NewsBy flawildflowers September 1, 2021

The Florida Wildflower Foundation is pleased to announce that Stacey Matrazzo has been chosen as its next Executive Director, succeeding Lisa Roberts, who is retiring on Sept. 30.

Webinar: Why Not Lawns? (Well, I’ll tell you…)

Events, Home News, NewsBy flawildflowers August 31, 2021

Lawns contribute substantially to climate change, air and water pollution, the extinction crisis and many other serious environmental problems. In this webinar, Dr. Emily Roberson, director of the Native Plant Society of the United States, will present data on the surprisingly large scale of lawn-related environmental damage, as well as costs and labor.

Lake County, FWF partner to create pollinator habitat

Home News, NewsBy flawildflowers August 5, 2021

Bees and butterflies, including Monarchs, have 3 acres of new native habitat, thanks to Lake County Parks and Trails and the Florida Wildflower Foundation, which have partnered to develop pollinator habitat along the multiuse Neighborhood Lakes Scenic Trail north of Orlando.

Blanketflower – native or not?

Home News, NewsBy flawildflowers August 5, 2021

Recent research found that Gaillardia pulchella is not a native Florida species, but rather an introduced species. The news sparked many different reactions across the state. Experts weigh in on what this means for Florida gardeners.

Webinar: 20 Easy-to-Grow Wildflowers

Home News, NewsBy flawildflowers August 4, 2021

In this webinar, Nancy Bissett will present easy-to-grow native wildflowers that attract a variety of butterflies and other pollinators essential to Florida’s natural health. Nancy will cover detailed descriptions of each plant, including its flowering, seeding and growing conditions, such as light, moisture and soil needs.

Know your native pollinators: Great purple hairstreak

Home News, News, PollinatorsBy flawildflowers August 4, 2021

The Great purple hairstreak is a relatively large butterfly that can often be found in oak hammocks, home to their larval host Oak mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum). Oddly, Great purple hairstreaks can be identified by the iridescent blue, not purple, on the upper side of their wings.

Learn to establish a wildflower garden from seed

Events, Home News, NewsBy flawildflowers July 7, 2021

Fall is planting time if you want to establish a wildflower garden from seed. Get ready by joining us at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, for a free webinar on establishing your own native wildflower garden. Dr. Jeff Norcini, our Research and Planting consultant, will go over key points you’ll need to know to tip the scales of success in your favor.

Check wet areas for colorful summer wildflowers

Bloom Report, Home News, NewsBy flawildflowers July 7, 2021

Summer offers a wide array of colorful, showy wildflowers in moist to inundated areas, especially in nature preserves along trails and roadside ditches and swales in rural areas. Here’s what to look for.

Member profile: Steven Miller

Home News, Member profile, NewsBy flawildflowers June 30, 2021

Get to know new Florida Wildflower Foundation member Steven Miller. Steven, founder of a wedding photography company based in Central Florida, incorporates native plants into his business! When he is not taking pictures of people professionally, he is usually snapping pictures of the natural world or filling up his yard with wildflowers.

Happy National Pollinator Week!

Home News, News, PollinatorsBy flawildflowers June 20, 2021

This week, we salute the little things — the pollinators that do our major lifting. Why care about pollinators? Because 80 percent of our food crops depend on them, as does the health of our natural areas, which we depend on for things such as oxygen (sort of vital, right?).

Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees & Butterflies

Home News, UncategorizedBy flawildflowers June 18, 2021

Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees & Butterflies draws from author Jaret Daniels’ experience as an entomologist and native plant gardener. Read our review of the new book.

Need help in your dry or shaded landscape?

Home News, Learn, News, PlantingBy flawildflowers June 3, 2021

Wondering what native wildflowers and plants grow in the shade or in a dry landscape? Check out these two new publications for guidance. You’ll learn how to plan for success and see palettes of species that thrive in shade and dry conditions.

Know your native pollinators: Atala

Home News, News, PollinatorsBy flawildflowers June 2, 2021

Florida once teemed with Atala butterflies but overharvesting of the Atala’s host plant Coontie caused a drastic decline in butterfly populations. During the mid-20^th century Atalas were thought to be extinct. Now populations are rebounding thanks to the high demand for Coontie in native landscaping. Atalas are lovely hairstreak butterflies with velvety black wings that shine with an iridescent aquamarine. The underside of their wings displays three rows of small aquamarine dots and a larger reddish orange spot on the hindwing.

Author Archives: flawildflowers