Learn about Wildflowers

Get to know Florida’s native wildflowers.

Bees on Softhair coneflower

Nature’s schedules

Nature, like a machine, has processes that keep the system running smoothly. But when there’s a mismatch between such things as flower bloom time and insect emergence, that machine ceases to function correctly.

Leavenworth's tickseed flowers

Adjusting to climate changes

According to the National Phenology Network (NPN), spring arrived about three weeks early in much of the southeastern United States, with the first tiny leaves and flower buds appearing notably earlier than usual in North Florida and, to a lesser degree, Central Florida.

Cloudless sulphur on thistle

When spring arrives too soon

To everything there is a season, but what if those seasons aren’t quite as predictable as they once were? Anecdotal and scientific information increasingly show changes in when plants are blooming, fruiting and going to seed. And that can spell trouble.

Native Plants for Florida Gardens cover

New book spotlights 100 Florida native plants for landscapes

Though Florida’s native plants have evolved here over thousands of years, they are often little-known to the state’s gardening enthusiasts. Native Plants for Florida Gardens (Pineapple Press, $21.95), a colorful new book from the Florida Wildflower Foundation, seeks to change that by providing practical, easy-to-use information on the selection, landscape use and care of 100 native wildflowers, shrubs, vines and trees.

See more resources

Native or Not?

A Florida native wildflower is a flowering herbaceous species that grew wild within the state’s natural ecosystems in the 1560s, when Florida’s first botanical records were created. Read the Foundation’s full definition of Florida native plants, including cultivars.

Exotic Invaders

Learn how invasive plants are damaging natural landscapes and ecosystems and costing taxpayers money.

Weed or Wildflower?

Wildflowers can be a beautiful addition to your garden, but they can become weeds when they grow in the wrong place. Learn more about gardening with wildflowers.

Spanish needles (Bidens alba) literally grows like a weed. So is it one? It is the hands-down favorite for Florida’s native pollinators. Photo by Bob Peterson.

The Foundation’s office is closed as a precaution amidst concerns over COVID-19. We will not be accepting orders for handouts or brochures until further notice.

Print handouts with these quick links

Reduce shipping costs and carbon footprint by downloading and printing these educational handouts.

Panhandle wildflower viewing

The Panhandle is considered the best place in Florida to view native wildflowers. Find routes and hotspots easily with the Native Wildflowers of Florida’s Panhandle guide, available at official Florida Welcome Centers. The pamphlet features viewing routes and beautiful photos of 40 common regional native flowers.

Download the brochure or pick up a copy at an official Florida Welcome Center.

Recommended References

Great books that will help you understand, identify and use Florida’s native flowers.

Gardening with Wildflowers

Native Plants for Florida Gardens
(Stacey Matrazzo and Nancy Bissett, 2020)

Florida’s Best Native Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals
(Gil Nelson, 2003)

A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants
(Rufino Osorio, 2001)

Bringing Nature Home
(Douglas W. Tallamy, 2007)

Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife
(Craig Huegel, 2010)

Native Wildflowers and Other Ground Covers for Florida Landscapes
(Craig Huegel, 2012)

Native Florida Plants for Shady Landscapes
(Craig Huegel, 2015)

Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens: A Handbook for Gardeners, Homeowners, and Professionals
(Gill Nelson, 2010)

Florida Native Plants
(Robert Haehle and Joan Brookwell, 1999)

The Right Plants for Dry Places, Native Plant Landscaping in Central Florida
(Suncoast Native Plant Society, Second Edition)

Florida’s Incredible Wild Edibles
(Richard J. Deuerling and Peggy S. Lantz, 1993)

Butterfly Gardening with Florida’s Native Plants
(Craig Huegel, 1991)

Wildflower Identification

Florida Wildflowers: A Comprehensive Guide
(Walter Kingsley Taylor, 2013)

Florida Wildflowers in Their Natural Communities
(Walter Taylor, 1999)

Guide to Florida Wildflowers
(Walter Taylor, 1992)

Complete Guide to Florida Wildflowers: Over 600 Wildflowers of the Sunshine State including National Parks, Forests, Preserves, and More than 160 State Parks
(Roger Hammer, 2018)

Central Florida Wildflowers: A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Lake Wales Ridge, Ocala National Forest, Disney Wilderness Preserve, and More than 60 State Parks and Preserves
(Roger Hammer, 2016)

Florida Keys Wildflowers: A Guide to the Common Wildflowers of the Florida Keys
(Roger Hammer, 2004)

Everglades Wildflowers: A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Historic Everglades, including Big Cypress, Corkscrew, and Fakahatchee Swamps
(Roger Hammer, 2015)

Wildflowers of Florida Field Guide
(Jaret Daniels, 2010)

Wildflowers of Southwest Florida including Big Cypress NP, Corkscrew Swamp & CREW Marsh: A Guide to Common & Rare Native Species
(Roger Hammer, 2009)

Wildflowers of Central Florida: A Guide to Common & Rare Native Species
(Roger Hammer, 2010)

Wildflowers of Southeast Florida including the Florida Keys & Everglades National Park: A Guide to Common Native Species s
(Roger Hammer, 2009)

Wildlife

Butterflies of Florida Field Guide
(Jaret Daniels, 2003)

Grasshoppers of Florida
(John L Capinera, Clay Whitney Scherer and Jason Squitier)

Florida’s Birds: A Field Guide and Reference
(David S. Maehr, Herbert W. Kale and Karl Karalus, 2005)

Birds Of Florida Field Guide
(Stan Tekiela, 2005)

Birds of Florida
(Bill Pranty, Kurt Radamaker and Gregory Kennedy, 2006)

Florida’s Snakes: A Guide to Their Identification and Habits
(Richard D. Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett, 20038)

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida
(National Audubon Society, 1998)

Florida’s Living Beaches: A Guide for the Curious Beachcomber
(Blair and Dawn Witherington)

American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of Florida
(Bill Pranty and Brian E. Small, 2014)

Birds of Florida
(Todd Telander, 2012)

Identification Guide to the Snakes of Florida
(Steve A. Johnson and Monica E. McGarrity, 2003)

A Field Guide to Florida Reptiles and Amphibians (Excluding Snakes)
(R. D. Bartlett and Patricia P. Bartlett, 1998)

Florida Butterflies & Moths: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species
(James Kavanagh, Waterford Press and Raymond Leung, 2018)

Butterflies of Southwest Florida: A Guide to Common & Notable Species
(Marc C. Minno and Maria F. Minno, 2009)

Butterflies of Central Florida: A Guide to Common & Notable Species
(Marc C. Minno and Maria F. Minno, 2010)

Florida Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species
(James Kavanagh, Waterford Press and Raymond Leung, 2018)

Birds of Florida’s Gulf Coast: Folding Guide
(Ernest Simmons, 2002)

Snakes of Central Florida: A Guide to Common & Notable Species
(George L. Heinrich and Timothy J. Walsh, 2011)

Snakes of South Florida: A Guide to Common & Notable Species
(George L. Heinrich and Timothy J. Walsh, 2011)

Snakes of Northern Florida Including the Panhandle: A Guide to Common & Notable Species
(George L. Heinrich and Timothy J. Walsh, 2013)

Butterflies of the Florida Keys: A Guide to Common & Notable Species
(Marc C. Minno, 2009)

Butterflies of Southeast Florida: A Guide to Common & Notable Species
(Marc C. Minno, 2009)