Wildflowers in the landscape

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Get to know Florida’s native wildflowers.

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.

“Everything on Planet Earth has a purpose for being here. If you disrupt the balance of the web of life, there are consequences. The more we understand these interactions, the better off we are.” — Dr. Walter K. Taylor, author and UCF professor emeritus, biology

Wildflowers in the landscape

20 Easy-to-Grow Wildflowers

20 Easy-to-Grow Wildflowers – your guide to success!

With interest mounting in using wildflowers in urban landscapes, there is a huge demand for information for those new to Florida’s native plants. Enter “20 Easy-to-Grow Wildflowers,” a new publication from the Florida Wildflower Foundation. The free 24-page magazine features a selection of 20 “tried and true” species that are easy to grow and maintain.

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Seedings for Schools garden

More classroom resources

Additional resources and activities on wildflowers, gardening, wildlife, pollinators, and other related topics for teachers and students.

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Powderpuff (Mimosa strigillosa)

Try these alternatives to common invasive species

Some of the plants that are common to our home landscapes are actually invasive species, many of which are now widespread in Florida’s natural areas. Removing these species from your landscape and replacing them with native alternatives can help prevent the spread of invasive species and will provide suitable food and cover for native wildlife. We suggest some “alter-natives” for your landscape.

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We continue to work with experts on Florida’s native wildflowers to bring you information about their habits and habitats. We know you’ll enjoy getting to know them, and their work with our fabulous wildflowers.

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Go Mobile!

BirdingTrailApplogoGet the App

Nature Viewing Along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail helps you identify the state’s birds, butterflies and wildflowers. Android version

wildflowerrouteapplogoWildflower Trips

Plan a trip to the Panhandle. Learn about bloom hotspots and places to visit. Bookmark this web-based resource.

Request brochures and handouts

butterflies and wildflowers brochure

Fill out our request form to receive butterfly/wildflower brochures and handouts for a school, meeting or event.  (Supplies are limited.)

Print handouts with these quick links

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

Panhandle wildflower viewing

Panhandle BrochureThe Panhandle is considered the best place in Florida to view native wildflowers. Find routes and hotspots easily with the Native Wildflowers in Florida’s Eastern 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.

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

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

Best Plants for Southern Gardens

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

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

Everglades Wildflowers
Everglades Wildflowers
(Roger Hammer, 2002)

Wildflowers of Florida
Wildflowers of Florida Field Guide
(Jaret Daniels, 2010)

Bringing Nature Home
Bringing Nature Home
(Douglas W. Tallamy, 2007)

WildlifeHeugel
Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife
(Craig Heugal, 2010)

Native Florida Plants

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

Right Plants for Dry Places
The Right Plants for Dry Places, Native Plant Landscaping in Central Florida (Suncoast Native Plant Society, ISBN: 0820004235
Second Edition)

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

Explore our Research

There’s a lot we don’t know about wildflowers. Our research program unlocks their secrets and producing information of use to homeowners, land managers, growers and highway maintenance managers.