Your landscape might start to look a little stressed after a harsh Florida summer, but there are some plants that will revive the landscape going into the fall months. These plants will add some interest to your landscape with their unique characteristics. Blooms, berries, and fall-colored foliage are the key to fall landscaping in your Central Florida yard. Remember that even in Florida, there are many plants that will change color, produce berries, or flower only in the fal

Photo by: UF/IFAS If you’ve driven through Florida and noticed bright yellow flowers waving along the turnpike or local highways, you may have spotted one of Florida’s most recognizable wildflowers: coreopsis. The name “coreopsis” comes from the Greek words koris, meaning “bug,” and opsis, meaning “view.” The name refers to the buglike appearance of the plant’s fruit, whose tiny seeds have pincer-like structures that can grab onto clothing or fur. The common name for coreopsi

Native wildflowers can bring color and beauty to your landscape during the summer months in Central Florida. Whether planted in a dedicated garden space, mixed into existing landscape beds, or incorporated into a naturalized area of the yard, native wildflowers are an excellent addition to a Florida-Friendly Landscape. But maintenance is a bit different for wildflowers, so learning as much as you can about the plants before you install them is recommended. Florida’s native wi

With summer approaching, it’s a good time to talk about palms. Planting palms in the summer months allows them time to develop a solid root system and take advantage of summer rainfall. Palms are different than many plants in your landscape and require special care. Proper selection, planting, watering, and fertilization are key to healthy palms in central Florida yards. RIGHT PALM, RIGHT PLACE Your Central Florida yard falls within USDA Zones 9b–10a, meaning palms must toler

Have an insect on a plant and you don’t know what to do? Moved to a new home and looking for advice on how to maintain your lawn? Looking to install native plants but don’t know where to start? Look no further than the UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic! Homeowners in Florida know that maintaining a healthy landscape can be both rewarding and challenging. From mysterious spots on leaves to declining trees or pests in the garden, plant problems can arise quickly. Additionally, man

Florida’s state tree, the cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), is one of the most recognizable native plants in our landscape. It grows along highways, in neighborhoods, and throughout Florida’s natural areas, from pine flatwoods to wetlands and prairies. Because it is so common, it is easy to overlook. But the cabbage palm is more than a familiar backdrop. It is a native species that plays an important role in supporting Florida’s wildlife, especially in landscapes that are increa

Did you know that you can grow bulbs in central Florida? Central Florida gardeners can display bulbs year-round, which is different than the bulbs you may be familiar with if you have gardened up north. There are both tropical and subtropical bulbs that thrive in our landscapes if you install and maintain them following the Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles. WHICH BULBS CAN WE GROW CENTRAL FLORIDA? Plant tropical bulbs in the spring and summer months. This includes cala

Have you ever wondered what’s under the leaf litter in your backyard? At first glance, there might not seem to be much there, but upon closer inspection … what you find might send a shiver down your spine! While “creepy crawlies” isn’t a scientific term, we’re using it here to talk about small invertebrates (like insects, worms, and spiders) that are often viewed in a negative light or go entirely unnoticed but play a huge role in our ecosystem. Central Florida’s warm humid c

Many homeowners in Central Florida turn to native wildflowers as an option for seasonal color in their landscapes. Summer-blooming wildflowers are colorful, eye-catching, and a great way to enhance your summer landscape. With proper selection and placement, summer wildflowers can thrive in your Central Florida yard. Native wildflowers are well-adapted to the sandy soils, high humidity, and frequent rainfall associated with summers in central Florida. Many native species are d

Thanks to Florida’s mild winters, many species begin their seasonal rituals well before their northern counterparts. Courtship can start as early as January or February, and by May, much of the wildlife activity has shifted to parenting, feeding, guarding, and teaching the next generation. While spring rains may not arrive until late May or even mid-June, the tempo of spring has been building for months. Let’s take a look at some of our seasonal wildlife happenings… Denning i

While February often conjures images of lovebirds and heart-shaped candies, not every species in Polk County has such romantic associations. Enter the vultures and buzzards: nature’s misunderstood cleanup crew. These fascinating scavengers—essential to the health of ecosystems in Polk County—may not win a popularity contest, but their vital role in keeping the environment clean and disease-free deserves a closer look. So, this Valentine’s Day, let’s skip the roses and candy h

As January settles in, life in Polk County’s cities, towns, and neighborhoods often slows to a comfortable rhythm. While much of the country waits until late April to celebrate Arbor Day, Florida marks the occasion several months sooner. Our subtropical climate makes it safe—and even beneficial—to plant trees during the cooler, drier winter months (with proper irrigation). By doing this now, young saplings have time to develop strong root systems before facing the intense hea

Florida faces many challenges in protecting our valuable and often fragile natural environment. These challenges include the loss of natural habitats and the growing stress on both the quality and quantity of our water resources. It can sometimes feel overwhelming as if individual actions cannot make a meaningful difference. However, the good news is that we can have a positive environmental impact—right in our own yards! The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program, developed b

Fall in central Florida may not bring the dramatic color changes seen in other parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean it lacks seasonal beauty. In fact, if you take some time to observe our unique environment, you will see that there are a variety of native plants that offer that seasonal color change we all crave this time of year. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to the world of native plants, there are plenty of options to bring the essence of fall to your la

When we think of Florida’s natural land- scapes, images of alligators and sprawling wetlands often come to mind. But hidden among the swamps and bogs of Florida are some of the most unusual and fascinating predators: carnivorous plants. Perfect for Halloween, these spooky yet spectacular species have evolved to capture and digest unsuspecting prey. They thrive in Florida’s sunny, boggy wetlands, providing ecological benefits and adding an eerie charm to the state’s unique hab

July is National Lake Appreciation Month, a fitting designation for one of the busiest times of year for water sports and recreation here in Central Florida. With so many people using the lakes, there are bound to be concerns about the health of our waterways. However, we can actually address many of these concerns by observing just one species: the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). These semi-aquatic animals are plentiful both in and out of the water and can of

Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all? I’m sitting around a fire pit with my family on an early summer evening when our conversation is halted by this echoing call. Two silent shadows plunge over our fire, pulling up to land on a branch just above my head. The pair of barred owls stares us down, their deep black eyes glowing with the light of the flames. Another form swoops up to the branch, landing clumsily and skipping along the bark to regain its balance. This owl is a

Mosquitoes are a familiar nuisance in Florida, heralding the warmer months with their unwelcome presence. Beyond their itchy bites, these insects play complex roles in our ecosystem and public health. This article delves into the life cycle of mosquitoes, their ecological impact, and practical tips for coexisting with them while minimizing their bothersome and sometimes dangerous impacts. THE ECOLOGICAL ROLE OF MOSQUITOES Despite their notoriety, mosquitoes serve vital functi

Thirteen-year-old River Selser loves the outdoors. The 7th grader is in Girl Scout Troop #74811. She enjoys swimming, horseback riding, camping, playing with her cats, and paddle boarding. “We are very active and love going camping and exploring the outdoors,” River said. “We even took a trip to Savannah, Georgia, last year and we went on a tour around the town. We went to Tybee Island and took a tour of the lighthouse! The whole troop had a great time!” The Girl Scout aspire