by Lauren Goldsby | May 8, 2025
It’s that time of year when you bump into a bumble bee and watch butterflies fluttering around as you water the garden. If you’re like me, you’ve been waiting patiently for butterflies to start laying their eggs. Butterflies and moths lay eggs on specialized plants that caterpillars depend on once they hatch. These host plants provide caterpillars with food, shelter, and protection- and they can be anything from a small weed to a tall oak tree.
Freshly hatched Gulf fritillary on passionflower
Monarch butterfly on echinacea
While host plants feed caterpillars, nectar plants feed butterflies. Host plants are specific to each butterfly or moth, while nectar plants attract and feed many different species. Provide a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors of flowering plants to attract different butterflies. To support all life stages of butterflies it’s important to have both host and nectar plants in your garden.
Keep an eye out for signs of caterpillars on your host plants and remember that these plants are meant to be eaten! Because caterpillars feed exclusively on their host plants, they won’t harm the rest of your landscape. Before you reach for pesticides when you see leaf damage, take a moment to identify what’s causing it. It may just be hungry caterpillars getting ready to transform into butterflies. For more information see this EDIS publication about butterfly gardening in Florida, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW057.
Zebra longwing caterpillar on passionflower
Want to support both caterpillars and butterflies with one plant? Try passionflower! Florida is home to 6 native species of passionflower. Maypop or wild passionflower, Passiflora incarnata, is the showiest of these. Flowers of pink and purple cover the passionflower from the summer to fall, offering nectar for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Passiflora species are host plants for the zebra longwing and gulf fritillary caterpillars.
Passiflora incarnata
Gulf fritillary (left) and zebra longwing (right)
Gulf fritillary (left) and zebra longwing (right)
by Lauren Goldsby | Mar 27, 2025
It’s hard to miss the clusters of lavender colored flowers that seem to be growing everywhere right now. That’s because they are an invasive wisteria, doing what invasive plants do best: growing everywhere.
Wisteria vine wrapped around tree trunk
Photo: Tristan Hansford; Budwood.org
We often notice the invasive Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese wisteria (Wisteria Floribunda) in the early spring because of their fragrant and showy flowers. Look closely, and you’ll see thick vines wrapped around trees, decks, and other structures. This dense growth outcompetes native plants by taking up available light, nutrients, and space. Eventually the vines can even kill the trees and damage structures they grow on.
Look-Alike Alternatives
If you love the look of the invasive wisteria, consider planting the native American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) to achieve a similar look, without damaging structures or ecosystems. American wisteria is a native plant and a larval host plant for butterflies and moths, including the long-tailed skipper. It grows well in USDA zones 5 to 9.
American Wisteria
Photo courtesy of Robert H. Mohlenbrock, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1991.
Invasive wisteria has larger and less dense flower clusters.
Photo: UF/IFAS Lauren Goldsby
Invasive Wisteria Removal
Use the lavender colored flowers in the spring to locate invasive wisteria in your landscape. Invasive wisteria has long flower clusters (up to 50cm) and seed pods that are covered in dense hairs. American wisteria has shorter (5-10cm), denser flower clusters and seed pods that are hairless. If the vine you see is growing aggressively in natural areas, it is likely an invasive wisteria. You can always reach out to your local Extension office for help with identification.
Cut the vine as close to the root as possible and apply glyphosate to the cut stem with a sponge or paintbrush. Invasive wisteria can spread from seeds and stems so be careful to remove all plant material and dispose of it in your garbage not your compost bin. If you do not want to apply herbicide you can still cut the main stem but will need to come back to remove sprouts or dig up and remove the root system.
For more recommendations on vining plants that won’t take over, check out this article: Versatile Vines
by Lauren Goldsby | Feb 6, 2025
Last month, we experienced historic snowfall throughout the Panhandle. During these magical snow days, I noticed that I had to refill my bird feeder faster than expected. Even as snow fell, birds flocked to the feeder all day long.
UF/IFAS Photo by Cristina Carrizosa
In winter, birds rely more on bird feeders because many plants are dormant and aren’t producing food. Insects are also less abundant during the colder months. (Read about where they go here: Where Do Insects Go in the Winter?). Growing native plants in your landscape can help provide extra food sources for birds and habitat for overwintering insects. However, long periods of freezing temperatures, like those we experienced last month and in December of 2022, can damage natural food sources and make it even harder for birds to find food.
Consider supporting your local and migrating bird populations this winter by putting out a bird feeder. In return, expect a colorful show you can enjoy in your own yard! Here are some recommendations for success:
- Different birds are attracted to different types of food and have different feeding habits. To reduce mess, look for seed mixes that don’t contain milo, oats, and red millet, often labeled “no mess”. These seeds are less desirable to birds and often end up scattered on the ground, which can attract rodents. Uneaten millet seeds can sprout and grow under bird feeders.
Millet growing under bird feeder from uneaten seed.
Pine cone bird feeder
- Suet is an excellent choice for winter feeding because it’s a high-protein, high-energy food source for birds. You can buy suet at the store or make your own using this recipe: DIY Suet Recipe. Another fun, homemade option is the classic pinecone bird feeder made with peanut butter or lard. This kid-friendly activity can be found here: Pinecone Bird Feeder
- It’s important to clean your feeders every two to three weeks to prevent the spread of diseases, get rid of moldy seeds, and keep the birds healthy. Most bird feeders can be cleaned with a 10% bleach solution, while wooden feeders are best cleaned with hot, soapy water. Sugar water in hummingbird feeders should be changed every 3-5 days or more frequently if they’re in direct sunlight or hot weather. Don’t forget to wash your hands after cleaning or refilling your bird feeder!
The best way to support your local birds is by planting native plants and providing a safe habitat in your yard. Native plants produce food and attract insects that birds feed on, helping them thrive year-round. When food is scarce, bird feeders can be an important supplement, but regular cleaning is essential to maintain bird health.
For more detailed information on feeder selection, food types, and tips, visit: Bird Feeder Guide.
by Lauren Goldsby | Dec 13, 2024
UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones
Many of us experienced our first freezing temperatures in the Panhandle last week. As we welcome winter, here are some helpful resources to prepare your plants when temperatures dip in the months ahead:
Frost in the Panhandle? Practical Tips for Protecting Your Garden
Cold Protection of Landscape Plants EDIS
One tip you’ll often see in these recommendations is to water your plants before a freeze. At first, this might seem counterintuitive, but wet soil can actually help your plants weather freezing temperatures for several reasons.
Soil naturally has small pockets of air. UF/IFAS Photography: Tyler Jones.
Water’s ability to absorb and hold heat—known as high specific heat—makes it a powerful tool against cold stress. Dry soil contains air spaces that don’t hold heat well. By watering your soil, you replace those air pockets with water, which absorbs more heat during the day and releases it slowly at night. This helps keep the soil and roots warmer than the surrounding air. Covering plants with sheets and frost cloth can help trap this warmth around the plants.
Dehydration from freeze damage can make leaf tissue look similar to drought stress. UF/IFAS Photo by Cat Wofford
Beyond heat retention, water also reduces the effects of cold stress. Both freezing and drought conditions cause plant cells to lose water, leading to dehydration. Water is essential for many plant functions including photosynthesis, nutrient transport, and maintaining structural support of the plant. Good water availability within the plant before the freeze helps reduce the water stress associated with cold damage. However, watering right after a freeze will not provide the same benefits because root activity slows in the cold weather.
For best results, water the soil in the morning before a freeze, focusing on the soil, rather than the leaves, as wet leaves are more prone to freeze damage. During fall and winter, plants generally require less frequent watering, so check the soil moisture before watering to avoid overwatering. Standing water can harm roots and increase stress on the plant.
Get familiar with your soil by checking moisture level before you water. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones
by Lauren Goldsby | Dec 5, 2024
In recent months, I’ve noticed an increasing number of AI-generated plant photos being shared on social media. These posts feature plants that seem to have stepped out of a dream rather than a garden—orchids shaped like cats, elephant ears as tall as your house, and neon-colored variegated plants.
What is an AI generated photo? An AI, or artificial intelligence, generated photo is made using a computer program instead of being captured by a camera. These programs can produce images based on a user’s description or request, generating realistic or abstract photos. Scroll through the comments on these images and you’ll see a mix of reactions. Some love the photos, asking where they can find these plants. Others are quick to point out that they aren’t real. For the most part, these images are harmless fun, sparking creativity and potentially inspiring people to spend more time outdoors with their own plants.
This image was generated with the assistance of AI. Exceptionally large flowering plants do exist, but the varying leaf and flower sizes in this photo point to the use of editing or AI.
However, these AI-generated photos are also being used to market seeds and cuttings that do not actually exist. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of discovering a new plant you’ve never seen. To avoid being scammed online, look out for these signs of AI-generated photos.
AI-generated photos may look quite real at first glance, but a closer inspection often reveals common flaws.
- Unnatural details: Look for leaves growing into each other, flowers without stems, and other gravity defying traits. These are common errors made in computer generated images. Some images may show plants to be much larger than they appear in nature.
This image was generated with the assistance of AI. The flower on top seems to grow right into the leaf below.
- Blurred backgrounds: Close up shots with blurry backgrounds are frequently used in these listings. This blurring is used to hide inconsistencies and reduce the visibility of errors in these photos.
- Inconsistent photos: Check all photos in the listing for similarities and differences. Large differences between photos in the same listing could point to the use of AI. Plants shown below appear to be similar at first glance but show leaves with different shapes and color patterns. These leaves would not be found on the same plant.
These images were generated with the assistance of AI. Note the green outline in one leaf and red outline in the other.
In real plants, leaf shapes and patterns are typically similar but not identical. AI-generated plant photos often have leaves and patterns that are either identical or differ more than a living plant would. To help differentiate between real and AI-generated images, watch for repetitive patterns that appear perfect, or identical on leaves. In nature, there are subtle differences within patterns and shapes that we expect to see.
This image was generated with the assistance of AI. All the leaves look identical here, in living plants we expect subtle differences and natural looking growth.
Before purchasing, search for more information about the advertised plant.
- Check for reputable vendors: If no other trusted vendors are selling it, it’s likely not real. Search for additional listings and compare descriptions and photos.
- Look for botanical names: The botanical name can be used to find out more information about the advertised plant.
- Use trusted sources: Avoid using social media and other unreliable sources to get more information on these plants. The Ask IFAS search engine can connect you with current Extension publications.
Still unsure?
If you’re uncertain, reach out to your local Extension office for guidance.
