Cicada killers
The other day, our Horticulture agent, Beth Bolles, called me over to point out something of interest. Along the sidewalk between our buildings was a sandy burrow that looked like a cross between a fire ant mound and a crawfish burrow. “People ask me about these all...
Should I Prune My Blueberries?
When, how, and if you prune your blueberries depends on your goals and how you want to manage your plants. Pruning is usually done to control plant height, open up the canopy, and remove older canes that are less productive. Blueberry canes form flower buds starting...
A Plea for Purple Heart
All gardeners dream of the perfect plant that requires no maintenance, comes back every year, and remains strikingly beautiful nearly year-round. There is one such plant in my landscape that I never have to fuss over and always looks the part. One plant stands...
Watch Your Step, Fire Ants are Out There!
The warm Florida climate makes it a biologically diverse place, with plants and animals from all over the world finding a foothold here. Some are benign, while others can become pests that harm the environment or get in the way of human activities. One such pest is...
Looking Ahead: Fall Gardening in the Florida Panhandle
It may still be scorching hot outside, but it’s not too early to be thinking ahead of what to plant in your fall garden this upcoming season. There’s much to do to prepare, so knowing the right steps to get ahead will save you time. There are many options for fall and...
The Sunshine State is the Perfect Place for Sunflowers
Sunflowers, Helianthus spp., are a great choice for gardeners who are looking for some cheerful color in their landscape. Here in Florida, we have the main ingredient for success, lots of sunshine! Sunflowers are short-lived annuals. A good average time between...
Black-eyed Susans Bring Bold Color and Easy Care
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta, is a yellow wildflower commonly found throughout Florida. It is easily recognized by its golden yellow petals and dark brown center or its signature “black eye”. Not only is black-eyed Susan a beautiful addition to any landscape or...
Green Anoles
There’s plenty of animals you might call “cute”, but lizards usually aren’t among them. However, I’d take exception to that premise when discussing the green anole (Anolis carolinensis). With big blue eyes, brilliant green skin, and flirty males doing push-ups and...
Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum® – The Toughest Petunia Around
Normally, when one thinks of flowers that can take Florida’s summer heat, Petunia isn’t the first species that comes to mind, certainly not for me. For our northern neighbors, Petunias are one of the most popular summer bedding plants; their warm days and cool...
Managing Storm Water in Landscapes
The Panhandle has experienced a significant amount of rain lately. It seems like there isn’t a day that goes by in which even walking out the door seems impossible due to the downpour. While this is hard enough for the people living in the area, without a mitigation...