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Do you love Black-eyed Susans? Well Softhair Coneflower may be the plant for you. In the same genus as Black-eyed Susans, Softhair Coneflower is a taller relative and native northern Florida, southern Georgia, and southern Alabama. This plant is stunning in the landscape. It is perfect for areas that need taller flowers. Ours reach almost 6' tall! Not only is this a great addition for explosions of yellow flowers, but the pollinators love it too.

Check out the video to see more about this plant.

What Is Weed Fabric?

Weed fabric (aka landscape fabric or weed barrier) is typically a woven or non-woven synthetic material laid down before covering with gravel, bark, mulch, or pine straw. It's designed to block weed growth while still allowing water and air to penetrate the soil.

✅ Advantages of Using Weed Fabric

1. Weed Suppression (Short-Term) The primary reason people use weed fabric is to prevent weed growth. It can significantly reduce weeds, especially in the first 1–2 years after installation. However, it only blocks weed growth from existing weeds in the soil below. Weeds that sprout from seed after installation will still be able to grow. We see this all the time with new mulch installations. The weed fabric stops old weeds from coming through, but seeds that were unintentionally mixed in with the new mulch will sprout on top of the fabric.

2. Soil Erosion Control In sloped…

Garden....... Foe!!!! Wait... AND Friend!!! Wait... but why?

So like many other times we've discussed moth's and their larvae, we generally list them as both garden friends and foes. Here is a quick reminder why:

Although the larvae of moths (frequently called worms or caterpillars) are generally destructive to food crops, the adult moths are beneficial nocturnal pollinators. We always want to support our pollinators and beneficial insects. But, these caterpillars can be super destructive to plant foliage. Plus they host on numerous vegetable crops. What should we do?

First let's learn about the moth and caterpillar. At the end I will discuss management methods. Or you can skip there now if you want.

Saltmarsh Moths have a wide range from Central America all the way to Canada. Some people call them woolly bear moths because of the numerous hairs on the mature instars. But, Woollybear Caterpillars is a name…

When we think of pollinators, the first creatures that typically come to mind are bees, butterflies, and perhaps even some birds. However, there is another fascinating pollinator that often goes unnoticed: the soldier beetle (family Cantharidae). These beetles are an essential yet often overlooked part of many ecosystems, playing a significant role in pollination.

What Are Soldier Beetles?

Soldier beetles are named for their striking appearance. They are usually brightly colored, often with a combination of red, yellow, or orange hues, and a black or dark brown body. These beetles are part of the Cantharidae family, which includes over 3,000 species worldwide. While soldier beetles are best known for their predatory nature—feeding on pests like aphids, caterpillars, and other small insects—they also play a crucial role in pollination, contributing to the health and vitality of many flowering plants.

Soldier Beetles as Pollinators

Though they are primarily carnivorous, soldier beetles often visit…

Trying to sow and germinate native milkweed seeds can be very frustrating if not done properly. Many native milkweeds need to experience the conditions of winter and then the warmth of spring in order for them to germinate. Without this cold period, seeds may not germinate or may germinate poorly, so cold stratification is often a crucial step when growing these plants in areas where winter conditions differ from their native habitat. Or, when trying to germinate seeds outside of the current outdoor season.

Milkweed plants and seeds are winter dormant. Without experiencing cold temperatures followed by warm temperatures, the seeds will remain dormant. Most native milkweeds require this cold period. Asclepias perennis is one of the few exceptions.

So how can we have luck germinating milkweed seeds?

The first and easiest option is to collect seeds throughout the summer and then store them in a dark dry location outside. Some…

What is Cold Stratification?

Cold stratification is a process used to mimic the natural winter conditions that some seeds need to break dormancy and germinate. Certain plants, especially native species, require exposure to cold temperatures for a period of time before they will sprout. Cold stratification helps to simulate these environmental conditions, making it an essential step for ensuring seed viability.

Why is Cold Stratification Important?

Many seeds, especially those of trees, wildflowers, and perennials, have evolved to survive harsh winters by going through a dormant period. In the wild, this dormancy is broken when the seed experiences cold, moist conditions that trigger internal changes necessary for germination.

In the world of ecology, plant species are often categorized based on their behavior and impact on the environment. Two common terms that can be confusing are "invasive" and "aggressive" plant species. While they may seem similar, they refer to different types of plant behaviors. Understanding the difference is important for gardeners, environmentalists, and anyone concerned with plant ecology. It is especially important in deciding what plants to add to to the local landscape. Here's a detailed breakdown of the two:

Invasive Plant Species

An invasive plant species is one that is non-native to a specific ecosystem and, when introduced, causes harm to the environment, economy, or human health. Invasive species typically spread rapidly and aggressively, outcompeting local or native plant species. Another consideration is the ability of a non-native species to be able to hybridize a native species.

Invasive plant species to Florida can be found on the Florida Invasive…

Let's face it. Floridians are no experts when it comes to handling cold temps. We are even less prepared on how to protect our landscapes from cold temps. It just doesn't happen very often. With the exception of some north Florida counties maybe. So let's talk about it.

It has been a much colder winter than we had last year. And we are getting a lot of questions on social media about how to tell if plants are being stressed from cold temperatures or by something else. So lets talk about it and down at the bottom, you will find a video I made showing you examples. I also spend a few minutes talking about the basics of microclimates and how they protect my plants from cold weather.

How Cold Affects Plants

Plants are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Cold weather can impact plants in several ways:

• Cellular Damage: Water within…