Amelia’s Native Wildflowers

06/08/2026

Stokes Aster, Stokesia laevis
** A must have **
FL Native 8a-10b
Full-Part Sun
Moist - Dry Soil
Mildly Acidic - Neutral pH
🐝 Long Bloom Time for Pollinators

06/08/2026

ALL TREES MUST GO! Buy one, take a few! (Seriously, bring a truck)

This Saturday 6/13 from 10-2

PLANT NATIVE

06/05/2026

04/26/2026

Step 1: Identify the Invasive Species
Before taking action, confirm if the vines in your neighborhood are the invasive varieties. Use the visual cues from the guide to spot these "stranglers":

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica): Recognizable by its paired white and yellow flowers.

Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus): Identified by small clusters of orange berries and rounded leaves.

Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata): Look for distinctive, speckled berries in shades of blue, purple, and green.

Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis): Known for heavy, drooping purple clusters and very thick, woody vines that can crush structures.

English Ivy (Hedera helix): A dense, waxy green vine that climbs trees and walls, often blocking light from the host plant.

Step 2: Choose Your Native "Swap"
Match the invasive vine you have found with its ecologically friendly alternative to maintain the look of your garden while supporting local wildlife.

If you have this Invasive... Swap it for this Native...
Japanese Honeysuckle Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Oriental Bittersweet American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
Porcelain Berry Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Chinese Wisteria American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)
English Ivy Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)
Step 3: Removal and Replacement Process
Replacing these plants requires care to ensure the invasive species does not return.

Cut and Clear: Cut the invasive vines near the base. For heavy climbers like Wisteria or Ivy, leave the upper vines to die off naturally rather than pulling them down, which can damage tree bark or shingles.

Extract the Roots: Dig out the root balls entirely. Invasive species are resilient and can often regrow from small root fragments left in the soil.

Dispose Safely: Do not compost invasive vines, as seeds or fragments can survive and spread. Bag them and dispose of them according to your local waste regulations.

Prepare and Plant: Once the area is clear, plant your chosen native swap. These plants, like the Virginia Creeper or Crossvine, have evolved to live in balance with your local environment.

Monitor the Area: Check the site regularly for the next year. Pull any new sprouts from the invasive vine immediately to ensure the native plant has the space and resources to thrive.

Benefits of Native Swaps
Pollinator Support: Plants like Coral Honeysuckle are vital for hummingbirds and bees.

Autumn Interest: Virginia Creeper provides brilliant red foliage in the fall, offering more visual interest than many invasives.

Ecosystem Balance: Native plants provide food and shelter for local birds and insects without "strangling" the surrounding trees and shrubs.

04/24/2026

Reimagining “The Way It’s Always Been”
A conventional green lawn has its place with functional spaces to play, walk pets, or protect soil from erosion. But when turf covers the majority of a property, it can require more of your time and more water to maintain.

By rethinking where turf truly serves you and where alternative plantings can do more, you create a yard that is forward-thinking, feels familiar and is more akin to the natural spaces throughout Florida. You’re not leaving tradition behind; you’re helping it evolve for the future of Florida living.

Small steps can create big momentum:
✔ Transform one unused turf area into a thriving Florida-Friendly planting bed
✔ Where allowed, considered a mixed species lawn including drought-tolerant groundcovers
✔ Use targeted irrigation to water with intention
✔ Take it one phase at a time and honor the progress
Thoughtful landscapes grow over time and every small change counts.

Photos courtesy of S.P. Turnipseed

04/21/2026

04/06/2026

Welcome back 🐛

📸 Asclepias tuberosa, Butterfly Milkweed & A. perennis, Aquatic Milkweed

04/04/2026

Are you helping or harming Monarchs?