This Weeks Gardening News!

Florida's warm climate offers a diverse range of plants that attract and support bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. These plants are easy to grow, vital to our native environment and can help you create a welcoming habitat Make sure you add some of them to your backyard garden. They will bring new life to your garden and give you joy in watching these creatures pollinate your plants. Milkweed will always bring the Monarch Butterflies as they are both a nectar and a host plant. 

1. Bee Balm: This native perennial produces colorful blooms that attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. It's easy to grow and thrives in Florida's climate.

2. Lantana: Lantana is a popular choice for attracting butterflies with its clusters of vibrant flowers. It's also drought-tolerant and grows well in Florida gardens.

3. Firebush: This native shrub produces tubular red-orange flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It's well-suited to Florida's climate and can thrive in both sun and partial shade.

4. Milkweed: As the primary host plant for monarch butterflies, milkweed is essential for their survival. Several species of milkweed are native to Florida and provide nectar for adult butterflies while serving as a food source for monarch caterpillars.

5. Salvia: Salvias are known for their long-lasting blooms and ability to attract pollinators. Many species are native to Florida and provide nectar for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

6. Passionflower: Passionflowers are popular with butterflies, particularly the Gulf fritillary, whose larvae feed on the leaves. They produce intricate flowers that attract both pollinators and gardeners alike.

7. Coreopsis: These cheerful, daisy-like flowers are native to Florida and attract bees and butterflies with their bright colors and abundant nectar.

8. Blanket Flower: With its vibrant red and yellow blooms, blanket flower is a favorite of butterflies and bees. It's drought-tolerant and thrives in Florida's sunny conditions. 

Self-Propagating Plants in Florida

These plants are known to come up year after year.

Self-propagating plants are those that readily reproduce and spread without human intervention. In the list provided, some plants are more likely to self-propagate than others. 

1. Milkweed is known for its ability to self-propagate through seeds. Once established, it can spread readily in the garden, attracting monarch butterflies.

2. Lantana: Lantana can self-propagate through seeds, especially in favorable conditions. It's considered somewhat invasive in some regions due to its ability to spread easily.

3. Firebush: Firebush can produce seeds that may result in new plants, although it may not spread as aggressively as some other species.

4. Passionflower: Some species of passionflower can self-seed, particularly if conditions are favorable. However, they may not spread as readily as other plants.

5. Coreopsis: Some species of coreopsis can self-seed and spread in the garden, particularly in areas with well-drained soil and ample sunlight.

Dr. Grace Healey

Jun 10, 2024 7:51 AM