Lawn and Garden: Plants

A. J. Lindsey, Marco Schiavon, John L. Cisar, J. Bryan Unruh, andKevin E. Kenworthy

The lawn is an integral part of the landscape and provides many important benefits in our increasingly urbanized environment. A lawn not only elevates the land's aesthetic and economic value, but it also creates a recreational surface, controls erosion, filters pollutants, supplies oxygen, and decreases temperatures in urban settings. This publication is intended for Florida homeowners, landscape maintenance professionals, builders and developers, and Extension agents to help select the best turfgrass species for their situation. Florida turfgrasses vary widely in their adaptive abilities, so choose your turfgrass species wisely. This publication provides information and guidelines to assist in your selection.

Yuvraj Khamare andChris Marble

This new 10-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department is intended to inform home gardeners, pest management professionals, and other plant enthusiasts of some of the most common poisonous invasive plants or weed species common in home landscapes in Florida, with particular focus on species that could potentially cause harm if ingested. Written by Yuvraj Khamare and Chris Marble.

Teagan Young and Sandra B. Wilson

Rubiaceae, a family known for its economic and ornamental significance, includes several native Florida species, such as wild coffee (Psychotria spp.). This publication focuses on identifying and propagating wild coffee species: P. nervosa, P. nervosa 'Little Psycho', P. nervosa 'Turtle Mound', P. tenuifolia, and P. ligustrifolia. These species thrive in various soil conditions and attract pollinators, making them valuable, adaptable, and appealing for sustainable landscapes and Florida gardens. Research on propagation methods revealed that while physiological dormancy makes seed germination challenging, softwood cuttings treated with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) showed high success rates in rooting. The publication outlines a production schedule, recommending specific substrates and misting techniques to optimize root development. It provides critical insights into enhancing the availability and cultivation of wild coffee species, promoting their use in Florida-friendly landscapes.

Yuvraj Khamare and Chris Marble

In this rapidly urbanizing world, landscape plants serve as a convenient pathway for individuals to engage with nature. Due to Florida's subtropical climate, a vast array of diverse plant species is commonly used in home landscapes. However, it is important to note that many landscape plants can be toxic if consumed, posing risks to small children, pets, and even livestock such as cattle, horses, or sheep. These plant species can still be utilized in the landscape, but it is important to understand which species are toxic to prevent accidental exposure, particularly in environments where small children or pets could inadvertently come into contact with them. This EDIS publication informs home gardeners, pest management professionals, and other plant enthusiasts of some of the most common plants in home landscapes in Florida, focusing particularly on poisonous species that could potentially cause harm if ingested.