Butterflies and Blossoms FL

06/11/2026

I started this project to gain a little more pathway space and make maintenance easier.

What I didn’t expect was the time it would give me to think.

Brick by brick, I let go of frustrations, sorted through my thoughts, and found a little peace.

Gardening has always been more than plants for me—it’s one of the ways I reset, reflect, and regulate.

Sometimes the garden grows us, too.

06/10/2026

POV: I’m over here not mowing or watering my lawn this summer... 🌸

Meanwhile, my Sunshine Mimosa is doing exactly what it was designed to do—thriving in the Florida heat, feeding pollinators, and staying green without demanding constant attention.

Sometimes the best lawn isn't a lawn at all.

Less mowing. Less watering. More blooms. More butterflies. More life.

This is what working with nature instead of against it looks like.

06/09/2026

WE'RE BACK from the black hole of downed websites. Both FANN.org and PlantRealFlorida.org are up and running, but in full restoration mode, so expect weirdness. Those of you who are fans of the sites, please watch for a user survey coming so we can begin planning our nextgen website(s). Thanks for your concern and patience. HUGE SHOUT OUT to Scott Robertson at Wacky Eagle Tech in Nevada for making the magic happen.

06/09/2026

The heat and sun is no joke in the summer months in Florida. Staying hydrated and protecting yourself from heat issues is very important if you’re going to spend any length of time outdoors.

3 tips for avoiding heat issues:

1. Hydration - water alone is not enough. Electrolytes are a must.
2. Big hats to keep your head cool!
3. Take breaks and work smart. Sunny areas early and shady spots later in the day.

It’s easy to deplete your body and it happens quickly. Heat exhaustion is not fun!

What are your tips for staying hydrated in the heat?

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

These are the 5 flowers I would plant in my Florida garden for summer long color.

I’m in zone 10a but these will work anywhere in Florida or in hot climates.

1. Dipladenia - these are addictive and they are super easy!
2. Gomphrena - cute little ping pong flowers that withstand the heat.
3. Caladiums- okay not a flower but provides a lot of color without a lot of fuss.
4. Seaside ageratum (native) - this one completely surprised me how much I love.
5. Purslane - so drought tolerant and fills in spaces with darling little flowers!

Keep following for more tips on how to keep your Florida summer garden beautiful during heat!

06/06/2026

Everyone asks how I work outside in the Florida sun all day. The answer isn’t sunscreen...

As a landscape designer, I spend hours working in the Florida sun. I’ve learned that protecting your skin starts before you ever step outside.

This wide-brim hat from Farmers Defense has become one of my favorite pieces of gardening gear.

It keeps the sun off my face, neck, and ears, helps me stay cooler, and gives me one less thing to worry about while I’m focused on creating beautiful landscapes.

Do you wear a hat when you’re gardening?

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

In case you didn’t know, rinsing your birdbaths is super important for the health of the birds but also you!

Birds don’t like to take a bath or drink from a dirty bird bath. It’s not good for their health.

But also mosquito larvae will be in sitting water if it isn’t rinsed daily! In Florida mosquitos are legit and not something fun you want to have swarming around you while outside.

Just dump the water and freshen it up every day or every other day.