Passionflower Chapter

On November 14^th restoration ecologist, botanist, and horticulturist Nancy Bissett shared her knowledge about Grasses, Sedges and Rushes with Passionflower members and supporters. Nancy explained how these attractive and useful native plants have a lot to recommend them - they provide structure and an interesting accent in wildflower gardens, make a great groundcover in open, dry areas, are low maintenance, stabilize soil, provide seeds and shelter for wildlife, and many are larval hosts for butterflies and moths. Most attendees were familiar with pink muhly grass; however Nancy described and showed gorgeous pictures of a lot of other species.  You can watch the recorded Grasses, Sedges and Rushes program.

Clasping Warea (Warea amplexifolia) is a delicately beautiful, endangered plant endemic to sandhill habitat in Central Florida.  Only eight populations of this species remain in Marion, Lake, Polk and Osceola counties.  One of those populations is at the Warea Tract in Clermont where Passionflower members joined volunteers from FNPS, Forest Service, and other organizations to conduct a census. 

Feeling the need to get out from behind our computers and see our fellow native plant enthusiasts (even if in a parking lot and masked), we had a Trunk or Treat Plant Adoption event for Native Plant Month.  Over 100 plants grown by our members were given away free to help members and supporters keep busy in their gardens without impacting their budgets.  Thanks especially to our awesome event staffers and plant donors: David Biega, Karin Biega, Diane Roesch, Pam Adams, Denise Palermo, Dot Rogers, Kirsten Sharp-Ortega, Donna Bingaman, and Kathy Peres.

The Passionflower Chapter was honored to host Valerie Anderson, FNPS Communications Director, presenting an online program to answer the question "What Does FNPS Do?"  Valerie talked about initiatives in the five areas FNPS focuses on: Conservation, Land Management, Education, Policy, and Research including how FNPS funds and supports conservation projects, the acquisition, restoration, and management of conservation lands, research into rare and endangered native plants, and lobbying.  With  partners and supporting organizations, FNPS has a lot going on to preserve, conserve, and restore Florida's native plants and native plant communities! 

Watch the recorded program to learn more about What Does FNPS Do?

On August 19^th, over 65 people met online to hear FWC’s Northeast Region biologist, Samantha Cobble, talk about gopher tortoises.  Samantha educated the group about gopher tortoise biology and behaviors, showed some videos (including one following a tortoise into its burrow), explained how we can help gopher tortoises (including by planting the native plants they need to supply the vitamins and nutrition they need to stay healthy), and answered a lot of questions.

If you missed the program or want to see it again, watch the Gopher Tortoise Program recording.

Download the Northeast Region Gopher Tortoise Plant List to learn about forage plants.

Visit the FWC website for more information and plant lists from other regions.

Janine Griffiths, a landscape designer and owner of GreenThumb,Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, entertained and informed Passionflower members and supporters on July 22^nd with her Weedology presentation.  She covered a lot of ground including the history of weeds, weeding techniques and tools, and weeding psychology.  Her practical Weeding Wisdom:

• Removing weeds by hand is always more effective than with chemicals.
• Pull weeds when they are seedlings, before they flower and disperse seeds or deadhead them before they go to seed.
• Pull weeds out by their roots – gently, but firmly so you get the whole root.
• Know what kind of weed you are removing so you can use the right technique.
• Think of weeding as therapy – a mindful opportunity to get to know your garden and plants.
• There is no such thing as a weed-free garden, just a weed-controlled garden.

For weed identification Janine recommended several resources including a free guide which you can download along with the program handout from our Resources page. 

If you missed the program, there's a recording Weedology 101 Recording.

Susan Knapp, one of the founding members of the FNPS Passionflower Chapter, was presented with an award of appreciation at a plant rescue in Clermont on June 14^th.  Susan was instrumental in advocating for the name “Passionflower” as it was reflective of the passion members display for promoting and preserving native plants in addition to being the name of one of our most beautiful and beneficial natives.  Since the founding of the chapter Susan has worked tirelessly to support local chapter activities and served as Passionflower’s Chapter Representative, connecting with other chapters at state-wide Florida Native Plant Society meetings.  Susan is stepping back from the chapter to focus her passion on rescuing native plants and conservation initiatives across Central Florida.  She has certainly made a difference and Passionflower is grateful for her many contributions and dedication.

No one can predict the future; however, on May 6^th Brooke Moffis  Commercial Horticulture Agent from UF/IFAS Lake County Extension hosted a virtual program to give Passionflower members and supporters some insights into trends that could impact how landscapes are designed in the future.

Brooke touched on a number of trends that are showing up in magazines and marketing:  minimalistic design, geometric shapes, limited plant species, fewer colors, grouped mass plantings, automated mowers.  There is also great interest in bringing interior spaces outside (with outdoor seating and gathering areas) and the outdoors inside (with houseplants). Millennials in particular appear drawn to these inside-outside trends.

Many of these trends may make native plant enthusiasts cringe; however, there are also trends towards more nature-driven landscapes that give native plant people hope:  wooded, naturalistic lots, meadow lawns, butterfly gardens, backyard habitats, and edible landscapes.  The shift from lawn monocultures to embracing local ecosystems was highlighted by a video showing the transformation of a typical lot in the Villages to a space with native plant “rooms” connected by wandering curved paths. The use of natural materials such as stone, water features and bird houses to create interest in a garden was also discussed.

Water conservation will be important to Florida’s future, so a lot of research is going into turfgrass alternatives.  Brooke highlighted the development of new types of turfgrass requiring less water and fertilizer as well as being more pest-resistant, and the development of blended lawns (with mimosa, coreopsis, salvia lyrata and frogfruit) as an alternative to monoculture lawns.

Brooke’s presentation was interesting and thought-provoking.  The challenge for those of us into native plants is to figure out how to craft our message and fit native plants into the broader trends.  If we can encourage the practice of integrating landscapes with nature and the weaving of human needs with the needs of the environment we can help shape future trends.