25 Years of Native Seed!

Everything begins with a seed.

For Florida’s native plants, that’s been the hardest part — and the story of changing that is one of science, partnership and the slow, patient work of building something from almost nothing.

Read more here.

Thanks to you, our $25 for 25 campaign is off to a fantastic start!

Help us keep the momentum going: Now through April 15, make a gift of $25 or more and receive a free packet of Leavenworth’s tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii) seeds — while supplies last.

It’s a simple way to celebrate 25 years while helping native wildflowers and pollinators thrive. Join us!

Donate here!

Get to Know Carolyn Schaag

Carolyn Schaag has been with the Foundation since its beginning and has been instrumental in its success.

Carolyn has served many roles, including representative for the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Treasurer and Education Committee member. Her story is an inspirational one that we are so excited to share!

Watch her brief biography here to learn more.

Spring Bloom Report

Meet the thistles, spiny but spectacular!

Our Spring Bloom Report is all about thistles — spiny but spectacular! While some people dismiss thistles because of their prickly nature — or write them off as mere “weeds” — many others appreciate their rugged beauty and surprising ecological value. Pollinators, in particular, absolutely love them.

Learn more here.

Photo: Cloudless sulphur on Purple thistle by Mary Keim

Florida Native Seed Partnership News

The Florida Native Seed Partnership is gaining momentum. Four subcommittees are now up and running — Education, Economics, Research and Wildland Seed Harvesting — and our partnership coordinator has been tapping into the broader National Native Seed Network, bringing fresh expertise and connections back home to Florida. The goal: ensure the Partnership’s long-term success.

To keep partners engaged, we launched our first quarterly bulletin earlier this month. Want to stay informed and get involved? Join the mailing list by emailing ARieman@FlaWildflowers.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Florida Wildflower & Garden Festival

We are thrilled to sponsor and participate in the 20th annual Florida Wildflower and Garden Festival — one of our favorite events of the year!

Join us on Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm in downtown Deland. This year, we’re especially excited that native plant-focused organizations will be located in a dedicated area of the festival. Be sure to stop by and visit us all!

Full details here.

Native Plant Giveaway!

In celebration of 25 years of wildflowers, we’ve teamed up with Florida Nursery Mart in Davie (Broward County) for a native plant giveaway on Saturday, April 11.

Get all the details here!

Wednesday, April 15, 2-3pm

More Than Wildflowers:

How Roadside Signs, Stories and People Shape Support for Pollinator-Friendly Roadsides

Presented by Dr. Laura Warner, University of Florida

Drawing on peer‑reviewed research on public perceptions and communication preferences, this talk explores public understanding and support for pollinator‑friendly roadsides.

Our annual Wildflower Farm Field Days are back on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, in Alachua County.

Join Terry Zinn to learn about wildflower cultivation and tour the beautiful spring blooms.

Click here for info on Saturday April 25

Click here for info on Sunday April 26

Florida Wildflower Foundation members can register for this field trip starting Friday, March 27. General registration opens Friday, April 3. Become a Florida Wildflower Foundation member today for early access!

Thursday, April 30

9am CST

Deer Lake State Park Wetlands Restoration

Walton County

Join us for a unique opportunity to tour the wetland restoration area in Deer Lake State Park. We’ll see many species of pitcherplants and be on the lookout for terrestrial orchids.

Florida Wildflower Foundation members can register for this field trip starting Thursday, April 2. General registration opens Thursday, April 9. Become a Florida Wildflower Foundation member today for early access!

Check out our calendar for a full listing of upcoming events across the state!

Members make a difference!

Thank you to all the members who joined or renewed in February. Your support helps create habitat in schools and urban areas, spread wildflowers on roadsides, and educate people of all ages about the importance of native plants and the pollinators that depend on them.

New Members

Frances England and Zach West, Jennifer and George Banks, Rochelle Williams, Autumn O'Shea, Barbara Stoia, Michelle Cartaya, Greg Hurd, Linda Smock, Joseph Woodruff, Dianne Battle, Roland Rouse, Gail LaFayette, Pamela Eutsler, Dianne Walsh, Pam Coleman, Alice Loya, Nancy and James Hollingsworth, Helena Sartor, Jennifer Daly, Crystal Robles, Alba Trejo, Samantha Rivera, Carol Matthews, Yanelis Jorge, Flavia Toniolo, Jarelyn Almanzar, Ashley Jones, Melany Flint, Maria Luisa Rojas, Marlui Rivas, Margarita Sanabria, Anna Ballinger, Joan Bruggink

Renewing Members

Mary Keim, Kelly and Don Tesiero, Rebecca Mango, Stephen Peffer, Janet Papazian, Gloria Vaughn, Lynne and James Byers, Marie Stiefel, Peter and Kim Connolly, Diane Bradley, Mary Heasley, Sheryl Bleiler, Robert Curtis, M'Adele Carson, Carol Bishop

Want to see your name on the list? Join Team Wildflower today!

Florida Wildflower Foundation | Website