UF IFAS Extension Alachua County Master Gardeners

06/10/2026

Easy to grow and tough as nails, black-eyed Susan is a sunny-colored wildflower that is salt- and drought-tolerant. An ecoregion keystone.

One of the nine Rudbeckia species native to Florida, black-eyed Susan is the most commonly grown of the species in landscapes and is perfect for butterfly gardens.

The plant forms a mound of foliage topped with a bright display of flowers characterized by brown centers surrounded by red, orange, yellow, or golden petals.

Black-eyed Susan seeds can be planted directly in the garden or you can buy small plants. Choose a sunny, well-drained location in the spring. The flowers will develop ten to fourteen weeks after the seed is planted, and should persist throughout the summer while other plants wilt.

Deadhead, or remove, faded blossoms to prompt more profuse blooming. Black-eyed Susans also make great cut flowers.

“Uncover the origins, growing conditions, and importance of native species, like the black-eyed Susan, to support our environment and conserve resources.” by Julia Sirchia https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pascoco/2024/06/04/native-series-black-eyed-susan/

UF IFAS File also printable PDF
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP512

Florida’s Asters
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/asters.html

Photos: Close up of flower with my hand Carolina Madera, flower profile (a side) with my hand, “how it looks like the first year in spring as roots grow stronger & how spindly it looks like in September” at my friend’s Stephen Hunter homestead. 🌼RIP my veteran friend who freely gave of his time saving millions of seeds for Alachua County Library District and many organizations; you’re missed yet your flowers live on…

Photo with butterfly by Florida Wildflowers Foundation.

Field of Susans by Bird & Crawford CEO Mike. His company’s website BirdForesty com serving Texas & LA for hunting, logging, wildlife, burning…

06/10/2026

Pruning your trees in preparation for hurricanes.

06/10/2026

Before taking action check our state’s troubleshooting turfgrass flowchart ⬇️

06/10/2026

Free in Eustis, Fl aprox 1 hour 45 minutes from SW Gainesville FL.

We’re excited to welcome Tatiana Sanchez-Jones, DPM to the June 17 Symposium, presenting: Paper Mulch: Insights and Current Understanding.
As a Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent with UF/IFAS in Alachua County, Tatiana supports fruit, vegetable, and nut producers with practical solutions for nutrient, water, pest, and disease management. Her work focuses on sustainable practices that protect natural resources while helping growers succeed.
Through her leadership in farmer education, integrated pest management, and training programs, Tatiana plays a key role in advancing resilient, environmentally responsible agriculture across Florida.

Join us to learn more about innovative approaches like paper mulch and their role in sustainable production systems.

📅 June 17th
🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-stronger-together-organic-farming-solutions-tickets-1987654054784

06/10/2026

Native hibiscus 🌺 in bloom.

Two native hibiscus you might find in bloom this month are scarlet rosemallow (pictured) and swamp mallow. These shrubs make excellent specimens in the landscape with their large, inviting flowers. For more information about growing hibiscus, take a look at this UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions article https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/hibiscus/

06/10/2026

Wildflower Wisdom:
"We're bringing back the 'flower' in what Ponce de Leon called La Florida in 1513."
- Lisa Roberts, Florida Wildflower Foundation
📷Emily Bell: Hummingbird and spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata)

🌸Be it along roadsides, in school gardens, public demonstration meadows, and more we're bringing them back.

🌸This year marks a major milestone for the Florida Wildflower Foundation: 25 years of advocating for Florida’s native wildflowers. To honor that legacy — and to look boldly toward what comes next — we’re launching $25 for 25, a year-long celebration built around community, storytelling and impact.

🌸Check it out: www.FlaWildflowers.org/25-for-25/

06/10/2026

Join us at Alachua County Library branches! During each Storm Ready Storytime session, Emergency Management staff will read Henry and the Hurricane by Brittany Perkins Castillo and engage children in interactive activities that make emergency preparedness fun and accessible. Participants will decorate their own safety kits, learn about severe weather safety, and discover simple ways their families can prepare for hurricanes and other emergencies.

"Hurricane preparedness starts with the whole family," said Alachua County Emergency Management Director Jen Grice. "Storm Ready Storytime combines literacy, crafts, and emergency preparedness activities to help children learn important safety lessons while giving parents and caregivers practical information they can use to prepare their households for the season ahead."

The program will be offered at all library branches throughout Alachua County during June:

-Library Partnership Branch – June 9, 2026, at 12:30 p.m.
-High Springs Branch – June 10, 2026, at 3 p.m.
-Archer Branch – June 10, 2026, at 11 a.m.
-Hawthorne Branch – June 11, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
-Waldo Branch – June 13, 2026, at 11 a.m.
-Cone Park Branch – June 13, 2026, at 2 p.m.
-Tower Road Branch – June 16, 2026, at 3 p.m.
-Alachua Branch – June 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
-Millhopper Branch – June 22, 2026, at 3 p.m.
-Micanopy Branch – June 23, 2026, at 3 p.m.
-Headquarters Library – June 26, 2026, at 11 a.m.
-Newberry Branch – June 26, 2026, at 3 p.m.

The program is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to attend the session most convenient for them.

Residents can also stay informed during hurricane season by signing up for emergency alerts through Alachua County Ready. Text ALACHUA to 888-777 to receive emergency notifications and preparedness information.

For more information about Storm Ready Storytime, visit the Alachua County Library District events page at https://attend.aclib.us/events?term=storm&r=range&start=2026-06-01&end=2026-06-30 or contact Alachua County Emergency Management at 352-264-6500.

Facebook events to remind you below 👇🏽of events left.

06/08/2026

Plant A Kitchen Garden for June
🌿 Basil: . Pinch off the flower heads to keep the leaves tasting sweet and prevent the plant from going to seed.
🌿 Mexican Tarragon: It produces small yellow flowers and loves full sun. Delicious, too!
🌿 Rosemary: Once established, this hardy perennial evergreen shrub handles the heat
🌿 Mint: Another favorite but best grown in containers so it doesn't take over your garden.
🌿 Chives, Oregano, & Thyme can also do well in summer.
All like morning light. Shield from hot afternoon sun.

Thank you 😊 Gainesville Garden Club, Alachua County Library District branches, volunteers that sort & fill seeds, and patrons that donate seeds to our community.

06/05/2026

A New Groundcover Appeal
Taylor’s Florida-Friendly Favorites #2 of 4

”Another beautiful groundcover is Fogfruit (Phyla nodiflora), which is also known as Turkey Tangle or Frogfruit. This time of year you will see this Florida native showing-off it’s small purplish-white flowers. Many homeowners view this as a turfgrass w**d, but in fact, it is a wonderful groundcover that can add any appeal to a landscape. Fogfruit grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers to well-drained to partially drained soils, but does like regular moisture. This can be used a low-growing groundcover, in some cases as an alternative to turfgrass. Do not be surprised if you find multiple caterpillar species munching on Fogfruit. It is an important host plant for a few different butterfly species.”

Find at UF Native Plant Nursery sale June 27th & 28th from 9am to 1pm 2026

Diversify the Landscape: Unique Groundcovers
https://web.archive.org/web/20240606040655/http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/alachuaco/2020/05/25/diversify-the-landscape-unique-groundcovers/