Native Plant Network

06/02/2026

Hi everyone!

My name is Gianna DeNicholas, and I am this year’s Florida Wildflower Foundation Summer Fellow at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. A little about me: I’m a senior at FIU studying Environmental Science, a path that was inspired by my passion for protecting, respecting, and conserving the natural world.

These first three weeks of my internship have been amazing. I have already gotten to learn and experience more than I ever imagined. So far, I am learning the process of collecting, processing, growing, bulking, storing, and caring for a variety of native plants, both rare and common. I have also gotten to visit multiple Pine Rocklands and be a part of the conservation and restoration that must take place to protect these lands and their flora.

I’ll be updating you guys throughout my internship, so stay tuned for more!

💚

05/21/2026

04/22/2026

Every day is Earth Day in the Native Plant Network! Our membership of >2100 is gardening and planting as if life on earth depended on it — because it does. Native plants feed our local birds and butterflies and that feeds our souls. Thank you members, for 19 years of support, seeds, citizen science data, and hard work! Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at some of the people, plants, and critters that make up our network. 🌎 💚
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

04/16/2026

We just shared our April newsletter with our 2000+ member members and it’s all about Walter’s ground cherry (Physalis walteri). We’re interested in identifying what pollinates it, if anything, in urban gardens. This pretty little tomatillo relative is a staple in pine rocklands and also coastal systems in Miami. Interested in getting to know it better? It’s for sale on Fairchild‘s online plant store— a link to that is in our bio

03/06/2026

Earlier this week, 2nd graders from Joe Hall elementary joined us for a nature walk at Boystown pineland Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Preserve. Important lessons were learned and we had great fun! It’s always good to get out in the woods!!!

03/02/2026

JOIN US! Field Trip to the Underline with a special tour for NPN members, Saturday, March 7th, 9am to Noon

For the first two hours, we will help install The Underline’s first demonstration garden, which will highlight how native plants can enhance public spaces. This will be followed by a special tour for NPN led by the Underline Horticulturist. We will get to admire a part of this wonderful urban park filled with many native plant species.

Location: In Brickell (you’ll receive details once you register) Registration is required - send an email with the names of all attendees to [email protected] latest by Thursday, March 5. We will then send you detailed information and directions. This event is for NPN members and their families.

02/20/2026

📅 SAVE THE DATE! From our friends at the Dade Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society.

02/18/2026

This weekend will be beautiful to spend a little time, caring for mother nature in the town of Cutler Bay. If you haven’t seen this beautiful restoration site, you are missing out!

02/15/2026

Did you know there are two herbs native to South Florida that can be used in cooking? They are both mini-versions of a domesticated plant, but no less tasty:

🌶️ Bird pepper (Capsicum anuum var. glabrisculum)
🌿 Wild basil (Ocimum campechianum)

We hope to offer these species to our members later in the year but we need more seed!! If you can help, please message us.

Membership in NPN is free and available to anyone in Miami-Dade or Monroe County. Others can still join our mailing list. Reach out to [email protected] for membership inquiries.

01/26/2026

NPN merch is coming! Starting in February, we’ll have limited t-shirts and mugs available for sale. They’ll make a great gift to yourself or to a native plant-loving friend. Tshirts are lightweight,100% pre-shrunk combed ringspun cotton jersey. We will do in-person sales only, at our monthly plant distribution events. Email us beforehand ([email protected]) to find out what’s available. Mugs are $15, T-shirts $30.