If you’ve lived in Florida long enough, you learn that our growing calendar doesn’t behave like the rest of the country — and neither do our favorite plants. One of my absolute favorites is Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) — a tropical hibiscus that produces glossy red calyces used for teas, jams, syrups, and festive holiday drinks. … Read more
Most people are surprised to learn that North America has its very own native source of caffeine, and it isn’t coffee, black tea, or matcha. It’s yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), a humble evergreen shrub found along the Gulf Coast and throughout the Southeast. For thousands of years, Indigenous communities brewed yaupon leaves into a stimulating … Read more
Right now in central Florida, the thornless blackberry canes are blooming—soft white petals opening like tiny invitations to bees. Soon, the green berries will blush red and then ripen into deep, sweet black. But what many gardeners don’t realize is that this humble bramble offers more than just a summer snack. It’s a beautiful, medicinal … Read more
When we think of herbal medicine, we often picture tender garden herbs or wildflowers peeking up from the ground. But some of Florida’s most powerful plant allies are taller than you’d expect—rooted deep, blooming quietly, or offering fruit high above our heads. Here are a few medicinal shrubs and trees that are either blooming, fruiting, … Read more