UF/IFAS Extension
Charlotte County
Charlotte County Extension Service is a partnership between the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Charlotte County government, to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public.
Contact
charlotte@ifas.ufl.edu
941.764.4340
1120 Centennial Boulevard
Port Charlotte, FL 33953
A copperleaf of a different color
When you think of colorful foliage plants that you might add to your landscape, you may target crotons, coleus, or even caladiums. But what about the copperleaf? Copperleaf shrubs today come in a surprising array of colors and leaf shapes that simply pop in the landscape
09/14/2021
Variegation – St. Augustine style!
There are a plethora of variegated plants out in the gardening world that you may never have seen before. When a familiar green plant comes in a variegated form (white and green or cream and green), this change can jazz up its interest and maybe even cause it to be used it in a different, more ornamental planting arrangement
09/10/2021
What's Going on in Florida
Florida-Friendly Friday
Friday October 1, 2021
Centennial Park Recreation Center
1120 Centennial Blvd
Port Charlotte, FL 33953
Florida-FriendlyTM Friday is coming to UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. Join us for one class, two, or all three! What you do in your landscape matters
08/30/2021
The Rural Telehealth Initiative: Lowering Barriers to Health Care
For me, a visit to the doctor can be an inconvenience. Between fighting traffic, finding a parking spot, checking in and doing time in the waiting room, I usually have to carve out an hour or more of my day, all for about 15 minutes of quality time with the doctor
08/06/2021
The longan, cousin of the lychee
The longan tree is one of the few fruit trees producing a crop in August, so the small brown fruit are a welcome seasonal taste treat. A family member of the lychee, the longan tree is an attractive evergreen all by itself – the fruit is just an added bonus! Best grown in the warmer parts of Charlotte County or in noted microclimates, the longan may be something to try
09/08/2021
An orange-flowering tree in bloom now – the Geiger Tree
To continue the theme of orange-flowering woody plants from last week, let me introduce you to the Geiger tree or Cordia sebestena. In bloom right now with bright orange flower clusters, this medium-sized tree is ideally suited to coastal areas, not only due to the warmer temperatures required, but also because of its tolerance to salty and brackish conditions
08/24/2021
Our local crape myrtles look great this year!
Our crape myrtles have their good years and their less good years, but 2021 has been pretty good for this flowering tree in Charlotte County! Crape myrtle blooms are popping right now catching the eye in both residential landscapes and in public plantings. And while this woody flowering ornamental is deciduous and not a pretty winter sight, they can be memorable during the summer
08/16/2021
Have you spotted the leopard plant?
Somewhat new to our area, the perennial known as the leopard plant is an interesting selection that I first saw about six years ago. Besides large, attractive green leaves, the leopard plant also blooms and prefers shade to part-shade conditions
08/13/2021
