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
Hey, hey, its sweet bay!
As botanical names are always accurate, let’s start with what we are talking about in this article - Laurus nobilis – sometimes called bay or sweet bay – not to be confused with magnolias. This is the culinary herb obtained from a large shrub/medium-sized tree where the aromatic leaves are used for cooking
10/18/2021
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
What's Going on in Florida
COVID-19 and UF/IFAS Extension
Updated 03/16/20
As we continue to monitor COVID-19 in Florida, I wanted to take a moment to update our UF/IFAS Extension community about our current status, best practices and next steps.
Please call your local UF/IFAS Extension office or view the local update page for the most up to date information on your
03/15/2020
NFREC Quincy—100 Years of Service and Adaptation
It was the summer of 1978. I had just graduated with a BS degree in Agronomy from the Ohio State University
10/13/2021
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
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
