Sandra Wilson

• University of Florida

Seed propagation is the primary means of reproducing many native and endemic species, including garberia [Garberia heterophylla (W. Bartram) Merrill & F. Harper]. This attractive pollinator plant, native to Florida, is scarcely found in nursery production and largely unknown to the gardening community. To better understand the seed biology of garbe...

Porterweed plants ( Stachytarpheta sp.), notably the nettleleaf porterweed ( Stachytarpheta cayennensis ), present both ecological benefits and challenges. While these plants attract diverse pollinators and are drought-resistant, nettleleaf porterweed is also an invasive species in the southeastern United States and Hawaii, threatening native ecosy...

Pollinator gardening has gained momentum with an increased consumer interest in selecting native rather than non-native plant species to reduce water dependence and maximize the biodiversity value in both public greenspaces and residential gardens. Native plant species can enhance biological control and benefit ecosystems and wildlife. Often, they...

In recent years, breeding initiatives have been made to reduce the fecundity of invasive plants leading to sterile cultivars. The wildtype form of heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica Thunb. (Berberidaceae) and seven cultivars were evaluated for landscape performance, fruit production and seed viability at three sites in Florida located in southwest,...

Exposure to pesticides is one potential factor contributing to the recent loss of pollinators and pollinator diversity. Few studies have specifically focused on the relationship between pesticide management during ornamental plant production and contamination of nectar. We evaluated contamination of nectar in Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’ ( Salvia longisp...

Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) has escaped cultivation in 20 states in the USA and is classified as a noxious weed in Florida, where its use is prohibited. There is confusion among producers and consumers surrounding the invasive status of its cultivars. In Florida, cultivars of an invasive wildtype species are also invasive unless proven other...

An online application called BeeGardens was developed for users to quickly access over 85 bee-friendly plants that attract 12 primary bee groups and ways to incorporate these into different landscape designs. The functionality and usefulness of the app was evaluated by students enrolled in two courses: Florida Native Landscaping or Annual and Peren...

The newly released “Plant This Not That: A Guide to Avoiding Invasive Plant Species in Florida” booklet emerges as a crucial tool in cultivating a comprehensive understanding of invasive species, facilitating informed decision-making in plant selection. Its unique focus on illustrating alternatives to invasive plants, coupled with its accessible fo...

Sandhill milkweed [ Asclepias humistrata (Walter)] is important for monarch butterfly [ Danaus plexippus (L.)] conservation efforts, yet precise cultivation practices are largely not available. We tested the effects of three fertilizer rates and four substrate types and four container types on the performance of sandhill milkweed during greenhouse...

The ornamental horticulture industry has long been significant in its vast economic contributions to the US agricultural sector, with Florida ranking second in nursery and greenhouse plant sales. A small proportion of introduced plants eventually escape cultivation and become invasive, leaving fragile ecosystems at risk. In response, a series of pr...

Gulf vervain ( Verbena xutha ) is a herbaceous perennial native to the southern United States. The species produces attractive spike inflorescences that provide a source of food for many pollinators. Besides botanical classifications, pollen morphology and cytological traits of this species have not been documented until now. Gulf vervain was found...

Consumer demand for novel, visually attractive ornamentals has often overshadowed the functional value plants may provide for flower-visiting insects. As native and nonnative species are hybridized for form, color, flowering, and disease resistance, it is important to assess whether some of these alterations influence plant nutrient quality for for...

Diverse floral resources impart immense value for pollinating insects of all types. With increasing popularity and demand for modern ornamental hybrids, cultivation by breeders has led to selection for a suite of traits such as extended bloom periods and novel colors and forms deemed attractive to the human eye. Largely understudied is pollinator p...

Coastalplain honeycombhead ( Balduina angustifolia ) is underutilised in ecosystem restoration and pollinator conservation projects. Seeds collected from different populations throughout Florida, USA during 2007 and 2016-2018 were used in experiments that evaluated the effects of a 0 or 12-hour photoperiod, seasonal and standard temperatures, 0-5,0...

Over the course of nearly 2 decades, the resident or wild-type form of heavenly bamboo ( Nandina domestica ) and 25 additional selections have been evaluated for landscape performance and invasive potential in various trial locations in Florida. Overall, in northern Florida (Quincy and Citra), ‘Royal Princess’, ‘Umpqua Chief’, ‘Gulf Stream’, ‘Monfa...

Porterweed ( Stachytarpheta spp.), a member of the verbena family, is frequently used in pollinator gardens to attract butterflies. This study was conducted to assess the morphological features, pollen stainability and morphology, nuclear DNA content, and chromosome number of five porterweed selections. Coral porterweed ( S . mutabilis ), ‘Naples L...

Minor Revision. Ruellia simplex (Mexican bluebell, Mexican petunia, or Britton's wild petunia) is an herbaceous perennial (USDA Hardiness Zone 8–11) in the family Acanthaceae. Five species of Ruellia are native to Florida, and three non-native species are listed as naturalized in the state, including R. simplex (Wunderlin et al. 2019). There has be...

Trailing lantana [ Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq.] is a low-growing, woody ornamental valued for its heat and drought tolerance and repeat blooming of purple or white flowers throughout much of the year. In 2011, trailing lantana was predicted to have high invasion risk by the UF-IFAS’s assessment of non-native plants in Florida, and therefo...

As land-use patterns change over time, some pollinating insects continue to decline both in abundance and diversity. This is due, in part, to reductions in floral resources that provide sufficient nectar and pollen. Our overall goal is to help increase the use of plants that enhance pollinator health by providing research-based information that is...

Trailing lantana ( Lantana montevidensis ) is a popular low-growing ornamental plant valued for its heat and drought tolerance and continuous purple or white flowering throughout much of the year. Recently, trailing lantana was predicted to be invasive by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) Assessment of...

Some ornamental plants important to the nursery and landscape industries escape cultivation, spread to natural areas, and become invasive, outcompeting native plants in those ecosystems. Development of sterile cultivars of these problematic species can be one way to continue their sales yet limit their invasive potential and protect natural areas....

QuestionPlanting or seeding native species after control of invasive species can limit re-invasion and hasten establishment of native species. Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) invades floodplain forests in Florida, and is controlled with glyphosate herbicide. Will herbicide application used to control this weed allow establishment of native vegeta...

Active revegetation with select native species may limit reinvasions, yet little is known about the critical stage of initial competition during revegetation with direct seeding efforts. Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) is a commonly planted ornamental known for establishing monotypic invasions along floodplains in the southeastern United States....

Invasive species have detrimental ecosystem impacts in that they reduce biodiversity and alter ecosystem function. They also have considerable economic impacts. While the scale of the problem is well-documented, there is less research concerning applied invasive plant control. This is problematic for managers who need to not only reduce invasive sp...

Ornamental grasses are becoming more popular in many areas of the United States due to their ability to survive low-input landscaping conditions. As part of the National Ornamental Grass Trials initiated in 2012, Panicum virgatum and Schizachyrium scoparium cultivars were evaluated at the University of Florida, Florida Research and Education Center...

Environmental tolerance, abundant seed production, and an ability to easily grow from plant stem sections have allowed Mexican petunia to spread into natural areas that border urban areas. The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council lists Mexican petunia (wild-type and non-sterile cultivars) as a Category 1 invasive species, meaning that it is “altering...

Active revegetation with native species may be one method to limit reinvasion of invasive plants, but methods for this approach are under researched. To explore this issue, we researched invasions of Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex), a commonly planted ornamental known for invading natural areas throughout the southeastern United States. Mexican p...

Rising costs of container substrates and increased interest in use of native wildflowers for landscapes necessitates the continued evaluation of production methods. The composition of a container substrate can directly affect not only propagation success but also future growth, development, and establishment. Thus, a number of container substrates...

Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 5-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invas...

Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 3-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Central Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respecti...

Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 3-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invas...

Lantana camara plants are valued for their bright flower color, butterfly attraction, tolerance to harsh environmental conditions, low maintenance requirements, and ease of propagation and production. But many existing varieties can be weedy or invasive when grown in tropical and subtropical regions. So, in 2004, UF/IFAS started a program to develo...

Distance education is growing at a rate more than 10 times that of traditional higher education. Nearly one-quarter of faculty responding to a recent nationwide survey are reportedly teaching online; over one-third have taught an online course in the past, and the majority of those responding cited the needs of students as the main reason for teach...

Ruellia simplex (also known as R. brittoniana, or Mexican petunia) has profuse flowering and low maintenance requirements, and is a popular landscape plant in Southern U.S. However, this introduced plant has escaped cultivation and become invasive in natural areas in Florida and other Southern states. Currently ‘Purple Showers’ with tall habit and...

Increased use of native wildflowers for landscapes supports the need for effective propagation, production and establishment methods. Over the years, a number of containerized media substrates have been developed for improved drainage, root distribution and plant growth. Coastalplain honeycombhead (Balduina angustifolia), Florida scrub roseling (Ca...

Largeleaf jointweed (Polygonella macrophylla), October flower (Polygonella polygama), and sandhill wireweed (Polygonella robusta) are wildflowers that exhibit good form and showy flower displays within their natural growing environments. To broaden production and landscape use when seed is not available, asexual propagation has been explored as a p...

Nandina (Nandina domestica), a popular plant in the landscape, has escaped cultivation in the southeastern United States and Hawaii. As prolific seed production is the primary determinant of nandina's invasive potential, reducing seed production would lessen, or even eliminate, the invasiveness of this plant. The most widely used genetic approach t...

A traditional Florida Native Landscaping Course (ORH3815/5815C) taught onsite in Fort Pierce, Florida was partially converted for web-based delivery. To support this transition, three interactive instruments were developed for students to (1) test their plant identification knowledge, (2) associate landscape performance with native ecosystem charac...

Numerous assessment tools have been developed with varying intent, scope and criteria in response to the significant negative economic and environmental impacts of invasive plants on natural areas and agriculture. Florida’s favorable climate and abundant tourism, agriculture and population foster introduction and escape of non-native plants. The Un...

Sales and use of shrub roses have increased dramatically but information on performance in Florida is lacking, especially under low maintenance conditions. Twelve shrub roses were chosen based on availability and reported plant performance in Florida and Texas. Clonally propagated, own root cultivars were obtained as bare root plants or in #1 con...

Background/Question/Methods Roads are a ubiquitous part of our landscape, yet they often cause habitat fragmentation and may provide dispersal corridors for non-native species. To minimize negative effects of roads, vegetation managers increasingly plant native species and manage for wildlife on roadsides. However, native plant establishment may...

Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) have widely naturalized throughout the southeast United States, dominating the understory of mesic forests and displacing native plant communities. Both are serious environmental weeds in Australia and New Zealand. In Florida, chinese privet and glossy privet have escaped cult...

ENH1158, a 3-page illustrated fact sheet by Gary W. Knox and Sandra B. Wilson, describes this noninvasive selection of nandina, a short, dense, low-growing, evergreen shrub effective as a groundcover — ornamental characteristics, uses, culture, and history. Includes additional sources of information. Published by the UF Department of Environmental...

Nettleleaf porterweed ( Stachytarpheta cayennensis ) is a potentially invasive ornamental plant in Florida. Plant growth, visual quality, flowering, and seed viability were assessed for nettleleaf porterweed and eight closely related alternatives planted in northern and southern Florida. In northern Florida, ‘Mario Pollsa’ porterweed ( Stachytarphe...

Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta urticifolia) has been classified as a Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) Category II invasive. The native porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) and its closely related species may offer possible landscape alternatives to blue porterweed. Eight selections of porterweed were planted in north and south Fla., a...

Plant growth, visual quality, flowering, and seed production were assessed for 10 fountain grass (Pennisetum) cultivars planted in northern and southern Florida. All fountain grass cultivars except Rubrum Dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and Red Buttons fountain grass (Pennisetum messiacum) achieved flower ratings of 3 to 5 in both locati...

Plant growth, visual quality, flowering, and seed production were assessed for 10 fountain grass ( Pennisetum ) cultivars planted in northern and southern Florida. All fountain grass cultivars except Rubrum Dwarf fountain grass ( Pennisetum setaceum ) and Red Buttons fountain grass ( Pennisetum messiacum ) achieved flower ratings of 3 to 5 in both...

Two different plant growth regulators were applied to 'Torch Flame' blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella) and a native blanketflower ecotype to reduce pedicel elongation and final production size. Uniconazole was applied as a spray at 60, 120, and 180 mg·L-1 or as a drench at 6, 12, and 24 mg·L-1 one and two times per plant. Ethephon was applied as...

Home region failed to provide any clear short-term improvement in plant growth, vigor, flowering, quality, or survival of Gaillardia pulchella Foug. (Asteraceae; firewheel) when plants derived from natural populations in east Texas, northeast Florida, central west Florida, central east Florida, and southeast Florida were grown under low-input lands...

Containerized Gaillardia pulchella Foug. derived from seed of natural populations in east Texas (ET), northeast Florida (NEF), central west Florida (CWF), central east Florida (CEF), and southeast Florida (SEF) were transplanted in early April to field sites located in northwestern, northern central, and southeastern Florida. During the 22-week stu...

University of Florida's Department of Environmental Horticulture offers undergraduate and graduate courses at seven locations throughout the state. To ensure students have access to a sufficient variety of classes, many courses are delivered by distance education. Distance education has significantly expanded student enrollment while unifying lectu...

Home region failed to provide any clear short-term improvement in plant growth, vigor, flowering, quality, or survival of Gaillardia pulchella Foug. (Asteraceae; firewheel) when plants derived from natural populations in east Texas, northeast Florida, central west Florida, central east Florida, and southeast Florida were grown under low-input lands...