The Florida Museum of Natural History will host its Spring Plant Sale April 21-23 at the UF Cultural Plaza in front of the museum. One of the largest of the year, the sale features more than 175 species of Florida and pollinator-friendly plants. Accent, host, native and nectar plants will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Florida Museum’s Butterfly Rainforest exhibit.
While most people, green thumb or not, likely know what native and nectar plants are, they may not be familiar with host and accent plants. Butterfly Rainforest Manager, Ryan Fessenden, explained that a host plant is a plant species that a given butterfly species needs to feed on as a caterpillar.
“Different species have different host plants,” Fessenden said. Every butterfly species has a specific plant that they eat as a caterpillar, like milkweed for monarchs.
An accent denotes a plant that is neither a nectar source nor a host plant. It’s just something that looks pretty, he said. “Accenting your landscape.”
Going Native: A Diverse Plant Habitat is a Healthy Habitat
Fessenden highlighted the importance of planting native and pollinator-friendly species at home, detailing how it benefits area wildlife and the environment.
“A healthy ecosystem has a variety of animals all across the spectrum of the food chain,” he said. “Butterflies and insects are an important part of that food chain. Insects and butterflies specifically are important pollinators both for our native plants and for crops. The more [natives and pollinators] you plant, the more variety that you offer, the more you’ll be able to support.”
They also serve as principal food sources for other wildlife, including birds.
“If you want to bring more diversity to your home habitat and to help support and diversify the ecosystem near your home and community, then you do that by diversifying the plants in your yard,” Fessenden said.
To attract butterflies, he suggests planting black-eyed Susans, goldenrods and blazing stars, which are spectacular nectar sources. To lure the state butterfly zebra longwing, Fessenden recommends planting native species of passion flowers.
For an avian-friendly habitat, Fessenden said yaupon holly produces beautiful red berries that birds love. Coral honeysuckle and firebush are great nectar sources for attracting hummingbirds, and both offer the ancillary benefit of enticing butterflies.
Rare finds and best sellers
Some noteworthy species that can be obtained at the Spring Plant Sale include Garberia, a rare endemic that occurs only in North and Central Florida and nowhere else in the world.
“It’s a highlight. It’s something that’s uniquely Florida and I take pride in having that available for this sale,” said Fessenden.
Milkweeds are always the most popular sellers, because people hope to attract monarch butterflies to their yard. Florida is home to 21 native species of milkweed, but the Spring Plant Sale typically carries three or four.
The sunshine mimosa is another plant that garners a lot of attention for having leaves that close when touched.
“Not only are they good nectar sources and great ground covers with cute little pink puff flowers, but they’re very fun to play with,” said Fessenden.
Fessenden oversees both the museums’ Spring and Fall Plant Sales. He emphasized that it is important to remember that once the supply of plants they have on the floor runs out, it is gone.
“Once we sell out of something, that’s it. Try to get there early on the first day if there’s something that you really want. Things can sell quickly.”
For a list of anticipated plants, visit floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shops/plants/biannual-sale/.
By Colin McCandless.