Growing Knowledge: Teaching Residents Plant Selection Through Educational Demonstration Gardens
Natural Resources/Aquaculture
Tiare Silvasy
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Extension Agent
UF/IFAS Extension
Orlando
Abstract
Native plant demonstration gardens serve as valuable educational tools, helping residents explore unfamiliar plant species while providing essential information for informed plant selection. These gardens offer hands-on learning experiences that enhance understanding of native plants and their role in landscaping. Between January 2023 and December 2024, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County collaborated to establish or improve four educationally focused native plant demonstration gardens. Each garden features informative signage with QR codes linking to UF/IFAS publications and Florida Native Plant Society resources, supporting self-directed learning for visitors. The demonstration gardens are located at the Bay Friendly Landscaping site at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County office, as well as at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, Bell Creek Nature Preserve, and Carrollwood Village Park. To assess the gardens' educational impact, surveys were distributed both by email and in person during garden workdays. Among 22 respondents, 91% reported an increased appreciation for native plants after visiting the gardens. Additionally, 100% indicated they plan to plant native species in their home landscapes, and 81% confirmed they had already done so as a direct result of their visit. Visitors praised the visual learning experience, with one participant commenting, “It was helpful to see the plants in a natural setting in different states of flowering/growth.” These results highlight the success of the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County native plant demonstration gardens in promoting native plant awareness and adoption. The findings underscore the value of these gardens as impactful educational resources that inspire residents to embrace sustainable landscaping practices.
Authors: Tiare Silvasy
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Tiare Silvasy Residential Horticulture Agent II, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, Florida, 33584