plants

Rebecca L. Jordi/Nassau County Extension -- A butterfly visits the Gaillardia , or blanket flower, plant at the Nassau County Demonstration Garden in Yulee. The brilliant flowers are attractive to butterflies, and the annual flowers normally will readily reseed themselves.

by Ginny Grupe

When I drive around Nassau County, I see numerous natural areas that some time ago were major habitats for wildlife. These habitats are being lost to urban development and sprawl.

Poinsettias can have a second life after the holidays as an accent plant or an informal flowering hedge.

During the holiday season our homes are filled with seasonal greenery and a riot of color provided by flowers and plants associated with the holidays. The three most popular holiday plants are the poinsettia, the Christmas cactus and the amaryllis. As the holidays begin to draw to a close, you can extend their holiday color by following these helpful hints.