Home in Hernando

The sandhills of Hernando County are showy in fall in the Croom Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. Florida paintbrush (Carphephorus corymbosus) help paint the scene. 

It's natural to love Hernando County

The Hernando Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society shares information with citizens who are interested in learning about Florida's native plants, their ecosystems, and all aspects of biological diversity.

Together, we learn how landscaping with native plants has a minimal affect on the environment. By using native plants, chemicals are eliminated, maintenance is reduced, water is conserved, and habitat is provided for wildlife.

Plant enthusiasts become acquainted with plant species that make their home in Hernando, and the types of conditions they prefer.  Whether you best appreciate these plants in the natural landscape or the home landscape, we know you'll enjoy the Society. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, March  6, 2023  – 6:30 - 8:00 PM
South Brooksville Community Center
601 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601
Monthly Meeting and Public Program
Imported Invasive Plants of Hernando
by Heather Sharkey, Florida Forest Service, Chapter Representative to FNPS

Florida’s plants and animals depend upon biologically diverse plant communities for food and shelter. Invasive imported pest plants create monocultures, pushing everyone else aside. Several species now invade and disrupt native plant communities in Florida. It’s a deadly cover-up!


Here in Florida, without the specialized pest and diseases that keep these plants in check in their original homes, some of these plants “take off ” and invade natural areas. Some examples in Hernando County are Sword (Boston) fern, Mexican Petunia, Nandina and Mimosa. Particularly troublesome are Cogangrass and Airpotato.  And there's skunkvine, Japanese climbing fern and more! This presentation will introduce methods for managing populations of invasive plant species on public lands and in your landscape. 


About our speaker: In addition to serving as Chapter Representative to the Society, Heather volunteers at the Nature Coast Botanical Garden and on all field trips. Heather Sharkey is an Ecology Park Ranger with the Florida Forest Service doing invasive plant management on the Withlacoochee State Forest.


About our March venue. Starting with our March 6 Meeting, we will be trying out a new meeting venue at the South Brooksville Community Center, 601 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601. This facility is on the East side of Brooksville proper at the apex of Jefferson (US 98) and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 

Get to know us,
get to know your county

Our meetings are held the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.  At each meeting we discuss native plants and native plant ecosystems. Subjects range from hummingbird gardening to black bear habitat.

Each meeting has delicious snacks, and friendly company, native plants on display, and an information table. Please join us for a meeting. 


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Saturday March 18th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Workday in the Garden 

Nature Coast Botanical Garden,
Florida Native Plant Demonstration Garden
1489 Parker Ave, Spring Hill, FL 34606

We will get ready for spring!  A mixed species hedge will be soon be planted inside the perimeter chain link fence  and some remaining invasive species – native and not – need to be cleaned out of the planting area before we can install the hedge.

We hope to see you in the Garden on March 18, 2023.

Join us in the field

We also offer guided field trips to help celebration the natural beauty that is Hernando County.  We hope you'll decide to join in! 

Embrace the Mission

Preserve

Hernando County is home to a wide variety of natural areas from coastal scrub to the sandhills of the Brooksville Ridge to the cypress swamps of the Withlacoochee.  Our fieldtrips explore the diversity of our landscapes and their habitats. 

Conserve 

Through research and advocacy the Society seeks to ensure that natural landscapes are set aside to protect native plants and their habitats. Join us as we speak out for native plants and the wildlife that depends on them. 

Restore

Returning Florida's native plants to the human landscape is a critical action for increasing biodiversity and protecting pollinators and other wildlife.  Our planting projects help point the way.