Spring is on the way, which means wildflowers are starting to bloom on the county’s road right of way thanks to the Wildflower Program maintained by the Alachua County Public Works Department. The county’s wildflower program is a collaborative effort with the Florida Wildflower Foundation, the Florida Department of Transportation District 2, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, and the Gainesville Garden Club.
Almost 300 acres of the county’s right of ways are included in the Wildflower Program. On these roads, only the first ten feet from the edge of the pavement will be mowed between Valentine’s Day (February 14) and Memorial Day (May 26). The safety strip provides a safe place to pull off the road in an emergency.
Information about Florida wildflowers:
- Roadside wildflowers support Florida farms. 40% of Florida’s crop plants benefit from the same pollinators that are supported by roadside wildflowers.
- Coreopsis, a whole genus of wildflowers, was adopted as the Florida State Wildflower in 1991.
- Coreopsis, commonly called “Tick-Seed,” came from a Greek-derived botanical name that translates to “bug view.”
- There are 15 species of Coreopsis occurring in Florida, 12 of which are considered native.
- Of the five species of Coreopsis found here in Alachua County, four are considered native.
- January and February are peak seasons for native violets (Viola sp.) and Innocence (Houstonia procumbens).
- Whenever we have a rain event, it is common to see our native rain lilies (Zephyranthes sp.) emerge with blooms.
The Alachua County Wildflower Program is under the supervision of Public Works Horticulturist Neil Greishaw.
For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or msexton@alachuacounty.us.
