The Pinellas County Chapter of FNPS held a plant sale today at Brooker Creek Preserve. It was a fantastic day to be out walking around the Preserve, and the only thing that made it even better was the opportunity to purchase native plants. And buy I did - by the time we left I had spent every dollar in my wallet and a few of my husband's as well. Bill Bilodeau, VP of the Chapter, is very knowledgeable and guided us toward the best natives for our location. We chose several salt and drought tolerant species including porterweed (pictured here), sea-oxe eye daisy, sea purslane, sea oats and sand cord grasses, and Christmasberry (named for the brilliant red berries it produces at Christmas time). I'll be out there first thing in the morning planting my treasures. Happy Florida Gardening and don't forget to plant native!

We are now official Floridians having lived here for a little over 10 years and determined to get out and about a bit more than in the past. Very familiar with Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach and Ft. DeSoto Park, my husband and I decided it was time to see Indian Rocks Beach. It is gorgeous and much easier to reach than Clearwater Beach, just a straight shot over the bridge from West Bay Drive. We saw this little beauty peeking out from the wind break. It is Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis better known as lavender goatfoot morning-glory or railroad vine. What a wonderful greeting to an enjoyable day. Happy Florida Gardening.