Sydney Park-Brown

Plants and Youth: Designing and Building a Terrarium

Amy Vu and Sydney Park Brown

This document is ENH121, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 1996. Revised October 2007 and April 2017.

Poinsettias at a Glance

Sydney Park Brown

Natural Products for Managing Landscape and Garden Pests in Florida

Matthew A. Borden, Eileen A. Buss, Sydney G. Park Brown, and Adam G. Dale

Florida 4-H Horticulture Identification and Judging: Contest Rules and Glossary

Sydney Park Brown, Jeffrey G. Williamson, and Tom Wichman

This publication provides guidelines and information for Florida 4H members and Master Gardeners interested in horticulture and/or in participating in state contests held annually at 4-H Congress or the Master Gardener Annual Conference.

Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide

Sydney Park Brown, Tiare Silvasy, Larry Williams, and Danielle Treadwell

This guide provides research-based recommendations appropriate for home gardens. It covers planning, soil preparation, compost and fertilizing, irrigation and drainage, and pest management with and without pesticides. Includes tables with fertilizer and insect control recommendations, a planting guide with planting dates and spacing information, and a table of varieties recommended for Florida gardens.

Steps to a Florida-Friendly Landscape

Claire Lewis, Tom Wichman, and Sydney Park Brown

A Florida-Friendly landscape is attractive, functional, and ecologically sound. Its creation and maintenance can be accomplished by using the landscape practices listed in this article. They are grouped according to how much money or labor they take to accomplish from easiest (Tier One) to most expensive and/or labor intensive (Tier Three). Even a simple practice—like raising the height on your lawn mower—can have significant, positive impacts on the landscape and the environment. Helpful websites from the University of Florida/IFAS are also included in this publication. These resources provide even more tips and practices to incorporate Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Daylilies for Florida

Sydney Park Brown

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

North Florida Gardening Calendar

Sydney Park Brown and Larry Williams

Give cold-damaged palms proper care to encourage their recovery in February. In April, monitor landscape plants weekly for aphids on tender new growth. Annuals that can take full sun during hot summer months include celosia, portulaca, vinca, and some coleus. In September, plant cool-season vegetable crops, such as radish, carrot, cabbage, and lettuce. This 10-page fact sheet tells what to plant and what to do in your north Florida garden year-round.

Bird-of-Paradise

Sydney Park Brown and Robert J. Black

Includes description, related species, planting and care, propagation, and pest and disease problems.

Edible Landscaping

Sydney Park Brown

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Gaillardia pulchella Blanket Flower, Gaillardia, Firewheel

Edward F. Gilman, Sydney Park-Brown, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides a detailed overview of Gaillardia pulchella, commonly known as blanket flower or firewheel. It describes the plant’s physical characteristics, including its height, spread, and flower colors, as well as its growth habits and environmental preferences. The document highlights the plant’s high drought tolerance, suitability for various soil types, and its attractiveness to butterflies. It also covers planting guidelines, potential uses in landscaping, and propagation methods. Additionally, it mentions the plant’s resistance to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners.  Original publication date September 1999. 

Drying and Preserving Plant Materials for Decorative Uses

Sydney Park Brown

Dried and preserved plant materials are popular for home decor. Dried arrangements can preserve the graceful lines, textures, and colors of flowers and foliage with a subtle and gently aged appearance.

Organic Vegetable Gardening in Florida

Danielle D. Treadwell and Sydney Park Brown

This 16-page fact sheet is meant to be a companion to the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide. It is intended for the home gardener who prefers to use natural and organic materials as well as methods that are compatible with the philosophy of organic gardening.

Gardenias at a Glance

Sydney Park Brown and Joan Bradshaw

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s).

Gaillardia pulchella 'Red Plume' Red Plume Gaillardia, Red Plume Blanket Flower

Edward F. Gilman, Sydney Park-Brown, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of the ‘Red Plume’ gaillardia, also known as the ‘Red Plume’ blanket flower. It details the plant’s characteristics, including its height, flower color, and foliage. The document highlights its adaptability to various soil types and its high drought and salt tolerance. It also mentions the plant’s uses in landscaping, such as in containers, ground covers, and attracting butterflies. Additionally, it provides information on planting months for different USDA hardiness zones and notes that the plant is generally available within its hardiness range. Potential issues like sweet potato whitefly are also briefly discussed. Original publication date September 1999.

Amaryllis

Sydney Park-Brown and Robert J. Black

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Identification of Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac, and Poisonwood

Sydney Park Brown

Every year, numerous Floridians are accidentally poisoned by coming in contact with one of several plants typically found in Florida parks and woodlands. The most common plant encountered is poison ivy. Poison oak and poison sumac are also found in some of these settings. Poisoning by these plants is largely preventable. One can easily learn to identify these plants in their various forms with the aid of general descriptions and pictures and by observing plants in the wild. The purpose of this publication is to assist individuals in learning to identify these plants and avoid contact with them.

Camellias at a Glance

Sydney Park Brown

Native to Asia, the first camellia plants were brought to America in 1797 and grown in New England greenhouses. Over the last 200 years, they have proven to be dependable additions to the southern landscape, where they grow and bloom with minimal care in most inland areas of North and Central Florida. Camellias are long lived and function well as foundation plantings, screens, accent plants, background groupings, and hedges. Camellias flower in the fall and winter when few other plants are blooming. For the remainder of the year, their glossy, evergreen foliage, interesting forms and textures, relatively slow growth, and low maintenance make camellias excellent landscape plants worthy of more use.

Compost Tips for the Home Gardener

Sydney Park Brown

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s).

Hollies at a Glance

Sydney Park Brown

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s).

Consultation Forms for Walk-In Clientele and Landscape Site Visits

Amanda D. Ali, Laura A. Warner, Sydney Park Brown, Susan Haddock, Laurie Albrecht

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Special Handling==

Bromeliads at a Glance

Sydney Park Brown

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s).

Spanish Moss, Ball Moss, and Lichens - Harmless Epiphytes

Joe Sewards and Sydney Park Brown

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

Guía para Cultivar Vegetales en la Florida

Sydney Park Brown, Danielle Treadwell, J. M. Stephens y Susan Webb; traducido por Francisco Rivera

El cultivo de vegetales le ofrece aire fresco, exposición al sol, ejercicio, diversión, terapia emocional, alimentos frescos nutritivos, ahorros económicos y muchos otros beneficios. Los vegetales pueden crecer durante todo el año en el estado de Florida si se les presta atención a las fechas de siembra correspondientes.

Central Florida Gardening Calendar

Sydney Park Brown and Tiare Silvasy

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s).

Helianthus debilis Beach Sunflower

Edward F. Gilman, Sydney Park-Brown, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis), a perennial plant native to Florida. It describes the plant’s physical characteristics, including its small, sunflower-like flower heads, dark green deltoid leaves, and dense, spreading habit. The beach sunflower is noted for its high drought and salt tolerance, making it suitable for coastal areas. It is commonly used as ground cover and attracts butterflies. The document also outlines the plant’s growth requirements, such as full sun and well-drained sandy soils, and highlights its minimal pest issues and various cultivars. Original publication date October 1999.

African Violets

Sydney Park Brown

Revised! ENH-17, a 3-page illustrated fact sheet by Sydney Park Brown, describes this popular house plant that grows and flowers under light conditions found in the average home, including requirements for lighting, temperature and humidity, soil and pots, watering, fertilizer, propagation and pest management. Includes references.

South Florida Gardening Calendar

Sydney Park Brown and Kara Krueger

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s).

Growing Strawberries in the Florida Home Garden

Vance M. Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, Sriyanka Lahiri, Sydney Park Brown, and Craig K. Chandler

Florida is the winter strawberry capital of the world. In commercial and home production, strawberries are grown as an annual crop rather than as perennials. This 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department presents guidelines for the successful production of strawberries in the Florida home garden. Minor revision by Vance M. Whitaker, Natalia A. Peres, Sriyanka Lahiri, Sydney Park Brown, and Craig K. Chandler.

Cold Protection of Landscape Plants

Sydney Park Brown

This document discusses the impact of cold temperatures on landscape plants in Florida, highlighting the differences between radiational and advective freezes. It explains how tropical, subtropical, and temperate plants respond to cold, and provides strategies for protecting plants before, during, and after a freeze. Key methods include utilizing microclimates, proper plant nutrition, watering, pruning, and using covers. The document also emphasizes the importance of acclimating plants and offers practical tips for homeowners to minimize cold injury and ensure plant recovery. Original publication date June 1990.

Landscaping in Florida Shade

Sydney Park Brown

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.