Fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage add to our garden enjoyment by giving us pleasure as we take in the wonderful fragrances they produce. The primary purpose of scent in flowers is to attract pollinators (usually insects) for fertilization. Biology aside, we just love breathing in the richly fragrant air that tells us the citrus trees,

The importance of attracting birds to our urban and suburban landscapes is often overlooked. Birds play a vital role in our sensitive eco-systems not to mention the beauty and pleasure derived from watching and listening to them in our gardens. Planting a garden or landscape that will attract birds to your yard is as simple as

Visitors to Riverland Nursery are amazed at the number of butterflies in our gardens. Creating a landscape or garden that attracts and nurtures butterflies is a rewarding and exciting experience. In order to successfully attract butterflies and have them stay in the garden, both nectar and larval food plants are needed. The colorful nectar flowers

Healthy plants spring from rich soil.  Naturally fertile soils are found in other parts of the United States but most of the soil in SW Florida is made of sand, seasoned with lime rock, and peppered with shells. If it looks like it used to be an ocean floor, you are right. Plant growth and

This is a summation of an article by Nancy Miller, TAPP Project Coordinator & Pam Sawyer, Master Gardener. The source of the article is from Think About Personal Pollution (TAPP), City of Tallahassee. Almost every homeowner has occasionally been stumped about what to do with excess water washing across the yard during and after a

With the advent of the rainy season, we are frequently asked about plants that will survive in standing water. These are some of our suggestions for our SW Florida climate. Many of these are also great plants to use if you are building a rain garden. Note: Some of the wet tolerant shrubs and trees

Many homeowners in Southwest Florida live very near the Gulf of Mexico and other places with elevated salinity levels, which can adversely affect plant success.  Wells that have experienced some degree of saltwater intrusion can also present planting challenges.  It may be useful to test your well water and to take soil samples.  We have found that many

Florida’s unique climate of intense rain, heat and humidity during the summer, followed by a lengthy dry season can create a daunting challenge for those wishing to establish successful gardens and landscapes. Riverland Nursery embraces the concept of sustainability which is the practical application of designing and selecting plant material that will flourish in our

We are often asked about plants which may be poisonous to pets, livestock or horses. There are several listings of toxic plants available online but they are lengthy and encompass many plants that aren’t grown in SW Florida. This is a list of plants that are considered poisonous to dogs and cats to some degree

It is estimated that the potential value of “low energy” landscapes can result in a 20-30% reduction in total energy consumption. A major benefit of landscaping is to limit solar radiation on windows and exterior walls. In South Florida during the five-month period from mid-May to mid-September, temperatures exceed human comfort levels. Trees are the

We have grown to appreciate non-running (Clumping) bamboo as an exceptionally useful and attractive plant choice, providing unique beauty and great privacy. Clumping bamboo grow vertically to reach their full height in just a few years. Bamboo is hardy and requires little maintenance once established. Some of our favorite cold tolerant and non-running varieties include

Probably the most frequently asked questions from our customers are about insect activities in their gardens. There are many good online websites about pests and how to control them. This is a summary of several informative articles distributed by the University of FL, IFAS Extension. We will list various websites at the end of this