March is the perfect time to embrace the beauty and benefits of gardening with native plants in Tampa! As we transition into the warmer months, planting native species ensures that our gardens thrive with minimal effort while conserving water and supporting local wildlife. By choosing plants that are naturally adapted to our climate, we can create lush, sustainable landscapes that enhance our community's ecological health. Roll on by Little Red Wagon Native Nursery to select from our wide varitety of native plants and watch your garden flourish! 

Great Southern White

There’s something darling about Great Southern Whites. The aqua-colored clubs at the tips of their antennae remind me of the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico and strolls along its beaches. These aqua colored antennae clubs are also the easiest way to quickly distinguish these butterflies from other medium-sized white butterflies (like the Checkered White or Cabbage White) that also fly in our area. If you can catch a glimpse of the top of the butterfly’s open wings, you’ll usually see a zigzag-like pattern around the wings’ edges (see Photo 2). 

Females are typically greyer (see Photo 3) compared to the males being a bright white (see Photo 2). Females lay slender, yellow eggs (See Photo 4) on Virginia pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum), saltwort (Batis maritima) and plants in the caper family including nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) and limber caper (Capparis flexuosa). The caterpillar is yellowish with small black spots and green stripes that run the length of its body (see Photo 5). Adult Great Southern Whites like to nectar on Spanish needles (Bidens alba), (pictured in Photo 1) and verbenas. Great Southern Whites are year-round residents of certain areas.  In Florida this is south of the Panhandle. This butterfly cannot tolerate hard freezes in any life stage. To avoid freezing temperatures they are known for massive migrations where, according to the Alabama Butterfly Atlas, “thousands leave to colonize new territory.” They migrate back through their range when temperatures warm to the mid-70s. They have been seen for the past couple of weeks in the Tampa Bay area as their host plant Pepperweed is popping up for them to lay their eggs. They are commonly found in coastal dunes, open fields, and gardens. Add some Pepperweed to your garden and let it go to seed to attract these beauties along with some Bidens alba for nectar.

Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)

Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum) is a host plant for the Great Southern White butterfly as well as the Checkered white butterfly. Another Florida native plant that is very important for wildlife - and humans! If this has been popping up in your garden the past couple of weeks leave it in your garden to attract the Great Southern White butterfly to your garden so it will lay its eggs. The flowers are pollinated by a variety of different insects with bees being the primary pollinator. 

This plant loves full sun with dry, well-drained, and sandy to rich soils. Typically it will grow about 6 to 20 inches tall. This plant is a member of the mustard family and edible for humans also. The seeds have a peppery flavor when green and go nice over vegetables or in salads to provide a light pepper flavor. It’s nickname is poor man’s pepper. Once the seeds start to turn reddish and brown, they are going to seed for the next season. The young leaves can be used as a potherb, sautéed or used raw, such as in salads. The young seedpods can be used as a substitute for black pepper. The leaves contain protein, vitamin A and vitamin C. It prefers sunny locales with dry soil (sounds like Florida to me). 

We have also had them in our wildflower arrangements that we started selling with our partner Pugs and Petals at the nursery each week. New bouquets arrive every Wednesday. Swing by on Wildflower Wednesdays and pick up a nice bouquet to enjoy at home.

COME GET YOUR SWAG-ON!

Transform your garden into a whimsical haven with our charming selection of garden decor! Elevate your outdoor spaces with beautifully crafted birdhouses that provide a cozy home for feathered friends, and bird feeders adding both function and beauty to your garden. Our enchanting butterfly rocker stakes are balanced to rock in a gentle breeze and will create a vibrant display of colors and motion. Roll on by our Gift Shop to select from our unique garden art pieces that will infuse personality and charm into your garden, making it a true reflection of your style and love for nature. Discover the magic of turning your garden into a captivating sanctuary where nature and artistry come together. 

Frogfruit (Phyla stoechadifolia)

Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) is a charming groundcover with trailing foliage that grows to about 6 inches high. A member of the verbena family, Frogfruit’s white and reddish-pink flowers look like miniature versions of its larger verbena cousins. The plant is listed as semi-evergreen: it will go dormant in harsh winters, but re-emerges with warmer temperatures. In our area, the plant will typically bloom from early spring through the fall with peak bloom occurring in May and fruit setting in October. 

Frogfruit is native to much of the United States. It can be found as far north as Pennsylvania and Oregon and as far south as Florida and Texas and is naturally found in moist and wet habitats with well-drained to poorly drained sandy, limestone, clay or loam soils. In Florida, Frogfruit can be found along roadsides, hydric bogs, and exposed limerock. It tolerates mowing and makes a great turf alternative. 

Frogfruit is the caterpillar host plant for Buckeyes, Phaon Crescents, and White Peacocks and a nectar source for Barred Yellows, Ceranus Blues, Gray Hairstreaks, Phaon Crescents, Checkered Skippers and numerous species of bees. 

Why not try planting it with Bidens alba for a combination that is sure to attract the pollinators?

Sea Plum (Coccoloba uvifera x diversifolia)

Sea Plum (Coccoloba uvifera x diversifolia) is a low-maintenance tree, native to Florida, particularly well-suited to coastal environments. The Sea Plum is a hybrid of the Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera) and the Pigeon Plum (Coccoloba diversifolia), which is thought to have naturally occurred. It may grow 6-8 feet tall with a spread of 5-6 feet, but given its parents can grow up to 30 feet high! This resilient plant thrives in well-drained, sandy soils and can tolerate a range of soil pH levels, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Sea Plum is known for its attractive, glossy leaves and clusters of small, grape-like fruits. The fruit start off green and turn a rich purple as they ripen, providing a valuable food source for various wildlife, including birds. The fruit is edible and can be eaten raw, though it is often used to make jams or jellies due to its slightly tart flavor. Its ability to withstand salty wind conditions and strong coastal winds makes it an excellent choice for coastal landscaping. Sea Plum's fragrant white flowers attract a range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. It does well in partial shade to full sun.

UPCOMING NATURE CAMP FUN!

Nature doesn't take a break and neither do we! Kindergarten to Grade 5 kids can explore and discover nature during school breaks with our nature camps.  

Camp will be held from 8:00 am to 3:00 p.m. at the Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation Gallery located at 4111-A Henderson Blvd. (beside Little Red Wagon Native Nursery).  Camp drop off will be between 

8:00 - 8:30 am and pickup between 2:30 - 3:00 pm.

SPRING BREAK CAMP: MARCH 17-21

Spring break is a great time to learn about Beach bugs! Where the sands are hot, harsh, and constantly on the move. Yet here, where the shifting sands meet the gulf or ocean coasts of Florida, there’s an abundance of insects that make their homes there.  These bugs have evolved to succeed in the sand. But survival in this merciless landscape is hard won! We will learn about bug adaptations to coastal sand environments, roles they play in these sandy environments, what they eat and so much more about their microworld! The Florida Aquarium will also be presenting their "No Bones About It" program which includes bringing some common Florida invertebrates for campers to see and touch up close. There will be theme related arts and crafts, guest appearances from our bug and animal ambassadors and each child will have the opportunity to release a butterfly into our garden.  We will also visit our very own Bug bungalow, Nature Center and Butterfly garden where we have our very own sand dune to explore!

APRIL SHOWERS: APRIL 18

Celebrate the magic of spring with our one-day April Showers nature camp! Campers will explore how rain nurtures life—not just for plants and animals, but for us too. Through exciting activities of crafting rain catchers, exploring the water cycle, and planting native wildflowers, they’ll discover the essential role water plays in our daily lives and ecosystems. The Florida Aquarium will also be presenting their "No Bones About It" program which includes bringing some common Florida invertebrates for campers to see and touch up close. The day also includes bug hunts, hands-on experiments, and creative art projects that highlight how we can conserve and protect this precious resource. 

SUMMER CAMPS: JUNE 2 - AUGUST 8

Our Summer Nature Camps were voted Best Summer Camps by the Guide to Florida for the last three years in a row! Little Red Wagon Nature Camps are a great opportunity for children entering Kindergarten to Grade 5 kids to learn, grow and make new friends--the perfect way to keep kids engaged and inspired during their summer break. Each week will have a different theme so kids can discover nature all summer long! Children will participate in hands-on activities exploring Florida's native plants and animals, enjoy creative crafts and journaling to spark imagination and reflection. Day passes will be available after noon on the Friday prior to camp, if the camp is not full/sold out. Spaces are limited, so register soon.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Egg Carton
   • Cut the egg carton lengthwise into a strip of 4-6 connected cups. This will form the caterpillar’s body.
2. Paint the Caterpillar
   • Let kids paint their caterpillar any color they like! Green is a classic choice, but they can mix colors or add patterns.
   • Allow the paint to dry completely.
3. Add the Antennae
   • Use a hole punch (or poke small holes) on the top of the first egg cup.
   • Cut a pipe cleaner in half and insert both pieces into the holes to create the caterpillar’s antennae.
   • Bend the ends slightly for a fun look.
4. Attach the Eyes
   • Glue googly eyes onto the front egg cup for the caterpillar’s face.
   • If you don’t have googly eyes, draw them with a marker.
5. Final Touches
   • Draw a smile or other facial expressions with a marker.
   • Optionally, add small pipe cleaner legs by poking holes on the sides of each cup and inserting short pipe cleaner pieces.

Now, the egg carton caterpillar is ready to crawl into fun!

Insects do not have lungs and breathe through little holes in their exoskeleton called spiracles and spread across its body through tubes called tracheae. Check out the Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar and its spiracles that run along its abdominal side.

SNAKE SNAP BRACELETS

Crafted from high-quality polyester and metal copper sheets, these soft and fluffy animal bracelets are designed for comfort. They are durable, resistant to fading, breaking, and deforming. Perfect for children aged 6-12 years.

Note: the product contains metal copper sheets, so it should be handled with care when using.

Butterfly Alley Maintenance

Volunteers perform cleanup and maintenance of Butterfly Alley habitat (4110 W. Estrella St., behind Little Red Wagon Native Nursery).  

CFC Habitat Maintenance

The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation and FWC's Suncoast Youth Conservation Center need volunteers to assist with habitat maintenance at Center for Conservation site of the Florida Conservation and Technology Center in Apollo Beach (529 Estuary Shore Lane) as well as their Adopt a Road site along Dickman Road.

Encore Park! Maintenance

Volunteers help to maintain a Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation-sponsored butterfly garden at Encore Park located at 1210 E. Harrison St. (Corner of Harrison St. and Hank Ballard St.).  

Nature Camp Volunteers

Sign up for a rewarding experience mentoring Kindergarten to Grade 5 children during our Nature Camps on school breaks. These are great opportunities for college environmental science students and High School students (who may earn hours for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program). Camp Volunteers must be available 7:30 am. - 3:30 pm. for the entire camp session.  

Little Red Wagon Native Nursery  

We currently need garden enthusiasts to help us support the efforts of Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation’s conservation, restoration, research, and education efforts.  

ABOUT THE TAMPA BAY BUTTERFLY FOUNDATION:

With a focus on Florida butterfly species and native plants, environmental education and local awareness in the Tampa Bay area, Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation was established to support the conservation of butterflies and pollinators and the restoration of their natural wildlife habitats. By working globally with university research partners, providing educational and research opportunities and community outreach programs, and through multi-faceted fundraising efforts, the Foundation aims to elevate public awareness of the importance of butterflies.

The Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3), is an affiliate of the Butterfly Conservatory of Tampa Bay.

Reptile of the Month: Green Anole

Meet Huey, Dewey, and Louie, our Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis), this month's Reptiles of the Month at Butterfly Tampa! Florida’s only native anole species, Green Anoles can shift between dark brown and bright green but are not true chameleons. They are known for their long snouts and striking pink throat fans (dewlaps), used for communication and display. Their color-changing abilities and territorial behaviors, including head-bobbing, push-ups and dewlap flash displays by males, make them a favorite among our guests. Their toes have adhesive pads so they are great climbers and use jumping as their primary means of getting around.  They play a vital role in controlling insect populations. 

Unlike the non-native Brown Anoles commonly found on the ground and lower tree trunks, Green Anoles prefer higher perches in trees and bushes. While Green anoles have a pink dewlap, the Cuban/Brown anoles have a red-orange dewlap with a white line outlining the bottom. Unfortunately, Green anoles have become less common in urban areas as Brown Anoles have spread. It is important to remember that while Brown Anoles are always brown, Green Anoles can shift between green and brown coloration. Female anoles do, however, often have a dorsal line down their back. One fun fact about Green anoles is ed-orange dewlap with a white line outlining the bottom. Fun fact: Green anoles can have green/blue eye rings that we like to call “eyeshadow.”

Stop by Butterfly Tampa to meet Huey, Dewey, and Louie and discover more about these incredible native lizards!

Invertebrate of the Month: Carolina Mantis

The Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis Carolina) is one of the most common and prolific mantis species in the eastern and central United States and is also native to Florida. Individuals may be either brown, gray, green, or a mixed shade of these colors which is used to camouflage themselves. They are able to change their color every time they molt as juveniles. Once they reach their final molt and become adults, they remain that color for the rest of their lives. They go through incomplete metamorphosis having just three life stages: egg, nymph and adult. Hard-shelled egg cases, called ootheca, can yield 50-200 baby praying mantis and the egg case is attached by the female to twigs or branches in the fall to hatch in late spring. 

Most baby mantis hatch all at once, but some hatching may take up to 8 weeks. Their lifespan is about 8-12 months, but in captivity they can live up to 14 months. They can molt 5-10 times throughout their lifespan, growing larger with each molt as it progresses through its nymph stages until reaching adulthood. With the later stage molts they will acquire wing buds that are fully functional for the males to fly once mature in late summer and they begin mating. While females develop wings, they are flightless. During mating, the smaller male often jumps on the back of the larger female and the female may turn around and eat the male’s head during copulation. While not all male praying mantises survive mating, some can continue mating even after losing their heads. They have one generation per year. 

As with all mantids, Carolina mantises are extremely skilled ambush predators. They are highly opportunistic, feeding on anything that moves that is smaller than them and sometimes taking on larger prey. We love them for their aphid management on our native milkweeds here at the nursery!

Butterfly Walks will be held from March to October on the first Sunday of each month! 

Join Tampa Bay Butterfly Foundation and NABA Tampa Bay on a butterfly walk to continue our monthly monitoring of butterfly species at Gadsen Park located at 6901 S MacDill Ave in South Tampa. We will meet under the trees North of the softball field at the back of the park. There is ample parking back there. VIEW Gadsen Park. Plan for the outdoors, heat, mosquitoes, no-see-ums, getting feet wet if you don’t wear the right shoes to avoid it. Bring plenty of water to drink and a snack if you want.

This will be free for NABA members; non-NABA members fee: $5 (payment required morning of event). 

MARCH 3    World Wildlife Day

MARCH 5   🌸Wildflower Wednesday

MARCH 8    International Women's Day

MARCH 9    Daylight Savings Time Begins

MARCH 12 🌸Wildflower Wednesday, National Plant a Flower Day

MARCH 14  National Learn About Butterflies Day, World Spider Day

Ready to give your tools the edge they deserve? 

Say goodbye to dull blades and hello to precision with our professional tool sharpening service! From kitchen knives to garden shears, we bring back the sharpness that makes all the difference.

Drop off your tools up by Thursday and pick them up on Saturday. Or roll on by Saturday and visit Butterfly Tampa's Bug Zoo while you wait for your tools to be sharpened. Your tools will be ready for in no time, sharper than ever!

MARCH 17  St. Patrick's Day

MARCH 17  Global Recycling Day

MARCH 19 🌸Wildflower Wednesday, National Backyard Day

MARCH 17  Spring Equinox

MARCH 20  World Sparrow Day, World Frog Day

MARCH 21  World Planting Day, International Day of Forests

MARCH 22  World Water Day

MARCH 26 🌸Wildflower Wednesday, National Little Red Wagon Day

MARCH 28  National Weed Appreciation Day

MARCH 29  National Mom & Pop Business Owner's Day

MARCH 30  National Take A Walk in the Park Day