The humidity is more persistent than the mosquitos and the summer storms don’t happen often enough; we’re in the thick of summer here in the Florida Panhandle! The periods of intense heat can sap the life out of everything green; porch plants are wilting, ornamental shrubs are browning, and extra waterings just seem to cause sun spots and yellowing leaves.
If you’re looking for plants that can handle the heat and the blackest of thumbs, look no further than the list below! It’s curated entirely from native plants; this means they’ve all genetically evolved to better handle local Florida weather. While all plants need a period of establishment when added to a garden (i.e. supplemental waterings) or daily waterings (if kept in a pot), native plants require less supplemental watering each year, require no fertilization to produce blooms, and are typically much lower maintenance than typical ornamental flowering plants.
Blanket Flower (Galliardia spp.)
This is an easy-to-grow, short-lived perennial with richly colored, daisy-like flowers. The plant forms a slowly spreading mound, and the common name may be a reference to how they can slowly spread and “blanket” an area. They self-seed readily; if you’d like to stop them from self-seeding or want to extend the bloom time, you can dead-head the flowers (more on dead-heading flowers).
Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea) 
A colorful perennial with fragrant flowers; thrives in sunny and well-drained soil. It also appreciates being deadheaded. Scarlet sage can be found with red, white, or pink flowers. It’s deer resistant and easy to grow. While it can grow to 2-3ft tall, it handles pruning quite well and can be kept to a desired height easily. Best of all, it attracts everything from butterflies to bees to hummingbirds!
Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) 
This is the plant to accompany all other plants! Frogfruit is the perfect plant to add to hanging baskets, to keep down weeds in your well-kept beds, or function as a walkable, mowable groundcover to replace costly turf grass. Another benefit? It’s popular with pollinators including small bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies. Frog fruit is the host plant for three butterflies: the phaon crescent, buckey, and white peacock.
The director of the Florida Coastal Conservancy will lead a special presentation that covers topics like why sea turtles cry salt and why turtle nests are protected on Florida beaches. Guests will also get to see turtle shells and skulls; depending on the specimens brought and the number of guests, they may even be allowed to touch. While the event is free to attend, they do ask guests to register in advance. To learn more or register for the All About Sea Turtles talk, click here. It will be held on August 1st from 10am-12pm at the William J. Rish Recreation Area.
on 
The International Day of Friendship was created in 2011 by the UN General Assembly. The idea was to help celebrate and further “friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals [that] can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.”
It’s currently Pride Month. Pride began as a celebration and chance to remember the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. New York was 
