The first Florida native plant I purchased was a St. Andrew's Cross. I bought it because my son's name is Andrew. Little did I know that such an innocent purchase would turn into such a wonderful love of nature.

Andrew was in first grade when I bought that plant. Our love of nature started with that one plant and it was something that we shared together all through his childhood.

The first butterfly garden that I actually helped build was at Andrew's School, Port Malabar Elementary. It was an incredible experience because not only did the children help with the creation of the garden but many people from the community generously pitched in with time or materials to make the garden a reality. What we created was a place where the kids could go out and learn first hand the joys of nature.

That month long process was completed in 1992. It wasn't until years later that I turned my own Palm Bay property into a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat™ by adding many low-maintenance native plants and a few nest boxes and butterfly gardens of my own.

Andrew is in College now, but we still both enjoy the beauty of our "habitat". It is a joy to walk among the plants and witness the life cycle of a butterfly. It's fascinating to watch a butterfly deposit her eggs on a leaf or screech owls and woodpeckers raise their young in nesting boxes. There is a sacredness in seeing birds feeding their young and a sense of honor in being able to watch those young take their first flight. The nearness of this wildlife brings balance, harmony and a serene meditative quality to our little backyard oasis in Palm Bay.

I have a strong preference to using Florida Native Plants because they are so much easier to maintain. Once they are established, these plants require little or no watering, pesticides or fertilizer. Since they are native to Florida, they have developed a tolerance to our heat, drought and salt conditions. They are hardy and they propagate quickly. I love how so many of the native plant names are so descriptive of the plants! Necklace pod really looks like a necklace. The stem of Pipestem is hollow and straight just like a pipe. The beautiful purple berries of the Beautyberry plant add color to the garden and food for the birds.

How do I feel about being a Florida Native Gardener? Grateful, Blessed and touched by the hand of God.

         Happy Gardening!! Sharon
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 "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
                                                                                                                          ~ Albert Einstein