Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden
Thanks to funding from the Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden Grant awarded to the Friends of Long Key by the Florida Wildflower Foundation, a stunning wildflower demonstration garden was installed at the Island Garden in 2025.
This garden aims to increase awareness and appreciation of Florida’s native wildflowers by illustrating their benefits and beauty in cultivated landscapes. Visitors can experience firsthand how wildflowers enrich local ecosystems, support wildlife, and enhance natural spaces.
Discover the Wildflowers at the Island Garden
The Viva Florida grant supported the planting of 12 native wildflower species, carefully selected to match the climate & ecosystem found at Long Key Nature Center.
Check out our full list of planted species and existing vegetation! To learn more about these and other native wildflowers, click here.
Why do wildflowers matter? Florida’s native wildflowers and plants are essential to the state’s ecological health, economy, and natural beauty. The selected wildflowers at the Island Garden play a vital role in:
- Supporting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and moths
- Conserving resources by improving soil and water quality
- Providing food & shelter for local wildlife
- Enhancing biodiversity in cultivated landscapes
The plants chosen for this site specifically nurture local and migratory species found at Long Key Nature Center, ensuring a thriving and dynamic natural environment.
Sustainable Gardening: Irrigation & Mulching
The Island Garden embraces water-wise gardening techniques by selecting native plants that thrive in Florida’s unique climate.
- While irrigation is available, once established, these native wildflowers require minimal watering compared to non-native plants.
- Wildflowers naturally reseed and sprout in time with seasonal temperatures and rainfall, ensuring a self-sustaining landscape.
- A thin layer of pine straw mulch is used to maintain the garden’s aesthetic while promoting reseeding and growth.
Visitors can see firsthand how these low-maintenance plants provide lasting beauty with little intervention, a perfect model for eco-friendly gardening.
Funding: Powered by Florida’s Wildflower Legacy
This wildflower demonstration garden was made possible through the Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden Grant Program, which is funded by sales and renewals of the State Wildflower license plate. By simply driving with a wildflower plate, you contribute to initiatives that foster environmental education, native habitat projects, and the preservation of Florida’s natural beauty.
You can learn more at www.flawildflowers.org.
Island Garden: A Tribute to Environmental Art
Established in 2009, the Island Garden is an artistic tribute to Florida’s landscapes, designed by the late environmental artist Lorna Jordan (1954-2021).
Renowned for her artwork that highlights watersheds, Jordan’s design for the Island Garden beautifully illustrates Long Key’s topography and its interaction with water and plant life.
To learn more about Lorna Jordan and the Island Garden, visit the link to Broward County’s Cultural Division page: https://www.broward.org/Arts/PublicArt/Pages/Artwork.aspx?artwork=1218
Visit and Experience the Beauty of Wild Florida
Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a gardener, or just looking to enjoy the serene beauty of Long Key, the Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden offers inspiration and education on Florida’s extraordinary native wildflowers.
Come and explore how wildflowers shape Florida’s landscapes and ecosystems, one bloom at a time.