“Wildflowers aren’t meant to be cut & tamed. They’re meant to be loved & admired.”
~Anthony T. Hincks
I have actually witnessed snow in Florida. It happened as we were returning to New York after my parents purchased their property here, in January 2010. The snow filled the sky, looked absolutely beautiful, and mostly melted before it ever reached the ground. While it does get cold enough to snow here on occasion, that was the only time I witnessed it so far.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
I later learned of a winter phenomenon known as “Florida Snow” that occurs in our yards. Largeleaf Mexican Clover, Richardia Grandiflora, aka, “Florida Snow” is actually classified as a noxious weed and Category 2 invasive here in Florida. However, it could be argued that it is a gloriously helpful part of our habitat.
While I was previously typically guilty of doing my level best to mow it out of my lawn-mostly for fear of being reported for not all but eliminating the joke of a “lawn” that I have here–last year and this year I did not. In the winter of 2022/23, following the hurricane, and losing the “bee wall”, I was concerned that all my bees would disappear. Not too long after the destruction, these delightful little flowers popped up, everywhere. Instead of mowing it like I used to, I let it bee. Boy did it BEE! I noticed bee activity again and that was one of the things that pushed me to reconsider rebuilding my garden. These precious little buds that are classified as invasive brought my bees back, along with my will to bring back my garden. I chose to work with it, instead of against it. It inspired me to go full steam ahead with my garden.
When it became overly challenging to get things cleaned up in my yard, mainly because I didn’t want to step on the bees, I grudgingly realized I needed to mow. As I started, I was having a hard time doing it because I knew the bees were so enjoying it. Then it hit me! I don’t have to mow it all down! So I began to mow deliberate paths through it and have adored how it looks in my garden.
I am still in the process of all but eliminating my backyard lawn. Now, in 2024, there is little of it remaining in the back, very little. This puts me over the moon really, as it is somewhat the bane of my existence throughout the summer. I refuse to water it. I refuse to put chemicals on it ever. This means that it is not glorious and it is often harshly ladened with all sorts of horrible “grass” and a million different weeds, other issues, and fire ants. Oh, the lovely fire ants, a topic for another time.
Anyway, I quite adore how the “snow” looks and have decided to keep the spots available, at least in the back. I am not entirely certain how this will work out as it dies off but we shall soon see. Meanwhile, I am sowing some wildflower seeds in the areas in hopes that they will take over where the “snow” leaves off. I am also placing things in the center of the “snow piles” to accent the “snow”. I rather like how they look.
While I haven’t seen snow here since 2010, we certainly have had our share of freezing temperatures, here in southwest Florida. This was from a wintery morning last year. I went outside and saw my Florida Snow covered in frost! Not something we often see here in Southwest Florida!
