Planting Purpose: How a Native Garden Internship Took Root in Seminole County

By Gracie Politte

In August 2024, I began a journey that would grow deeper roots than I could have imagined—both figuratively and literally. As an intern with Cuplet Fern Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS), my mission was clear: identify a public space that could benefit from a thoughtfully designed native garden. What I didn’t realize at the time was just how meaningful and collaborative the process would be.

Starting with a Vision

The first few weeks of my internship were spent reaching out to city and county officials to explore potential partnerships. My efforts paid off when a project manager from Seminole County Parks and Recreation responded with interest. They connected me with an agent from the Seminole County IFAS/Extension Office, and from there, a project team was born.

Located in Sanford, the Seminole County IFAS/Extension Office is home to a Florida-Friendly Demonstration Garden—a space that showcases plants well-suited to Florida’s climate with minimal need for irrigation or fertilization. While many non-native species are included in the demonstration, all native plants fall within the Florida-Friendly guidelines. Within this garden lies a small patch reserved for native flora, maintained by Cuplet Fern. It was this space that became the focus of my project.

Designing with Intention

There are many ways to design a native garden, but understanding the purpose of the space is essential. In this case, I wanted to create something welcoming, organized, and beautiful—something that would inspire visitors unfamiliar with native plants to see their potential in a manicured landscape.

The existing patch had become unruly, with plants spilling beyond their boundaries. My goal was to reimagine the area as a polished yet natural demonstration of native plants at their best. I wanted people to not only recognize the beauty of natives but also to feel confident incorporating them into their own yards.

Initial Garden - October 15, 2024

Research and Planning

The planning process was the most time-intensive phase of the project. I began by using the Florida Native Plant Society’s online tools to search for species compatible with the garden’s sun and soil conditions. Once I had a preliminary list, I cross-referenced it with the inventory at Green Isle Gardens, the native nursery I hoped to source from.

From there, I created a detailed spreadsheet categorizing each plant by type (wildflower, shrub, etc.), bloom color, height, width, and season of bloom. This helped me ensure the garden would have visual interest year-round, with staggered bloom times and a range of colors.

With the plant selection finalized, I designed the layout and calculated quantities. Once my planting proposal and budget were approved, I turned my attention to preparing the site.

Prepping the Garden

To begin, we carefully removed the existing native plants. Many were re-homed by volunteers, while others were pulled to clear the space entirely. With the plot down to bare soil, I used a process called solarization to prepare the site. Solarization is an organic method for combating pest pressures and weeds.

We laid thick black plastic over the entire bed for two and a half months. The intense Florida sun heated the soil beneath, killing weed seeds and harmful pests like root-knot nematodes. About halfway through, I turned the top 10 inches of soil to allow deeper solarization. While the soil "cooked," I organized a volunteer planting day.

Solarization Process - December 6, 2024

Installation Day

With a team of dedicated volunteers from Cuplet Fern, we brought the garden to life. Using the finalized design, we laid out the plants in their designated spots, then worked together to get everything in the ground. Once planted, we mulched with pine needles to conserve moisture and followed with a thorough watering. The transformation was immediate—and deeply rewarding.

Installation Day - March 8, 2025

Rooted in Gratitude

Completed Planting - March 8, 2025

This internship has been a powerful reminder that even small projects can lead to lasting change. I’m grateful to Cuplet Fern for empowering me to take initiative and create something meaningful for our community. What began as a simple idea blossomed into a collaborative effort grounded in education, conservation, and beauty.

Garden Plot Filling In - July 7, 2025

I hope this native garden becomes a place where visitors can discover the charm and resilience of Florida’s native plants—and feel inspired to bring that beauty home.

 By Gracie Politte