What About Flowers? Secrets to Successful Reimbursements (SUFS)

Leah Brooks
Feb 24, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jul 30

Busy students learning about pollinators & host plants at the Albertus Cottage Wildflower Garden in Orange City, FL.

Planting flowers, specifically Florida natives, host plants (to host insect larvae), and nectar plants (for bees and butterflies), can provide an exciting outdoor classroom for your students!Florida is home to 180 native butterfly species and over 300 native bee species. Your young scientist can explore Florida's rich ecosystem by planting for bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.

THE BIG QUESTION!

If butterfly (pollinator) gardening is so educational, why do Step Up processors sometimes deny flowers? This happens when processors and parents disagree on whether a plant is ornamental or part of a pollinator or butterfly garden.

CHOOSE FLORIDA NATIVES! - it's a no-brainer!

Choose Florida native wildflowers for your child's garden!

Attract pollinators
Adds to the beauty of the garden
Improve soil health
Prevent erosion
Simple: no fertilizers or soil amendments needed!
Improve water quality
Reduces water use (no irrigation needed once established)
Provide food and shelter to native animals
Contribute to biodiversity
Increases food production in the vegetable garden
Provides your child natural opportunities to make 'curriculum connections'.

Resources for choosing native wildflowers for your area:

The fantastic folks at the Florida Wildflower Foundation are an incredible resource for families looking to learn about Florida natives and their impact on the ecosystem. Their fascinating website has printables, kids activities, and curriculum that will help you on your journey!

Let's Make it Educational!

Turn curiosity into real-world learning with the Let’s Plan! Student’s Guide to Florida Wildflowers Bundle—a complete, hands-on resource designed to help students explore, understand, and grow Florida’s native wildflowers. Available here or on MyScholarShop (search my name: Leah Brooks).

This thoughtfully designed bundle combines three engaging resources that guide students from learning to doing:

Let’s Plan! Learn All About Florida Wildflowers ebook: This foundational guide explains what wildflowers are, why native plants matter, and how they support entire ecosystems. Students learn about pollinators, birds, small mammals, amphibians, fireflies, and how wildflower patches act as a “wildlife superhighway.” It connects science, ecology, and real-world application in a way that’s simple and meaningful.

Let’s Plan! Wildflower & Native Plants Planner & Activity ebook: This hands-on planner walks students step-by-step through designing their own Florida wildflower garden. From sun-mapping their yard and understanding soil, to choosing plants that bloom in different seasons, to caring for pollinators year-round — it’s all here. Students don’t just read… they plan, sketch, observe, and build a real garden space that supports bees, butterflies, birds, and small wildlife.

Let’s Plan! 25 Easy-to-Grow Florida Native Plants ebook: This guide highlights 25 beautiful, easy native plants that thrive in Florida’s unique climate. Each plant includes bloom season, hardiness zones, soil and sun preferences, and exactly which pollinators it attracts — from monarch caterpillars to native bees to hummingbirds. It’s designed to help families and students choose the right plants with confidence.

Together, these resources create a meaningful learning experience that blends science, nature study, and life skills. Students won’t just read about wildflowers—they’ll observe, plan, and grow them, gaining a deeper understanding of how native plants support pollinators, ecosystems, and the environment.