Meet New Statewide UF/IFAS Master Gardener Coordinator Wendy Wilber

The Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology recently named Alachua County environmental horticulture agent Wendy Wilber statewide coordinator for the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Program.

Center Stage

As is the wont of master gardeners, last week Ms. Wilber was a featured speaker at Disney EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival. To audiences throughout the day, she instructed on plant propagation - demonstrating several resourceful and inexpensive methods for multiplying plants.

Wendy Wilber demonstrates how to divide a mondo grass bunch

“People want to learn how to share plants. It’s a great way to keep a special plant growing,” Ms. Wilber said. “Propagation is a topic that gardeners want to know about. It’s a little bit more of an advanced topic, but it’s a good skill for them to have.”

Using color in the landscape at the International Flower and Garden Festival

“Florida is at an interesting time right now, 

and master gardeners are uniquely poised 

to bring good Florida-Friendly landscaping 

information to the public.”

-Wendy Wilber

The Festival

The International Flower and Garden Festival is an annual Disney EPCOT event showcasing landscaping practices for beautification and sustainability. This year features Illuminated Gardens, a butterfly area and over a dozen Disney-themed topiaries scattered throughout.

Yes, you can be colorful and Florida-Friendly

One of more than a dozen Disney-themed topiaries (image by Michael Dukes)

Edibles are a great addition to any Florida garden

Ms. Wilber noted that the event expertly captures the gardening pulse of the moment. “You can always see the trends here at the EPCOT festival. Right now the edible trend is hot. Raise beds. Hydroponics. Those are all featured in the idea and discovery gardens. People can take these ideas back home and if they have problems they can contact their local master gardeners.”