If you’re reading this, you may have noticed a disturbance in the Florida-Friendly force… Yes, one of the original websites for Florida-Friendly Landscaping has disappeared from the interwebs.
Meanwhile, if you’ve visited some of the other FFL pages recently, you may have noticed a very different look.
Or maybe you’ve found that your bookmarked links don’t go where they used to?
Here’s the quick scoop…
Once upon a time, there were actually two parallel sets of websites dedicated to Florida-Friendly Landscaping – floridayards.org and ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/. Recently, the resources at ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ received a massive update and got a fresh new look. (Yay!)
On the other hand, the content over at floridayards.org (such as the “Interactive Yard” feature) was mostly Flash-based, and could no longer be supported effectively. The plant selection database was long-overdue for some major updates too. Ultimately, the decision was made to retire the floridayards.org site…
Need a Plant Selection Guide?
If you previously enjoyed using the plant selection guide over at floridayards.org, allow me to share some great alternative options to help you keep on picking the “right plant, right place.”
Saint Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) Waterwise Guide – This is a very user-friendly, searchable online plant selection guide. It includes both native & non-invasive “Florida-Friendly” options. This guide allows you to select plant type (i.e. groundcover, flower, ferns, trees, vines, etc.), soil conditions, salt tolerance, plant height, growth characteristics, flower color, etc. It includes photos for many plants. (Bonus – If you want to search for a plant by name, it includes a helpful “sounds-like” option, perfect for when you don’t know the exact spelling of a plant’s name!)
Florida Native Plant Society – This is a searchable plant selection guide specifically for Florida native plants. LINK: http://www.fnps.org/plants This guide allows you to search for specific plants, or to choose your range/county, select site characteristics, salt tolerance, etc. Recently updated with improved navigation & new photos!
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Plant Selection Guide – Last, but not least… the online version of the FFL Plant Selection Guide has recently been updated too! Browse the entire list, or search for plants using a variety of filters. It includes native & non-invasive “Florida-Friendly” options: LINK: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/
The missing link(s)…
With all these big updates and changes, there are bound to be some hiccups. Maybe you had a favorite link that no longer works… Or your trusty bookmarks are leading you in circles… Don’t despair! We’re here to help! If you can’t locate your favorite FFL resources, feel free to leave me a comment or send an email. Chances are, I may have already found the page you’re looking for. If so, I can quickly steer you in the right direction. Likewise, I’m happy to do some digging to find the info you’re seeking. After all, that’s what Extension is all about… We bring UF to you.
By Frank Galdo
About the Author
As one of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Program Coordinators in Pasco County, I enjoy helping people create & maintain vibrant landscapes that DON’T require a lot of water, fertilizer, and pesticides to look their best. Through an innovative collaboration with Pasco County Utilities, I also provide targeted on-site troubleshooting outreach to help those individuals and communities identified as high water users. My motto is – “Less guesswork, better landscapes.” I can be reached at fgaldo@ufl.edu
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Have a question, or an idea for a future post? Let me know at fgaldo@ufl.edu or leave a comment below.
About UF/IFAS Extension: UF/IFAS Extension serves as a source of non-biased, research-based information for the residents, businesses, and communities of Florida, providing educational materials and programs for adults and youth. We proudly bring UF to you.
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