Program framework
What it separatesFlorida-Friendly is a framework and not a native-status label UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly guidance (opens in a new tab).
What it does not settleNative status.
Research Routing
Separating Florida-Friendly, Native, and Coastal Landscape Research Questions
Library Return and Hub Scope
This page helps distinguish broad category terms before you return to Resources or proceed to an article.
Terminology and Attribute Separation Matrix
| Field | What it separates | What it does not settle |
|---|---|---|
| Program framework | Florida-Friendly is a framework and not a native-status label UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly guidance (opens in a new tab). | Native status. |
| Native status | Native status is distinct from program terminology. | Coastal or salt-label questions. |
| Coastal/exposure context | Coastal context can raise separate salt-related questions UF/IFAS soil salinity guidance (opens in a new tab). | Whether a site has a condition. |
| Site-selection variables | Selection attributes are separate from broad labels UF/IFAS plant selection and siting guidance (opens in a new tab). | Property questions. |
Native status
What it separatesNative status is distinct from program terminology.
What it does not settleCoastal or salt-label questions.
Coastal/exposure context
What it separatesCoastal context can raise separate salt-related questions UF/IFAS soil salinity guidance (opens in a new tab).
What it does not settleWhether a site has a condition.
Site-selection variables
What it separatesSelection attributes are separate from broad labels UF/IFAS plant selection and siting guidance (opens in a new tab).
What it does not settleProperty questions.
Choose a Research Topic
Start with the topic that best matches your question.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principles
Understand the statewide framework, what it does and does not require, and how to apply its principles to a particular property.Coastal Landscape Conditions
Separate the coastal look from the physical exposures that affect planting, placement, and long-term maintenance.Understanding Salt-Tolerance Labels
Evaluate whether a label refers to foliage, roots, irrigation water, or a broader coastal setting before treating it as a plant recommendation.Researching Florida Native Plants
Move beyond the statewide native label by comparing local conditions, intended function, database limits, and plant origin.Moving from General Research Labels to Site Evidence
General labels do not settle a property-specific question, and property-specific evidence belongs beyond this category.
Project Planning Pathways
The next guide for landscape design is relevant only when general research no longer resolves a project-specific question.