Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Brief Summary of Business Minutes:

October 28, 2022, 1 to 4 pm MST – Zoom

All participants introduced themselves

Minutes from last year (2021)

• Typographical errors were resolved and the minutes were approved.

NIFA Update (Vance Owens)

• USDA NIFA provides extramural funds that might be of interest to the group.
  • AFRI program (flagship competitive program)
    • Foundational applied science RFA offers a host of priorities
    • 2023-2024 RFA will be revealed soon
    • Pests, species, agricultural production systems, pollinator health (A1113), plant breeding – ag production, plant breeding – cultivar development, physiology of agricultural plants (A1152), plant abiotic interactions
  • Plant biotic interactions (interagency with NSF). Could be of interest for a multistate project.
  • New investigator and seed grants
  • Western SARE
    • Always looking for new reviewers
  • Vast majority of NIFA employees are still working remotely. Reach out to a leader for a national program if you have questions.
  • Question by Gail: can you comment on the perception of native plants in the SARE program? It seems ornamental plants were not given priority, only food-based plants.
    • All agricultural commodities are eligible, including ornamentals.
    • Western SARE is managed in a unique way. Administrative council from each region plays a big role in the funding priorities. Vance recommends involvement in these capacities to try and make the case for other commodities (ornamental) that should be better represented.
  • Entered in chat
    • AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program (https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/agriculture-food-research-initiative-foundational-applied-science)
    • These are some of the AFRI FAS program area priorities that I thought would be of most interest to this group. Please look through the entire RFA since there are many others as well: A1112 Pests & Beneficial Species in Agricultural Production Systems; A1113 Pollinator Health: Research and Application; A1141 Plant Breeding for Agricultural Production; A1143 Conventional Plant Breeding for Cultivar Development; A1152 Physiology of Agricultural Plants; A1171 Plant Biotic Interactions
    • You can go to this link to volunteer to serve on a NIFA peer review panel: https://nifa.usda.gov/panelist-information

Membership report and discussion about strategies to reach out to new members

• (Gail L.) Question regarding the qualifications for membership in WERA
  • Anyone can join. The program is run by the land grant universities. Anyone with Hatch funding is encouraged to participate in the multistate projects.
  • Experiment station directors facilitate the travel for the in-person meetings.
• (Donald M.) Would it benefit to include industry partners in this group?
  • We do have industry partners on our listserv and we could have more industry partners attend in the virtual forum.
  • Open to the industry.
  • (Esther M.) We could expand to other states that are still not represented with the group.
  • This is an active goal.

Renewal of WERA (Tracy Dougher)

• WERA 1013 is in its final year. If we want it to continue, we need to write a proposal to extend the group. We can access the original proposal in NIMSS (nimss.org) to get an idea of the original purpose of the group. Outline goals for moving forward.
  • To avoid a lapse in project activities a proposal to renew is due January 15th, 2023
  • The annual report should be written as the terminal report (5^th annual)
  • Gail L., Orville B., Brandon M. have volunteered to write a new proposal.
• Orville posed the question of what we would want the proposal to look like relative to the original proposal.
  • Two pages. Example would be: https://www.nimss.org/projects/view/mrp/outline/18508
  • Tracy recommended focusing on the goals/objectives and outlining who will reach them
• Heidi thinks Extension could be explicitly mentioned in Obj. 2.
• Tracy: current objectives: Enhance interstate cooperation in marketing new native plant materials and cultivars, especially plants that facilitate water conservation and pollinator protection. Coordinate regional efforts to provide education to both the public and industry professionals on native plant propagation/production, water conservation benefits and use in ornamental landscapes, and maintenance of native-plant-dominated ornamental landscapes for efficiency of water use.
• Orville: Objectives: 1) Establish a regional system for the development, evaluation, and introduction of new native plant materials; 2) Coordinate regional efforts to provide education to both public and industry professionals on native plant use, propagation, and production.”
• Proposed that we should modify the language to remove (inter-mountain) to a more comprehensive “western” group.
• NIMSS website information is the proposal.
• Tracy will send a reminder for everyone to go in and become a participant of the next phase, which may be listed as “2013”.
• Orville: who should the proposal be submitted to? We can send it to Tracy.

Updates on Collaborative research, education, and grant activities

Gail L: updates on USDA SCRI planning grant ‘Growing a U.S. Native Plant Nursery Network to Sustainably Meet the Demand for Native Plants in Ornamental Landscapes’

• The idea here is to use a planning grant to create a network (modeled after FANS) that helps growers share information regarding native plants in the nursery trade.
• Gail shared some information on the planning grant: https://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/91067/crisassist.txt
• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WFOHXJwTYROkWy48VbYou97rfNAw3VkR/edit#gid=83275058
• A survey will be generated and sent to the list of native plant nurseries: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2hlYZtMn8Ej2Nsa
• https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/nativeplantconnection/

Discussion:

• Ursula S. considers this to be a useful tool for the native plant nursery industry. Ursula recommends that the survey be forwarded on to the initial recipients to expand the reach.
• Project aims to focus on audiences that feed into the ornamental plant industry specifically.

Heidi: Tracy mentioned that Gail’s project would be a good goal/objective for this working group. Heidi wonders if this would be a good goal for a larger multi-state proposal. This group previously attempted to acquire funding through the ‘specialty crop multistate project’.

• Would anyone be interested in another attempt at a large multistate grant opportunity?

Admin Report (Tracy)

• Everyone needs to write their station report
• We need a terminal report
• We also need to nominate a new chair-elect/secretary
• Impact statements for a lay audience
• Multi-state group – each university representative needs to send in their station report which is a summary of the work they are doing.
• Heidi mentioned there is a template (attached to last year’s WERA 1013 agenda) and Orville can send them out.

Finding another host for the mailing list (Karen Panter)

• Karen is retiring and needs to find a new host for the mailing list. This needs to happen before mid-December.
• It is a group email that helps keep track of all the individuals who participate in the group.
• Not an extensive time requirement. Six or so times a year there needs to be a few minutes spent giving it attention. The most time-consuming part is setting up the email list.
• A message needs to specifically be sent to the admin to have an email address added to the listserv.
• Heidi asked if there is a way to get this done via NIMSS.
• Tracy may speak with the western region director to learn if there are any updates in the queue for NIMSS or any other program to host the listserv.
• Karen can send the list to Orville and then when we identify someone willing to migrate the list to a new system, that list can be shared with them.
• Idea from Kristina H.: https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/nativeplantconnection/

Planning for a Hawaii meeting in Sept. 2024

• Virtual meeting in 2023 then an in-person meeting in Sept. 2024 in conjunction with ASHS
• Brandon M. makes a motion to hold a virtual in 2023 and in person in Hawaii in 2024 (around the time of ASHS). Heidi and Esther second the motion. 13 votes (majority) in favor.

Nomination and election of secretary/incoming chair

• Brandon M. nominates Esther McGinnis (NDSU) as secretary and incoming chair of WERA (to take over as chair in 2024). Esther McGinnis accepted the nomination. A vote was held, and majority are in favor of Esther M. taking over as secretary/incoming chair in 2023 and chair in 2024.

Next meeting scheduled for October 6, 2023 (Friday)

Business meeting adjourned at 2:40 pm

Participants delivered research reports from their states.

Collaborative Accomplishments, Impacts, and Outcomes

Since its inception in 2018, participants of WERA-1013 have collaborated in various capacities to fulfill the group’s objectives.

Objective 1: Establish a regional system for the development, evaluation, and introduction of new native plant materials

In the past five years, members of the group have traveled to various locations in the Western Region to collect plant germplasm adapted to harsh environments.Identification of such germplasm is important as members of the group work together to assess newly collected taxa fortheirpotentialasmarketableintroductionstohorticulturalcommerce.Several members of WERA-1013 collaborated to submit a proposal to acquire funding overcome barriers to increased use of native plants in managed landscapes.

Objective 2: Coordinate regional efforts to provide education to both public and industry professionals on native plant use, propagation, and production

The WERA- 1013 website was established to provide a source of useful information for native plant enthusiasts in the Rocky Mountain west. In the past five years, species descriptions have been added to the website. Initially the website was housed at the University of Wyoming. In 2021 the website was moved to Utah State University (https://cwel.usu.edu/westernnativeplants/). A mailing list was also established and is currently being migrated to Utah State University.

In 2021, WERA 1013 provided a letter of support to SCRI Strategic Planning Project Proposal, titled ‘Growing a U.S. Native Plant Nursery Network to Sustainably Meet the Demand for Native Plants in Ornamental Landscapes’. The WERA-1013 working group is collaborating on this project, by:

• participating in a regional or national native plant grower network
• serving as experts who contributes to the Zoom educational series (e.g. native seed production and development of native ornamental plant selections)
• helping to disseminate the survey to our network, to identify industry needs and knowledge/resource gaps
• joining the team that crafts an SCRI SREP during the 2022-2023 funding cycle, that addresses the research and extension priorities identified via the industry survey

Members of WERA-1013 from North Dakota and Minnesota have partnered to share educational programming on native plants, leading to greater impacts on clients in industry and the general public than would be the case if each state catered only to those within its borders.

A total of 121 publications, including presentations, conference abstracts and peer-reviewed papers were delivered by various WERA 1013 members. North Dakota State University Extension, in a collaboration with the University of Minnesota, has an active pollinator education program that educates the public, Master Gardeners, and the nursery industry on the use of native perennial plants to nourish pollinators. In 2021, 21 individuals or institutions qualified for a free pollinator garden sign in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. These pollinator gardens/meadows totaled 45,895 square feet.

State-level Accomplishments (2022)

Arizona

Conducted experiment to determine irrigation needs of shrubs, including native shrubs, to determine the water needs of these plants and to promote low water use taxa in the arid Southwest.

Hawaii

Public release of a native Hawaiian plant selection: Germplasm release manuscript of Jacquemontia sandwicensis ‘Leeward Community College White was published in HortScience. ‘Leeward Community College White’ is a Jacquemontia sandwicensis selection suitable for hanging baskets and as a ground cover. Cuttings and plants of Jacquemontia sandwicensis ‘Puhala Bay’ and ‘Leeward Community College White’ as well as Peperomia sandwicensis ‘Palikea’ have been distributed to botanical gardens/arboretum, nurseries, hotels/resorts and native plant enthusiasts.

Micropropagation of Peperomia sandwicensis: Sterilization and microcutting acclimatization techniques for Peperomia sandwicensis ‘Palikea’ and ‘Ekahanui’ have been developed. A manuscript of this is currently being prepared.

Stem cutting propagation of variegated Scaevola taccada: Application of 2,500 to 10,000 ppm of indole-3-butyric acid improved rooting characteristics of apical stem cuttings.

Alleviating seed dormancy in Carex wahuensis: Four months of warm stratification, followed by short term cold exposure (6°C to 14°C) improved germination of seeds.

Idaho

Acquisition of New Plant Material:

Native plant collection activities are integral to the University of Idaho native plant domestication project. Local collection forays were planned and conducted on Big Southern Butte of Butte County, and the Bone area of Bingham County in southern Idaho. A very successful, more extensive 5-day collection foray was conducted in the Chiricahua and Huachuca Mountains of Cochise County in southeastern Arizona. A total of 123 accessions, obtained as stem or root cuttings, were obtained as a result of these collections activities – most from the Arizona foray. Most accessions consisted of flowering herbaceous perennials and lesser numbers of woody and grass species. Cuttings were transported to the Aberdeen R & E Center where they were stuck in pots for rooting overwintering, and subsequent grow-out for evaluation purposes.

Evaluation and Selection of Native Plant Accessions:

Native plant species, collected over the past 17 years, were subjected continuing evaluation at the Aberdeen R & E Center. New accessions were simply exposed to irrigation stress and cold winter conditions to allow selection for drought tolerance and hardiness. Accessions established in the field for two or more years were evaluated extensively for soil and climate adaptation, mature appearance, flower color, bloom period, plant longevity, pest issues, and general horticultural value. Inferior species/accessions were systematcally rogued from evaluation plots. Superior accessions were subjected to partial elimination and seed collection in a process of mass selection, with the objective of producing better performing, more uniform native plant products.

Native Plant Seed Increases

After completion of mass selection, seed was harvested from superior accessions and used to establish parental plants within a seed increase block. Subsequently, seeds harvested from increase blocks are legally transferred to the University of Idaho’s Native Roots, LLC industry partner.

New Product Transfers

In the spring of 2022, 4 native plant accessions expressing superior traits relative to market potential were legally transferred to Native Roots, LLC for establishment within their commercial-scale seed increase field. Transferred domesticated species products included:

Townsendia rothrockii – Rothrock’s Townsend daisy

Silene petersonii – Plateau catchfly

Pyroccoma crocea – Curly head goldenweed

Koeleria macrantha – Prairie junegrass

Public Releases of Domesticated Native Plants

Due to residual COVID-19 market-related issues, combined with expenditures of time and money dedicated toward increasing production volume for native plant products, our Native Roots, LLC partner delayed public releases of new native plant products until the spring of 2023.

Minnesota

Evaluated predicted drought tolerance of ten taxa belonging to the genus Populus, six of which are endemic to North America. Screening utilized vapor pressure osmometry to determine the leaf osmotic potential and leaf turgor loss point in both spring and summer (2022) as well as osmotic adjustment throughout the 2022 growing season. Data indicate differences between taxa and create a relative ranking of drought tolerance.

North Dakota

NDSU Extension has an active pollinator education program where we educate the public, Extension Master Gardeners and the nursery industry on the use of native perennial plants to nourish pollinators. Extension Master Gardener groups constructed four new pollinator teaching gardens in 2022 in Grand Forks, Cass, Ransom, and Ward Counties to serve as inspiration and education for local gardeners. As part of the program, gardeners, farmers, and institutions can apply for a free “Certified Pollinator Garden” sign through the Extension Master Gardener Program if they plant new pollinator gardens/meadows or if they retrofit existing gardens to be pollinator-friendly. The use of native plants are strongly encouraged. In the past year, 21 individuals or institutions qualified for a free pollinator garden sign in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. These pollinator gardens/meadows totaled 45,895 square feet.

In addition, the Extension Master Gardener Program planted three new public pollinator gardens in Grand Forks, Burleigh, and Dickey Counties to be used for pollinator education in the coming year.

Wyoming

The WERA1013 Intermountain Native Plants web site was moved from the University of Wyoming to Utah State University in the spring of 2021. The new site address is https://cwel.usu.edu/westernnativeplants/. The email list- serve is still hosted by the University of Wyoming but plans are underway to migrate the email list-serve to another university.

Utah

Maintained the WERA-1013 Intermountain Native Plants web site at Utah State University and added two plant profiles (“Rocky Mountain Maple in the Landscape” and “Purple avens in the Landscape” by Stephen Love at the University of Idaho).

Acquisition of New Plant Material: a witches’ broom on a Pinus edulis (two-needle pinyon pine) tree at Utah State University campus was found and grafted on rootstocks of P. edulis seedlings in a Utah Agricultural Experiment Station (UAES)’s hoop house on 25 February 2022. By 6 September 2022, 75% (45/60) and 47% (14/30) grafts took for scionwoods collected from the witches’ broom selection and mother plant, respectively.

Evaluation, Selection, and Propagation of Native Plant Accessions:

• Five native plant selections [Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), Cercocarpus montanus ‘Coy’ (true or alder-leaf mountain mahogany), Hymenoxys acaulis arizonica 'Sol Dancer' (‘Sol Dancer’ daisy), Paxistima myrsinites (mountain lover), and grafted Pinus edulis (two-needle pinyon pine, BUT4)] were transplanted at UAES’s Greenville Research Farm in 2021. In 2022, Penstemon strictus'Rocky Mountain' and Penstemon barbatus ‘Blue’ (beardtongue, rock candy series) were transplanted. Plants were irrigated when the cumulative evapotranspiration (ET₀) reached 0.90 inches, recorded using a Utah AgWeather Station (Utah Climate Center, Logan, UT). In 2022 and 2023, plants will be irrigated at 20%, 50%, or 80% ET₀ for 20 weeks from May to September. Plant visual quality, morphological and physiological parameters will be recorded monthly in 2022 and 2023.
• Six native plants [Amelanchier pumila (dwarf serviceberry), Arctosthaphylos uva-ursi (kinninnick), Ceanothus velutinus (snowbrush ceanothus), Cercocarpus montanus (alder-leaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus montanus ‘Coy’ (alder-leaf mountain mahogany) and Shepherdia utahensis ‘Torrey’ (hybrid buffaloberry)] were evaluated for salinity tolerance in a UAES’s research greenhouse.
• Cutting propagations were conducted for six native species/cultivars, including Ceanothus prostrate (pinemat), Cercocarpus montanus ‘Coy’ (alder-leaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus ledifolius intricatus ‘Double Dawn’ (little leaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intricatus ‘Hoodoo’ (little leaf mountain mahogany), and Paxistima myrsinites (mountain lover).
• Sixty grafts were made to propagate a witches’ broom found on a Pinus edulis (two-needle pinyon pine) tree at Utah State University campus, and 30 grafts were also made using scionwoods collected from the mother plant. Pinus edulis seedlings were used as rootstocks. Forty-eight grafts were made in a UAES’s hoop house using Pinus edulis (two-needle pinyon pine) accessions selected by Brigham Young University as scions.
• Two field trial plots were established. Grafted Pinus edulis (two-needle pinyon pine) trees (BUT1, BUT3, BUT4) were transplanted in UAES’s Blue Creek Research Farm and a private farmland in Washington County, UT in May - June 2022.

Utah State University delivered 15 presentations, published 8 conference abstracts on HortScience, and published 4 peer-reviewed papers on Frontiers in Plant Science (1 paper) and Native Plants Journal (3 papers).

New Product Transfers: four new releases developed at Utah State University have been licensed for Cache Valley Nursery (Hyrum, UT) to propagate, grow, sell, and distribute them in the United States and Canada. They are Cercocarpus montanus ‘Coy’ (alder-leaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intricatus ‘Double Dawn’ (little leaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus ledifolius var. intricatus ‘Hoodoo’ (little leaf mountain mahogany), and Shepherdia utahensis ‘Torrey’ (hybrid buffaloberry).

Activities (2022)

Arizona

Determined how 15 species/cultivars performed regarding growth and aesthetic quality when irrigated with different amounts of water for one season (2022) after getting established with ample water the previous season. Held two field days to receive input from green industry professionals and other plant enthusiasts to rate the plants for aesthetic preferences in late summer and fall.

Idaho

Research activities include development of native plant nursery products utilizing a dedicated domestication procedure that involves: collection from wild populations, field establishment, evaluation, cyclical mass selection, seed or propagule increase, and industry transfer.

Extension activities include demonstration of native plant efficacy in public gardens and educational events for professionals and the general public on topics related to native plant landscaping and water-conserving landscape design.

Hawaii

Distributed 30 potted plants and 81 cuttings of Jacquemontia sandwicensis ‘Puhala Bay’ to 2 botanical gardens, 4 nurseries, 2 hotels/resorts and 3 individuals. Distributed 13 potted plants and 81 cuttings of Jacquemontia sandwicensis ‘Leeward Community College White’ to 1 botanical garden, 4 nurseries, 2 hotels/resorts and 1 individual. Distributed 4 potted plants and 27 cuttings of Peperomia sandwicensis ‘Palikea’ to 1 botanical garden, 3 nurseries and 1 individual.

Minnesota

Collected wild germplasm from Minnesota and Colorado; acquired over 20 accessions to evaluate in the living collections of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Among the collections are accessions belonging to the following genera: Aronia, Betula, Cornus, Lonicera, Populus, Salix, Sorbus, and Symphoricarpos.

North Dakota

The NDSU Extension Horticulturist, her post-doctoral researcher, and her Ph.D. student delivered twelve presentations either in person or via Zoom on planting native perennial pollinator plants and grasses. These presentations reached 1182 gardeners and green industry personnel.

Utah

Collected a witches’ broom of Pinus edulis (two-needle pinyon pine) tree at Utah State University campus in February 2022.

Transplanted two native plant selections [Penstemon strictus 'Rocky Mountain' and Penstemon barbatus ‘Blue’ (beardtongue, rock candy series)] for deficit irrigation trials at UAES’s Greenville Research Farm in July 2022.

Evaluated six native plants [Amelanchier pumila (dwarf serviceberry), Arctosthaphylos uva-ursi (kinninnick), Ceanothus velutinus (snowbrush ceanothus), Cercocarpus montanus (alder-leaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus montanus ‘Coy’ (alder-leaf mountain mahogany) and Shepherdia utahensis ‘Torrey’ (hybrid buffaloberry)] for salinity tolerance in a UAES’s research greenhouse. 

Evaluated the timing for cutting collection, different rooting hormones, types of cuttings (terminal and stem cuttings) for cutting propagation of Cercocarpus montanus (alder-leaf mountain mahogany) in May, July, and September 2022.

Grafted 138 Pinus edulis (two-needle pinyon pine) onto Pinus edulis (double-needle pinyon pine) in February 2022.

Established two field trial plots with grafted Pinus edulis (two-needle pinyon pine) trees (BUT1, BUT3, BUT4) in UAES’s Blue Creek Research Farm and a private farmland in Washington County, UT in May-June 2022.

Disseminated research results at local, regional, and national conferences.

Short-term Outcomes (2022)

Arizona

Establish irrigation needs of shrubs by exposing different taxa to three irrigation regimes (20, 50, and 80% of local reference evapotranspiration). Evaluation of growth, aesthetic performance, and resistance to abiotic and biotic stressors will determined which shrub species/cultivars are low input and low water use. Green industry professionals and anyone planting shrubs will gain specific knowledge about water use of the plants tested and their performance in arid landscapes of the Southwest.

Hawaii

Distribution of newly released native plant materials will increase availability and diversity of native Hawaiian plants in the landscape and nursery trade. Propagation research on Carex wahuensis, Peperomia sandwicensis and Scaevola taccada will contribute to the body of knowledge aimed at understanding rooting and seed dormancy loss in these native Hawaiian species. Techniques derived from this work can be communicated and utilized by the landscape and nursery industries.

Idaho

The foremost outcome for the Idaho native plant domestication research/education project is development of new and improved native plant products for potential use by the western U.S. landscape nursery industry. Inclusive of the 4 species transferred to Native Roots, LLC in 2022, a total of 217 products have been legally transferred to industry. Fifty-six of these species are being actively marketed. Native Roots, LLC is increasing company production potential and continues efforts to create partnerships with production, wholesale, and retail nurseries in several Rocky Mountain states to expand the market for these products.

An important secondary outcome is improved consumer understanding of the value of native plant in increasing landscape sustainability, inclusive of water-conservation, urban habitat creation, and native pollinator support. In 2022, educational information was delivered through web sites, conferences, workshops, and field days.

North Dakota

Education on the value of native plants for pollinator habitat was provided to the gardening public and to the green industry.

Wyoming

The email list-serve is currently being moved from the University of Wyoming to Utah State University.

Utah

The development of new and improved native plant products for landscape use by the green industry in Utah and the Intermountain West.

Four selected/domesticated accessions were licensed to Cache Valley Nursery, Hyrum, UT, in May 2021, bringing the total number of product transfers to 8 (Sego Supreme™ Plant Introduction Program). Pineae Greenhouses and Takao Nursery continues to create partnerships with production, wholesale, and retail nurseries in several western states to expand the market for these products.

Research results and publications increased knowledge about whole plant responses to water stresses, the reliability and adaptability of native plants in water-efficient landscapes, and propagation techniques of native plants. Research results are delivered through peer-reviewed publications, and local, regional, and national conferences. As a result, citizens of Utah and the western U.S. have a greater awareness of the value of native plants, indicated by ever-increasing demands, requests, and inquiries for native plants.

Outputs (2022)

Arizona

Maintained 15 species of shrubs at the Campus Agricultural Center in Tucson, AZ through the fall of 2022 and irrigated plants to at three levels to determine growth and development.

Hawaii

Presented 2 posters (Carex wahuensis seed dormancy loss and application of IBA on improving rooting of Scaevola taccada stem cuttings) at the ASHS Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Presented research updates at the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association Research Seminar in Hilo, Hawaii.

Idaho

The most significant output is the delivery of drought tolerant plant materials to the nursery industry, distributed via a partnership agreement with the Native Roots, LLC. Other outputs include extension programming, including a web presence and contributions to workshops, field days, and conferences aimed at education on topics related to water-conserving landscape practices.

Minnesota

The Minnesota station is in the process of preparing a manuscript for submission to the peer-reviewed journal Hortscience: B.M. Miller.  Predicted Drought Tolerance of Poplars and Aspens for Use in Managed Landscapes.

Wyoming

Work continues on adding new plant descriptions to the web site.

Utah

Two cultivars released to Cache Valley Nursery (Hyrum, UT) are about to sell in 2023.

Peer-reviewed papers and conference abstracts (presentations) have been published on Frontiers in Plant Science, Native Plants Journal, and HortScience.

North Dakota

We are in the process of finalizing two publications:

1. A peer-reviewed journal article entitled, Pollinators and Other Insect Visitations on Native and Ornamental Perennials in Two Landscapes. This publication will be submitted to HortScience in the near future
2. A NDSU Extension publication entitled, Monarch Conservation Gardens in the Northern Plains.

Milestones (2022)

Arizona

Treatments of species were on track with the planned irrigation regimes starting in April 2022 until the end of October 2022.

Idaho

The prominent milestone for the Idaho native plant domestication project is delivery of valuable and publicly acceptable plant products. In spite of restrictions imposed by COVID-19, development and transfer of new products progressed at a near-typical pace. The exception being a delay in public release of new native plant products.

A secondary milestone is effective delivery of educational materials on native plant topics, delivered through annual field days, demonstration gardens, instructional publications, workshops and conferences, and social media. This milestone was achieved in 2021, although, educational delivery systems were modified due to essential COVID-19 social distancing protocols.

Utah

The most critical milestone for the Utah native plant selection and introduction projects is the delivery of four potentially valuable and publicly acceptable plant products to Cache Valley Nursery, Hyrum, UT. Plants are about to sell in 2023. A secondary milestone is effective delivery of native plant utilization information through presentations at local, regional, and national conferences and peer-reviewed publications.

A USDA grant has been awarded to determine the potential of Acer grandidentatum (bigtooth maple) and Acer negundo (boxelder) for maple syrup production, in collaboration with the University of Idaho and University of Wyoming.

centers throughout the region the last weekend in May introducing to the public the 2021 + 2022 Plant Select® introductions and recommendations.

2022

1. Chen, J., Y. Sun, K. Kopp, L. Oki, S.B. Jones, and L. Hipps. 2022. Effects of water availability on leaf trichome density and plant growth and development of Shepherdia ×utahensis ‘Torrey’. Frontiers in Plant Science. 13: 1-14.
2. Paudel, A., Y. Sun, L.A. Rupp, J.G. Carman, and S.L. Love. 2022. Vegetative propagation of Ceanothus velutinus using stem cuttings. Native Plant Journal 23(1): 123-129.
3. Lawson, K.C., L.A. Rupp, Y. Sun, and R. Newhall. 2021. Propagation of pinyon pine: Topworking Pinus monophylla to Pinus edulis Native Plants Journal 22(3): 280-292.
4. Lawson, K.C., L.A. Rupp, Y. Sun, R. Newhall, and C. Reid. 2021. Propagating selected Pinus monophylla accessions by grafting to Pinus edulis seedling rootstocks. Native Plants Journal 22(3): 293-305.
5. Paudel A, Sun Y, Rupp LA, Carman JC, Love SL. 2020. Vegetative propagation of Ceanothus velutinus using stem cuttings. Native Plants Journal 23(1):123-129.
6. Tilley D, Hulet A, Bushman S, Goebel C, Karl J, Love S, Wolf M. 2022. When a weed is not a weed: succession management using early seral natives for Intermountain rangeland restoration. Rangelands 44(4):270-280.
7. Love SL, Wolfe A. 2022. Penstemon spotlight – Penstemon debilis. Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society 80:2-9.
8. Love SL, Pierce B, Pierce K. 2022. Summary of penstemon species grown and evaluated in Aberdeen, Idaho. Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society 80:42-69.
9. Love SL. 2022. Photos of special plants and places. Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society. 80:70-83.
10. Huff S, Love SL, Akers S. 2022. Wondering about wildflowers: A wildflower guide for the Central and Northern Rocky Mountains, Second Edition. Self-published by Sharon Huff, Phoenix, AZ.
11. Love SL. 2022. Purple avens in the landscape. Published in the WERA-1013 Working Group website.
12. Love SL. 2022. Mountain maple in the landscape. Published in the WERA-1013 Working Group website.

Abstracts

1. Sun, Y. 2022. Sustainable landscape horticulture program. HortScience 57(9): S175-176.
2. Chen, J., Y. Sun, and K. Kopp. 2022. Detecting drought stress of penstemons using infrared thermal imaging. HortScience 57(9): S58.
3. Chen, J., J. Mathews, A. Paudel, and Y. Sun. 2022. Field trials of 26 ornamental grass and grass-like plants. HortScience 57(9): S129.
4. Paudel, A., M. Sanders, and Y. Sun. 2022. Nodulation of Ceanothus velutinus. HortScience 57(9): S5.
5. Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2022. Responses of Utah native plants to saline water irrigation. HortScience 57(9): S200.
6. Mathews, J., Y. Sun, P. Harris, K. Kopp, D. McAvoy, S. Price, and R. St. Hilaire. 2022. Determining sap yield, sugar content, and mineral compositions of boxelder and Norway maples. HortScience 57(9): S4.
7. Paudel A., Y. Sun, P. Harris, R. Wytsalucy, J.R. Stewart. 2021. Exploration of whether scionwood of single-leaf pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla), a promising nut-tree crop native to the Great Basin, USA, can be successfully grafted in the summer and fall. XV World Forestry Congress, Coex, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 2-6 May 2022.
8. Paudel A. and Y. Sun. 2021. Pinyon pine grafting: new approach for pine nut production, International Plant Propagator’s Society (IPPS) Western Region Annual Meeting, Zoom, 21 September 2021.

Presentations

1. Chen, J. and Sun, Y. 2022. An evaluation of homeowner preference to native landscape plants under deficit irrigation. Presentation at WERA-1013: Intermountain Regional Evaluation and Introduction of Native Plants Annual Meeting. Virtual. 28 October 2022.
2. Chen, J. and Sun, Y. 2022. USU Climate Ready Landscape Plants Trial. Utah State University’s Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) Virtual Field Day, CWEL, Logan, UT. 13 September 2022. 62 participants.
3. Chen, J., J. Mathews, A. Paudel, and Y. Sun. 2022. Field trials of 26 ornamental grass and grass-like plants. ASHS Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, 2 August 2022.
4. Chen, J., Y. Sun, and K. Kopp. 2022. Detecting drought stress of penstemons using infrared thermal imaging. ASHS Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, 31 July 2022.
5. Chen, J. 2022. Using thermal imaging to detect plant water status. American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Annual Conference, Chicago, IL. 31 July 2022.
6. Kopp, K., Y. Sun, and L. Rupp. 2022. Water efficiency research for the landscape. Utah Water Conservation Forum Spring Conference, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District/Conservation Garden Park, West Jordan, UT, 24 May 2022. ~ 100 participants.
7. Li, L., P. Yu, Q. Li, and M. Gu. 2022. Gibberellic acid and cold stratification improve Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) germination under different collection Scientia Horticulturae 291 110606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110606.
8. Mathews, J., Y. Sun, P. Harris, K. Kopp, D. McAvoy, S. Price, and R. St. Hilaire. Determining sap yield, sugar content, and mineral compositions of boxelder and Norway maples. ASHS Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, 31 July 2022.
9. Mathews, J., Y. Sun, P. Harris, K. Kopp, D. McAvoy, and S. Price 2022. Determining sap yield, sugar content, and mineral compositions of boxelder and Norway maples. Utah State University’s Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) Virtual Field Day, CWEL, Logan, UT. 13 September 2022. 62 participants
10. Mathews, J. Determining sap yield, sugar content, and mineral compositions of boxelder and Norway maples, Departmental Seminar. Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT. 19 September 2022.
11. Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2022. Responses of Utah native plants to saline water irrigation. ASHS Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, 3 August 2022.
12. Paudel, A., M. Sanders, and Y. Sun. 2022. Nodulation of Ceanothus velutinus. ASHS Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, 31 July 2022.
13. Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2022. Response of Utah native plants to saline water irrigation. USU Student Research Symposium, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 15 April 2022.
14. Sun, Y. 2022. Sustainable landscape horticulture program, Annual Conference of American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Chicago, IL, 2 August 2022
15. Sun, Y. 2022. Alternative plants for fruit and nut production on marginal lands. Guest Lecture for HORT 3213: Fruit and Nut Production (Dr. Lu Zhang), Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Zoom, 28 March 2022.
16. Sun, Y., R. Wytsalucy, and B. Scow. 2022. Establishing pinyon pine orchards for nut production on marginal lands. 2022 Extension Annual Conference, Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, UT, 3 March 2022.

2021

1. Chen, -J., J. Norton, H. Kratsch, Y. Sun, and L. Rupp. 2021. Nodulation of Shepherdia×utahensis ‘Torrey’ and the diversity of symbiotic Frankia strains. HortScience 56(7):762-768.
2. Chen, , S. Zhen, and Y. Sun. 2021. Estimating leaf chlorophyll content of buffaloberry using normalized difference vegetation index sensors. HortTechnology 31:297-303.
3. Chen, and Y. Sun. 2021. Buffaloberry changes its leaf morphology and reflectivity under water stress. HortScience 56(9): S214.
4. Graves, R. and A. Gimondo. 2021. Phenology of annual dormancy release and its association with fruit set of Dirca occidentalis (Thymelaeaceae). Madroño 68: in press.
5. Klett, James 2021 Plant Select® promotes new plants for 2021. Colorado Green Jan/Feb Vol. 36 No. 1 40-41.
6. Klett, James 2021 2020 Top Performing Perennials. Colorado Green March/April Vol. 37 No. 2 42-43.
7. Klett, James 2021 Another reminder: Use these fastigiate trees in Colorado Landscape Colorado Geen May/June Vol. 7 No. 3 42-43.
8. Klett, James, 2021 Plant Select® recommends these plants for 2022, Colorado Green July/August Vol.37 No.4 42-43.
9. Klett, James and Lauryn Schriner 2021 Cool Season Trails yield some top picks for off-season color. Colorado Green Sept/Oct Vol. 47 No. 5 42-43.
10. Klett, James 2021 Ten Top annuals from CSU Annual Flower Trials. Colorado Green Nov/Dec Vol. 37 No. 6 42-43.
11. Klett, James 2021 Consumer Picks from 2021 Annual Flower Trials. CNGA Looseleaf October 2021.
12. Klett, James 2021 Woody Plant Trials on Western Slope of Colorado. CNGA Looseleaf Sept 2021.
13. Klett, James 2021 Boxwood Hardiness Trials. CNGA Looseleaf August 2021.
14. Klett, James 2021 Update on Heritage Arboretum at Colorado State University. CNGA Looseleaf June 2021.
15. Klett, James 2021 Deciduous trees for Winter Interest. CNGA .Looseleaf April 2021.
16. Klett, James 2021 Winter Interest with Plant Select plants in the Winter Garden. CNGA Looseleaf Feb 2021.
17. Li, , P. Yu, J. Lai, and M. Gu. 2021. Micropropagation of the potential blueberry rootstock— Vaccinium arboreum through axillary shoot proliferation. Scientia Horticulturae 280: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.109908
18. Markovic, Sean J. and James E. Klett. 2021 Plant Growth Regulator Impacts on Vegetative cutting Production of Moroccan Pincushion (Pterocephalus depressus) plants, Environ Hort, 39(2) 62-67 June 2021
19. Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2021. Determining the salt tolerance of two penstemon species using a near-continuous gradient dosing Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society 80:58-65.
20. Paudel, and Y. Sun. 2021. Propagation of single-leaf pinyon pine for pine nut production. HortScience 56(9): S159-160.
21. Rupp, , X. Dai, M. Richards, P. Harris, and R. Anderson, 2021. Vegetative propagation of bigtooth maple by layering. Native Plants Journal 22(2):124-132.
22. Sun, , A. Paudel, L.A. Rupp, J.G. Carman, and S.L. Love. 2021. Developing Ceanothus velutinus for nursery production and landscape use. HortScience 56(9): S237-238.
23. Wu, , R. Xie, G.W. Knox, H. Qin and M. Gu. 2021. Evaluating beautyberry and fig species as potential hosts of invasive crapemyrtle bark scale (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) in the U.S. HortTechnology (in press).
24. Xie, , B. Wu, M. Gu, S. Jones, J. Robbins, A. Szalanski, and H. Qin. 2021. Identification of New Crapemyrtle Bark Scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae) Hosts (Spiraea and Callicarpa) through DNA Barcoding. HortScience (in press).

2020

1. Chen, J., H. Kratsch, J. Norton, Y. Sun, and L. Rupp. 2020. Growth and nodulation of Shepherdia ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ topdressed with controlled-release fertilizer. HortScience 55:1956-1962.
2. Chen, J., H. Kratsch, J. Norton, and Y. Sun. 2020. Nodulation of Shepherdia ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ topdressed with controlled-release fertilizer. HortScience 55(9): S187-188.
3. Chen, J., S. Zhen, and Y. Sun. 2020. Using NDVI sensors to determine the chlorophyll content of Shepherdia ×utahensis ‘Torrey’. HortScience 55(9): S340.
4. Chen, J.J., H. Xing, A. Paudel, Y. Sun, and G. Niu. 2020. Gas exchange and mineral nutrition of twelve viburnum taxa irrigated with saline water. HortScience 55(8): 1242-1250. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14941-20
5. Li, Q. and M. Gu. 2020. Vegetative propagation of Elliott’s blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) by hardwood cuttings. Native Plants Journal 21(2):132–137.
6. Love, SL, Akins, CJ. Fourth summary of the native seed germination studies of Norman C. Deno: species with names beginning with letters C through E. 2020. Native Plants Journal 21(1):83-111.
7. Love, SL, Akins, CJ. Fifth summary of the native seed germination studies of Norman C. Deno: species with names beginning with letters R through Z. 2020. Native Plants Journal 21(2):150- 187.
8. Love SL and Stevens M. 2020. Penstemon jonesii. Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society 79:2-8.
9. Niu, G., Y. Sun, T. Hooks, J. Altland, H. Dou and C. Perez. 2020. Salt tolerance of hydrangea plants varied among species and cultivar within a species. Horticulturae, 6, 54; doi:10.3390/horticulturae6030054
10. Paudel A., Y. Sun, L.A. Rupp, and R. Anderson. 2020. Cercocarpus montanus ‘Coy’: a new Sego Supreme™ plant. HortScience 55(11): 1871-1875.
11. Paudel, A., Y. Sun, L.A. Rupp, J. Carman, and S. Love. 2020. Overcoming seed dormancy in two rocky mountain native shrubs: Ceanothus velutinus and Cercocarpus montanus. Native Plants Journal 21(3):353-358. http://npj.uwpress.org/content/21/3/353.
12. Paudel, A. and Y. Sun. 2020. Asexual propagation of Ceanothus velutinus. HortScience 55(9): S34.
13. Paudel, A., J. Chen, and Y. Sun, 2020. Determining the salt tolerance of two penstemons using a near-continuous gradient dosing system. HortScience 55(9): S339-340.
14. Paudel, A., Y. Sun, L.A. Rupp, J. Carman, and S.L. Love. 2020. Overcoming seed dormancy in Ceanothus velutinus and Cercocarpus montanus. HortScience 55(9): S132-133.
15. Stevens M, Love SL, McCammon T. 2020. The Heart of Penstemon Country: A natural history of penstemons in the Utah region. Farcountry Press, Helena, MT.
16. Xing, H., J.J. Chen, Y. Sun, A. Paudel, and G. Niu. 2020. Growth, visual quality, and morphological responses of twelve viburnum taxa to saline water irrigation. HortScience 55(8): 1233-1241. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14940-20

2019

1. Klett, James E. and David McKinney. 2019 CSU Research Update. Dianthus Trials at Colorado State University, CNGA Looseleaf 2019 Research Update. 36(6)20.
2. Klett, James E. CSU Research Update. Top Perennials from our Three-Year Perennial Trial, CNGA Looseleaf 37(1)20.
3. Klett, James E. 2019 CSU Research Update, Plant Select® 2020 Introductions CNGA Looseleaf 7(3)20-21.
4. Klett, James E. 2019 CSU Research Updates, Top Picks of Off-Season Color. CNGA Looseleaf 37(4)22.
5. Klett, James E. 2019 CSU Research Update, Consumer Favorites from 2019 Annual Trial Gardens. CNGA Looseleaf 37(5)20-21.
6. Klett, James E. and David McKinney, CSU Research Update. Shade Solution: Colorful

Helleborus adopts well in Colorado. 35(1)56-57.

7. Klett, James E. 2019. CSU’s Top Five Perennials are showy and taught. Colorado Green

35(2)48-49.

8. Klett, James E. 2019. Try These Underutilized Woody Plants, Colorado Green 35(3)57-59.
9. Klett, James E. 2019. Use These Columnar Trees and Shrubs in Small Spaces, Colorado Green

35(5)50-51.

10. Lauryn Shriner and James E. Keltt, 2019. Tough and Proven Perennials for Colorado. Colorado Green, 35(5)50-51.
11. James E. Klett and Sean Markovic 2019. Top Annuals from Professional Evaluation Day at Colorado State University Annual Flower Trials. Colorado Green 35(6)42-43.
12. Love, SL, Akins, CJ. Second summary of the native seed germination studies of Norman C. Deno: species with names beginning with letters C through E. 2019. Native Plants Journal 20(1):65-98.
13. Love, SL, Akins, CJ. Third summary of the native seed germination studies of Norman C. Deno: species with names beginning with letters F through K. 2019. Native Plants Journal 20(2):123-145.
14. Love SL. 2019. Penstemon nanus. Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society 78:2-7. Native Plants for the Intermountain West, http://www.wyoextension.org/westernnativeplants/ Accessed 18 October 2019.
15. Paudel, A., J. Chen, Y. Sun, Y. Wang, and R. Anderson. 2019. Salt tolerance of Sego Supreme plants. HortScience 54(11): 2056-2062.
16. Paudel, A., S. Guo, J. Chen, Y. Wang, Y. Sun, L. Rupp, and R. Anderson. 2019. Salt tolerance of Sego SupremeTM plants. HortScience 54(9): S283.
17. Paudel, A., N. Snow, Y. Sun, L. Rupp, and J. Carman. 2019. Micropropagation of Cercocarpus montanus: Stage II. HortScience 54(9): S198.

2018

1. Alosaimi AA, Tripepi RR, Love SL. 2018. Micropropagation of Epilobium canum garrettii (Firechalice) by axillary shoot culture. Hortscience 53(1):62-66.
2. Cho, KC, DU Jeong, YJ Byeon, M. Gu, TH Han, GC Koh, IT Hwang, GY Ki, HK Kim, BS Kim, SK Jung and HS Choi. 2018. Growth and flowering cut chrysanthemum as affected by source and time of light-emitting diodes. Philipp Ag. Sci. 101:28-35.
3. Erfan, V, M. Merchant, X. Cai* and M. Gu. 2018. Phenology and natural enemies of a new scale pest, Acanthococcus (=Eriococcus) Lagerstroemiae Kuwana (Sternorrhynca: Ericoccidae) of crapemyrtles in Texas. Journal of Environmental Horticulture (In revision).
4. Greyvenstein, O., B. Pemberton, G. Niu, T. Starman and D. Byrne. 2018. Heat tolerance in garden roses. Acta Horticulturae (Accepted).
5. Gu. 2018. Grant final report: Integrated Pest Management Strategies for Crape Myrtle Bark Scale, A New Exotic Pest. USDA NIFA.
6. Gu. 2018. Manage crape myrtle bark scale, an exotic pest (Renewed). Horticulture Research Institute.
7. Gu, M.. 2018. Effect of biochar and vermicompost on seed germination and seedling growth. TNLA GREEN Nov/Dec:22-23.
8. Gu, M.. 2018. Plants with Potentials: Yangmei. TNLA GREEN Sep/Oct:33-35.
9. Gu, M.. 2018. My 2 cents on crapemurder. TNLA GREEN July/Aug:25-26.
10. Gu, M.. 2018. Update on crapemyrtle bark scale. TNLA GREEN Mar/April:23-24.
11. Gu, M. 2018 Alternative hosts of crapemyrtle bark scale. 5/18. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service EHT-103.
12. Guo, Y., G. Niu, T. Starman, and M. Gu. 2018. Growth and development of Easter lily in response to container substrate with biochar. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2018.1444514.
13. Guo, Y., G. Niu, T. Starman, A. Volder and M. Gu. 2018. Poinsettia growth and development response to container root substrate with biochar. Horticulturae 4, 1; doi:10.3390/horticulturae4010001.
14. Klett, James E. 2018 CSU Research Update. Superior Herbaceous Perennials from Colorado State University. CNGA Looseleaf 36(1) 20-21.
15. Klett, James E. 2018 CSU Research Update. Superior Woody Plants to Consider for 2018. CNGA Looseleaf 36(2) 18-19.
16. Klett, James E. and Ronda Koski. 2018 CSU Research Update. Pre-Emergent Herbicides for Container-Grown Ornamentals CNGA Looseleaf 36(3) 20-21.
17. Klett, James E. 2018. Plant Select® Introductions and Top Performers from the past. CNGA Looseleaf 36(4) 20-21.
18. Klett, James E. 2018. Top Performers from Professional and Consumer Day at CSU Annual Flower Trials CNGA Looseleaf 36(5) 20-21.
19. Klett, James E. 2018. CSU Research on trending plants. Colorado Green 34(1) 44-45.
20. Klett, James E. 2018. Top Performers for Colorado from CSU Perennial Trials. Colorado Green 34(2) 42-43.
21. Klett, James E. 2018. Top Performers from CSU offer more plant diversity. Colorado Green. 34(4) 42-43.
22. Klett, James E. 2018. Top 10 picks for offseason color. Colorado Green 34(4) 41-43.
23. Klett, James E. 2018. Best Viburnums for Colorado. Colorado Green 34(5) 42-43.
24. Klett, James E. 2018. Industry pros and gardeners vote top picks at CSU Annual Flower Trials. Colorado Green 34(6) 41-43.
25. Lawson, K.C. and L.A. Rupp. 2018. A preliminary study on the selection and establishment of pinyon pine clones for improved nut production. Annual report to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Specialty Crop Block Grant program.
26. Lawson, K.C., L.A. Rupp. and R. Newhall. 2018. Topworking mature two-needle pinyon (Pinus edulis) with singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla). Poster presentation at the International Plant Propagator Society Western Region annual conference. Kona, Hawaii.
27. Lawson, K.C., L.A. Rupp. and R. Newhall. 2018. Selecting and grafting wild Pinus monophylla on containerized Pinus edulis rootstocks. Poster presentation at the International Plant Propagator Society Western Region annual conference. Kona, Hawaii.
28. Love SL. 2018. Penstemon degeneri. Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society 77:2-7.