Sustainable Color Using NativesSustainable Color Using Natives

Dr. Cynthia McKenneyTexas Tech University

http://www.pssc.ttu.edu/faculty_pages/cmckenney.php

Changing Status of NativesChanging Status of Natives

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BenefitsBenefits

Unusual growth habitRecognitionOld fashion favoritesTolerant ReclamationAttracts pollinators

3Ratibida columnifera -Mexican Hat

ObjectivesObjectives

Identify wildflowers with landscape potentialEvaluate their suitability for commercial productionSelect for desirable plant characteristicsWatch for inferior cultivars that are mislabeled

4Esperanza, Yellow Bells

Commercial PerformanceCommercial PerformancePacks / potsCultural managementPropagation issuesEase of harvestShipping

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Selection CriteriaSelection CriteriaTime and length of bloomBright colorGood heightGood size population to harvest from Seed is ripeNot protected / permissions

6Oenothera elata - Trumpet Day Primrose

MethodsMethods

TaggedCollectedGIS Technology for passport dataReported associated plant communities and soil

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Collection RangeCollection Range

Northern High Plains Southern High PlainsRolling PlainsEdwards Plateau

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StepsSteps

GerminationField establishmentTrial and rated top selectionsRepeat until no outcrossingPVP or trademark releaseAvg 5-7 years

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Field EstablishmentField Establishment

HarvestHarvest

Salinity ToleranceSalinity Tolerance

Consumer Demand / LiabilitiesConsumer Demand / LiabilitiesHave to have curb appeal!Compact growthFlowering

PoisonousShort life spanWeedy out of color

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Oenothera rhombipetala Four Point Evening Primrose

Oxytropis lambertii Purple Loco

Currently “In Fashion”Currently “In Fashion”Herbal market (but not this species)Low maintenanceEnvironmentally appropriate with concerns for pollinators and drought

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Echinacea purpurea, Black Sampson

Improved Natives Improved Natives

Good performanceNice addition to the color paletteFrequently stress tolerantRetain the genetics we are looking for

15Rudbeckia hirta ‘Denver Daisy’, All American Selection

Plant Improvement - FlowersPlant Improvement - Flowers

16Melampodium leucanthum – Blackfoot Daisy ‘Raider Amethyst

Color Intensity and Foliage DensityColor Intensity and Foliage Density

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Glandularia bipinnitifida – Prairie Verbena ‘Raider Amethyst’

Compact Growth HabitCompact Growth Habit

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Salvia farinacea - Mealy Sage ‘Raider Amethyst

Front of the Border Front of the Border

Zinnia grandiflora– Plains Zinnia

Still Under DevelopmentStill Under Development

Ratibida columnifera– Mexican HatOenothera elata– Hooker’s Evening Primrose

Perennial with Multiple StemsPerennial with Multiple Stems

Ipomopsis rubra– Standing Cypress

FragranceFragrance

Smells like chocolate on a warm dayDoesn’t smell like kitty litter!Also called Texas Green EyesNot a dense plant

22Berlandiera lyrata – Chocolate Daisy

Still Under DevelopmentStill Under Development

Oenothera brachycarpa– Short-Fruit Evening Primrose

Calylophus hartwegii– Western Primrose

Woody Native ColorWoody Native Color

Salvia greggii– Autumn Sage

Hesperaloe parviflora– Pink Yucca

Shade TolerantShade Tolerant

Malvaviscus drummondii – Turk’s Cap