PLANT SELECTION IN A COMPLEX WORLD: SPECIES, CULTIVARS AND EXPECTATIONS

Western hort talk by Dr. Benjamin Hoover, calPoly SLO ​​

We know that selecting the right plant for a landscape is important, but how do we evaluate plants to make smart decisions? Should we only plant native plants? Are the newest cultivars always the best choice? In this session, we acknowledge the myriad stakeholders in plant selection, then talk about cultivars and plant species. The conversation involves genetic outliers and mutations, grafted plants, plant adaptations to stresses, and how they might affect aesthetic and ecological outcomes. Plants are diverse and have a lot to offer; we just need to know how to pick the right fit.

Benjamin Hoover is a Professor of Sustainable Nursery Production in the Plant Sciences Department at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, CA. Ben started working at Behmerwald Nursery (Schwenksville, PA) as a teenager, fell in love with plants, then studied them till he had a PhD in Horticulture from Penn State. Now he enjoys helping students at Cal Poly see the art and science of horticulture, as well as myriad exciting opportunities for innovation. Ben loves being an educator and researcher because it lets him indulge his eternal curiosity. Every day is a day to learn something new!

Free for WHS & CalHort members, and first-time attendees. $10 otherwise. Doors open 7pm for tea & snacks, plant sales and chatting. Details - https://www.westernhort.org