Horticulture Science
Transforming the built environment
Horticulture takes a variety of forms, from public parks and roadside plantings to front yards and balcony flowerpots. No matter what the effort, think “Right plant. Right place.”
That is the grounding principle of Horticulture Science at CNPS. In California, native plant gardening is on the rise, as drought and the state’s conservation ethos drive the transformation of both public and private landscapes. But there are risks: The wrong plants in the wrong places can threaten rare plant populations in the wild, introduce disease, and harm local ecosystems. CNPS is working alongside partners to ensure the best available science supports our healthiest built landscapes, literally from the ground up.
As we face the emerging crises of climate change and extinction, plant genetics can provide helpful clues into how species are able to respond to changes in the environment and how they might survive.
– Michael Vasey and Gordon Leppig, Artemisia
Best Practices for Horticulture Science
Phytophthoras Work Group
Learn about the group’s work in limiting the spread of phytophthoras.
Fire-Resistant Landscapes
Firescape your garden with with native plants.
Seed Cleaning
Find out about California native plant propagation.
Preventing Disease
Phytophthora and Resource Management
CNPS Healthy Nurseries and Habitats Committee
Healthy Nurseries and Habitat Committee
Nursery conditions favoring Phytophthoras
Implications of Phytophthora in native plant nurseries
What to look for in nursery practices when purchasing (Chapter buy-in guide)
CNPS Nursery Best Management Practices
Phytosanitary Best Management Practices
CNPS BMP Testing Procedures
Fungicide use in nurseries
Professional Training and Resources for Landscapers
(coming soon)
Help improve how we share Horticulture Science in Calscape, California’s top database for native plant gardening. Bookmark Calscape.org to use this invaluable resource.
