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Current Projects of the Nursery & Landscape Program
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Alternatives to Ornamental Invasive Plants
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The Long Island Gold Medal Plant Program
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Nutrient Management for Field Nurseries
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Native-Friendly Plants - Alternatives to Ornamental Invasive Plants
Long Island is one of the many locations throughout the US that has taken progressive steps towards improving the environment by reducing the spread of invasive plants. Invasive plants have damaged Long Island's unique woodlands by replacing native flora, and in turn, negatively impacting wildlife and natural ecosystem processes. Invasive species are among the top causes of biodiversity loss across the globe.
To download a brochure on frequently asked questions relating to invasive plants on Long Island CLICK HERE.
You can be part of the solution by growing and planting alternatives to ornamental invasive plants! The Nursery & Landscape Program along with key stakeholders have developed a list of alternative plants for Long Island. These plants were selected based upon their similar ornamental characteristics and cultural requirements compared to the invasives. Alternative plants may be native or non-native, but are not invasive. Alternative plants are well-adapted to Long Island, and many are readily available at Long Island nurseries. You can help make the future of Long Island greener by growing these "native-friendly" plants! To download the list of alternatives to ornamental invasive plants CLICK HERE.
The Nursery and Landscape Program has also planted a Native-Friendly Demonstration Garden that you can come visit! The Native-Friendly Garden is located at the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center, 3059 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, NY.
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The Gold Medal Plant Program
Growing a greener Long Island since 1999
The Long Island Gold Medal Plant Program began in 1999 and is administered by the Nursery & Landscape Program. The purpose of the Gold Medal Program is to identify underutilized plant material of exceptional merit that is particularly suited for growing on Long Island. Increased public education and awareness of sustainable plant selections is the main goal of the Program.
Four award-winning plants are selected each year, which may be trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, groundcovers, or grasses. Gold Medal Plant Winners are identified by the Plant Selection Committee, which is a volunteer group of horticulture professionals. To see descriptions of all the Gold Medal Plants CLICK HERE
| Stachys 'Helene von Stein' (Lamb's Ears) | Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia) | Sciadopitys verticillata(Japanese Umbrella Pine) | Aesculus parviflora (Bottlebrush Buckeye) |
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| Gold Medal Winner 2006 | Gold Medal Winner 2000 | Gold Medal Winner 2007 | Gold Medal Winner 2009 |
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Nutrient Management for Field Nurseries
The Nursery & Landscape Program is conducting ongoing research into precision nutrient management of field-grown trees in collaboration with the Suffolk County Agricultural Stewardship Program. The objective of our research is to find optimal rates of fertilizer for field-grown trees that maintain adequate growth rates, while minimizing production cost to nursery growers and risk of nutrient leaching. Little is understood how trees’ nitrogen usage is affected by age, climate, and species. Fertilizer recommendations and best management practices have therefore been very generalized. Through our research, we hope to develop more specific fertilizer recommendations for individual tree species growing on Long Island. Participating nurseries have been located in Cutchogue and Baiting Hollow.
| Abelia x grandiflora 'Francis Mason' (Glossy Abelia) | Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' (Switchgrass) | Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo' (Eastern Ninebark) | Waldsteinia ternata (Siberian or Barren Strawberry) |
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| Alternative to: Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry, gold cultivars) | Alternative to: Miscanthus sinensis (Japanese Silver Grass)Gold Medal Winner 2007 | Alternative to: Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry, large purple cultivars) | Alternative to: Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny)Gold Medal Winner 2005 |
