Landscape Horticulture

Our native flora, particularly the prairie herbaceous plant community, is an underutilized resource for landscape horticulture. Prairie management and restoration, for maintenance of bio-diversity and natural areas, has been studied for decades. Research is needed to allow more "mainstream" use of native prairie species, both as traditional horticultural subjects or in diverse, low-input, stable plant communities. Current research focuses on: 1)establishment methods, 2)assessment of genetic diversity within and between populations, and 3)identification and development of superior horticultural types within native species.

Selected Publications

• Kemery R. and M. Dana. 1999. Influence of inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae on post-transplant growth of prairie forb seedlings. 
• Kemery, R. and M. Dana. 1999. Influence of container size and medium amendment on post-transplant growth of prairie perennial seedlings. 
• Kemery, R. D. and M. N. Dana. 1998. Influence of inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae on post-transplant growth of prairie forb seedlings. (Submitted for publication). 
• Kemery, R. D. and M. N. Dana. 1998. Container size and hydrogel affect post-transplant success of prairie perennial seedlings. (Submitted for publication). 
• Barry, L. M., 1998. Evaluation of Nurse Crops and Nitrogen Impoverishment as Methods of Prairie Plant Establishment. M. S. Thesis, Purdue University. 
• Kemery, R. D., 1995. Establishing Prairie Perennial Seedlings along Indiana Highways. M. S. Thesis, Purdue University. 
• Kemery, R. D. and M. N. Dana. 1995. Prairie remnant soil as a source of mycorrhizal inoculum HortScience 30(5):1015-1016.

Michael Dana has developed a PhotoCD to help users assess herbicide damage on landscape ornamentals called PICTURE the Damage!