Oregon’s Landscape Horticulture Industry enhances the ecological, aesthetic, social, and economic value of our environment through the design, construction, and management of gardens; commercial, residential, and municipal landscapes; parks; and golf courses. Oregonians benefit from the industries’ contributions to recreation, beauty, wildlife habitat, and moderation of temperature and pollutants. Oregon’s Landscape Horticulture Industry employs nearly 9,000 people in 1,100 enterprises that are valued at $500 million annually. Complementing this industry are nurseries producing a vast array of ornamental plants and 3,000 Master Gardener™ volunteers, hundreds of garden clubs, and other gardeners.
Oregonians enjoy the beauty, utility, and function of a “green” world with:
- increased property values
- more leisure activities and active living
- better fire prevention
- improved streamside ecology
- better habitat for salmon, birds and other species
- improved air and water quality.
Teaching
Students learn contemporary and cutting-edge technologies to design, install, and manage landscapes for homes, businesses, parks, and watersheds. Graduates develop a strong background in plant biology, genetics, soils, ecology, plant nutrition, pest management, business, and marketing. Students investigate real-world dilemmas through case studies, field trips, and internships. Students practice site assessment, construction, planting, and management while three student-run clubs add leadership and extracurricular activities.
Horticulture courses include:
- Plant materials courses (four offered)
- Turf management
- Landscape design
- Landscape construction
- Landscape management
- Ecological processes in managed landscapes
Extension
Educational programs help Oregonians make informed decisions about their landscapes. Faculty teach topics and sustainable practices at green industry seminars from Portland to Bend, while others coordinate Master Gardener volunteers in 30 of 36 Oregon counties. A “mini-college” provides advanced training to create curriculum, improve knowledge, and develop leadership in community horticultural programs. Each year, Master Gardeners reach nearly two million Oregonians either directly or indirectly via public media and websites to promote gardening, preserve our environment, enhance livability, and contribute volunteer services.
Research
Turf trials examine the best grasses and mixes, water and fertilizer management, and turf performance in surrounding landscapes. Other research helps people select plants for fire prevention, drought tolerance, streamside ecology, and personal well-being. Trials also address weed control, mulching, irrigation, nutrition, and landscape management.
New directions
- Teach a course in ecological landscapes.
- Design landscapes to enhance sustainability and maximize beneficial services
- Create plant-based technologies such as green roofs, bioswales, and green streets that improve energy efficiency, moderate pollution, and improve environmental performance
- Develop educational materials and curricula for students, professionals, gardeners, and others including the Garden Enhanced Nutrition Education (GENE) program for kids in schools
- Partner with the OSU College of Forestry and other agencies to teach urban horticulture and forestry
- Expand the turf program to research lawn care and management, resource requirements, and ecosystem services provided by integrative landscapes in golf courses, sports turf, and parks
- Deliver a new undergraduate option, Therapeutic Horticulture, in collaboration with Legacy Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, providing coursework for certification or a Bachelor of Science degree
Benefits
- Currently, 100 students are enrolled in horticulture; 33 graduated in 2007.
- Professional landscapers, golf course superintendents, turf managers, and retail nurseries expand their knowledge, access information, and make informed decisions.
- Oregonians have greater knowledge of plants for Oregon’s diverse environments.
- Landscapes and cityscapes are improved with greater choices of plants and practices that can be adapted to specific sites or situations.
- Horticulture contributes to Oregon’s beauty, scenery, environment, and ecosystems.
Faculty
Neil Bell
Chip Bubl
Steve Castagnoli
Amy Jo Detweiler
Barbara Fick
Rob Golembiewski
Clive Kaiser
John Lambrinos
Gail Langellotto
Lynn Long
Linda McMahan
Weston Miller
Ross Pennhallegon
Steve Renquist
Robert Reynolds