Development and marketing of new hardy woody plant varieties based primarily on native Newfoundland flora

This project was designed to meet industry demand for more native landscape plants as such plants are often better adapted to Canadian growing conditions. Nine new woody Newfoundland plant selections were provided to seven of Canada’s largest commercial plant propagating nurseries for evaluation.  Unrooted cuttings/scions of the trial plants were supplied to the trialing nurseries to be propagated, grown in the nursery and then rated on their ability to root/graft, foliage appearance, flower production (if applicable), susceptibility to pests and diseases and overall plant habit.

Eco‐integrated green walls for indoor gardening and commercial buildings

This project by AAFC scientists looked at providing new commercial opportunities for the Canadian ornamental industry through the development of innovative and low maintenance indoor gardening eco-wall systems for home, residential and public buildings. The research included an evaluation of LED lighting systems and tested five distinctively different wall module systems, several growing medium, fertilization regimes (organic, conventional) and bio-stimulants, including Si, on a wide range of plant species grown under different light conditions (e.g. with or without LED supplementary lighting; under low PPFD).

Project summary PDF
Webinar on video
Final Report

 

Greening Canada’s highways: expanding nursery and landscape market opportunities

Based on earlier research results which pointed to the negative impact of compacted urban soils, this research project was designed to improve tree survivability in highway and urban environments. After five years of research and four years of direct testing, deep ripping and the addition of organic matter has been proven as a method of remediation of urban soils to ensure the long-term survival of trees. Based on several sites sampled throughout Ontario and Alberta, a soil remediation calculator was developed that estimates the amount of organic amendment required to bring the soil bulk density below root limiting thresholds for trees

Green roof technologies

The performance of 37 species under real-life green roof conditions was assessed by researchers in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Species invasiveness and winter survivability has also been evaluated. Positive results across many test species is providing green roof designers with a larger palette of green roof materials, in particular, a number of low maintenance plant species that perform well under harsh conditions.

Innovation in ornamental plant cultivars and native species

A study of 20 native species planted for evaluation at three locations in Ontario and Newfoundland. In each location plant performance was evaluated in sun and shade, in different growth media and with different watering regimes. This study has identified several new or underused native Canadian plants which have proven potential as low maintenance ornamental plants.

Alternative weed control methods and bioherbicides in turf and nursery production

Field trials were conducted on a number of alternative weed control products and it was found that there is significant variation between the claims of manufacturers and actual product performance. Over seeding with some grass species can lead to increased turf cover and is proving to be a favourable option in light of increasing restrictions on pesticide use. This research has delivered a set of clear recommendations for saving money and increasing the efficiency of controlling weeds in turf without conventional herbicides.