Research project lands WVSU on scientific journal cover
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new horticultural research project at West Virginia State University landed the research team on the cover of the August 2012 issue of the scientific journal HortScience."We've been trialing new ornamental plants with the University of Minnesota since 2003," said Barbara Liedl, associate research professor with WVSU's Agricultural & Environmental Research Station. "Our goal is to identify new cultivars that will be of interest for homeowners and growers here in West Virginia."A cultivar is a plant variety produced from a natural species and maintained by cultivation.
WVSU teamed with researchers from Minnesota and Wisconsin on a project trialing a new variety of garden chrysanthemum, called Mammoth 'Twilight Pink Daisy.' Ornamentals are plants that are grown for decorative purposes and used in gardens or as cut flowers. The project focused on breeding for winter hardiness, which is critical for growing in Minnesota, said Liedl."Our winters might not be as harsh as those found up north," she said, "but we have more freeze-thaw cycles and our hardiness zones do overlap."