Special Article for Successful Gardener
Darrell Blackwelder
April 10, 2003

    Many gardeners may not realize that much of the research done on ornamentals and vegetables is actually conducted at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center which is located in the southern Appalachian mountains of western North Carolina near Asheville. At this research facility, over 40 faculty and staff, from the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the College of Natural Resources, conduct research and extension programs for the departments of Entomology, Forestry, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, and Zoology.
    Some of the research includes on going studies to find better and more efficient ways to produce native ornamental plants such as rhododendron, azalea, and mountain laurel. Techniques for growing from seed and cuttings are being developed. Studies of the effect of cultural practices from the plant bed to the salable plant are being carried out to assure the industry and consumer a plant with a high survival index. Urban growing conditions can vary from ideal to severe and attention is given to the development of plants that will tolerate the entire range.
    Other studies include research on cultivation of medicinal herbs including burdock, chamomile, dandelion, Echinacea, feverfew, gota kola, milk thistle, skullcap, St. Johnswort, stinging nettle, valerian, vervain, and wild quinine. Non-timber forest products being examined include beth root black cohosh, bloodroot, blue cohosh, fairywand (Chamelirium luteum), ginseng, golden seal, pink root, ramps (Allium tricoccum and A. burdickii), snakeroot, spikenard, wild ginger, and yellow indigo. Culinary herbs of interest are basil and elephant garlic. Pyrethrum, for insecticide production, is being grown in research plots across the state.
One of the newest areas of research is agritourism. A major component of this program is studies using sunflowers and other plants for crop mazes.    More information on horticultural crops is available on line at http://fletcher.ces.state.nc.us/