2019 ASHS Annual Conference

NC State Extension granted $104,000 to the NC Extension Gardener program to transform the plant database (http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu) into a world-class resource. Based on evaluation of plant databases around the world; surveys of Extension agents, Extension Master Gardener volunteers and plant database users; and focus groups, we created an innovative tool for gardeners, Extension Master Gardener volunteers, extension staff, landscape professionals, university staff, and students. We now captures three times more data points per plant record, have high resolution photos that document seasons, life cycles, plant parts as well as plant use in the landscape, and have improved search capability. The database has three main pathways: Find the Right Plant; Identify a Plant; Browse the Gallery. We have added IPM information as well as recommendations for alternate plants, with fewer pest problems, that can fill the same function in the landscape. In addition, we provide links to plants that are frequently confused with the plant being viewed. While the funding covered software, staff, and IT support to create the expanded structure of the database, it would not have been possible to populate the new fields, upload the thousands of photographs, and update the existing records without the invaluable support of Extension Master Gardener volunteers.