The LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station will hold its second annual Landscape Horticulture Field Day for green industry professionals on May 15.

Dr. Regina Bracy, LSU AgCenter resident coordinator at the station, said the field day will begin with registration at 4:30 p.m. Walking tours of landscape research projects and demonstration plots are scheduled from 5:30-7 p.m.

“Providing service to the landscape portion of the green industry is a new feature of research efforts at the Hammond Research Station,” Bracy said. “Other topics to be addressed at the field day include an overview of ornamental plant variety evaluations.”

Dr. Allen Owings, LSU AgCenter horticulturist at the station, said the field day will feature Knock Out rose varieties, new plants from Proven Winners, Ball FloraPlant, Ball Seed, PanAmerican Seed, Sakata Seed and other companies, along with a review of some new woody ornamental plants.

“These are mostly planted in the new ‘sun garden’ evaluation area at the station,” Owings said. “The field day will be the public garden debut in Louisiana of the new Sunny Knock Out rose. Other new roses from Conard-Pyle and Weeks wholesale rose growers will also be available for viewing.”

In addition, AgCenter experts will address both environmental issues and urban forestry efforts at the station.

During registration, research posters on floriculture production and landscape weed control will be on display. And a plant disease clinic will be on-site for problem diagnosis.

Owings said visitors will be able to tour the new Margie Jenkins Azalea Garden at the station.

“This garden features many azaleas and companion plants, including many underutilized native species,” he said.

In addition, an equipment demonstration will highlight features and safety recommendations for zero-turn radius mowers.

No advanced registration is required for the field day, but interested persons are encouraged to contact the station so adequate plans and handouts can be available.

More information about the landscape horticulture field day is available from the Hammond Research Station at (985) 543-4125. The station is located approximately 6 miles east of Hammond at 21549 Old Covington Highway (Louisiana Highway 1067).

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Contacts: Allen Owings at 985.543.4125, or aowings@agcenter.lsu.edu
Regina Bracy at 985.543.4125, or rbracy@agcenter.lsu.edu
Writer: Johnny Morgan at (225) 578-8484, or jmorgan@agcenter.lsu.edu