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The Louisiana Super Plant program is an educational and marketing campaign that highlights tough and beautiful plants that perform well in Louisiana landscapes. Louisiana Super Plants have a proven track record having gone through several years of university evaluations and observations. Louisiana Super Plants are “university tested and industry approved”.
Each spring and fall LSU AgCenter horticulturists unveil a list of Louisiana Super Plants, evaluated and selected for their superior performance under Louisiana growing conditions.
Utilizing the LSU AgCenter’s extensive media resources, Louisiana Super Plants are promoted to generate interest and awareness of these hardy plants. The homeowner and professional alike can benefit from using Louisiana Super Plants for a successful landscape experience.
It’s tough to be a Louisiana Super Plant! Each Super Plant must have at least 2 years of rigorous evaluations and have a proven track record under North and South Louisiana growing conditions. Super Plants must prove hardy across the state. Super Plants must be easily produced and available for all green industry wholesalers and retailers to market and sale.
Louisiana Super Plants are selected 1-2 years in advance of release to the public. The Louisiana Super Plant Selection Committee, composed of LSU AgCenter research and extension personnel, select plants based upon observations made in replicated plots and demonstration trials across the state.
The Louisiana Super Plant Advisory Committee, composed of green industry personnel (producers, retailers, and landscapers) from across the state, meet with the Plant Selection Committee for further scrutiny of the plant’s landscape ability and marketability. This selection process gives each Super Plant the combined rating of “university tested and industry approved”.
The Louisiana Super Plant program was begun in 2009 as a marketing program specific to Louisiana. Traditionally, marketing programs have been regional and national in scope and developed and directed by private companies. Louisiana’s heat and humidity are tough on plants and most plants recommended for northern and western locations will not perform well here. Hence the need for a state-based program that utilizes university research to identify and promote exceptional plants that perform well in Louisiana.
Funding for this project was provided through the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry with USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds.
The launch date for the first group of Super Plants was October 2010.
