Horticulture

Great plants start with great research. Since 1954, the NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program has been dedicated to researching, developing, and protecting superior woody plant cultivars suited for the Northern Great Plains. NDSU develops and releases trees and shrubs selected for their performance in the region, and the NDSU Research Foundation helps bring these plants from research to the landscape by marketing and licensing them to nurseries. These licensed nurseries propagate the plants and make them available to growers, landscapers, and the public.

• Breeding for the Northern Climate

  The NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program focuses on woody plants—trees and shrubs that produce secondary growth—including both ornamental species such as shade trees and flowering shrubs, as well as edible plants like apple and plum trees. The program focuses on creating plants that are:

  • Hardy and resilient in North Dakota’s demanding climate
  • Adaptable to the extreme temperature fluctuations common in the region
  • Diverse, helping expand the range of ornamental and edible woody plants available to landscapers, nurseries, and homeowners

• Licensing NDSU Horticulture Cultivars

  The NDSU Research Foundation works with nurseries to license NDSU-developed trees and shrubs for propagation and sale. A license agreement is required to propagate and sell NDSU horticulture cultivars, with some exceptions.

  Ready to bring NDSU cultivars to your customers? Contact us to learn more about becoming a licensed nursery.

  
  

• Getting Started with NDSU Cultivars

  Need propagation material for an NDSU horticulture cultivar? Licensed nurseries may contact us to ask about available propagation material. Availability varies by cultivar and is not guaranteed.

  NDSU and the NDSU Research Foundation do not sell horticultural plants directly to the public. If you're looking for an NDSU cultivar for your landscape, check with local retail nurseries or a licensed nursery to see if they currently offer the plant or can help you locate one.

• Explore NDSU Cultivars

  Explore available NDSU cultivars to discover a diverse selection of trees and shrubs and learn more about their characteristics and performance. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us —we’re happy to help!

  Looking for a nursery that can provide NDSU plants? View our list of licensed nurseries (PDF, 171 KB). Keep in mind that being on this list does not guarantee that a nursery is currently propagating NDSU plants; it only means they are licensed to do so. The nurseries on this list typically serve wholesale customers, but you can contact them to ask whether they supply NDSU plants to a retail nursery in your area.

Support NDSU Horticulture Research

Please consider a donation to the NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program and Research Arboretum! From evaluating plants over many years to developing and introducing new cultivars, horticultural research is a long-term investment. Your support helps make this work possible. Donate >

NDSU Arboretums

NDSU Dale E. Herman Research Arboretum

The NDSU Dale E. Herman Research Arboretum is a living research and teaching resource that supports the NDSU Woody Plant Improvement Program. It provides a place to study long-term plant performance, develop improved trees and shrubs, and identify plants that can thrive in the region’s challenging climate and landscapes.

[Learn more about the NDSU Dale E. Herman Research Arboretum]

NDSU Interactive Campus Arboretum

The NDSU Interactive Campus Arboretum (open to the public) showcases a diverse collection of trees, shrubs and woody vines across the NDSU campus. Interactive labels with QR codes allow students, visitors, and the campus community to learn more about each plant.

[Explore the NDSU Interactive Campus Arboretum]