Education

• M.S. | University of Georgia
• B.S. | Auburn University

Research Interests

My interests sit at the intersection of ornamental horticulture, conservation, and botany. At Holden, my group is engaged in three things: curating the Rhododendron collection, breeding landscape plants, and stewarding the David G. Leach Research Station. The rhododendron collection is by far the largest collection at Holden, comprising some 2500 plants and 50+ acres. It is foundational for our decades long breeding program at the Leach Research Station and more recently has been used in support of plant biology research. We are slowly modernizing the collection, maintaining the extensive existing ornamental collection while increasing its utility for conservation and scholarship. Mostly this means increasing the representation of rhododendron species in the collection. We are also actively building a conservation collection for Rhododendron prunifolium and Ohio’s native rhododendrons.   Our breeding work focuses on improved rhododendrons, mostly through resistance to root rot disease, zone 5 cold hardiness, and sun tolerance. We also work with other landscape plants, including evergreen azaleas, Pieris, Calycanthus, and Hamamelis.   I can most frequently be found at HF&G’s David G. Leach Research Station in Madison, though I have an office at the arboretum and am there through winter. Get in touch if you’re interested in collaborating, utilizing our collections or facilities, or just want to talk plants.