From the Editor

In my other life, so to speak, I conduct a native plant domestication project for the University of Idaho. My goal is to produce native plant materials that can be utilized in home and commercial landscapes for purposes of habitat development and water conservation. The research is fascinating and exciting, and progress over the past 10 years has been significant. In cooperation with an industry partner, we now have 36 native plant products in commerce, with another 5 prepared for release later this year.

I share this information to make a point about the Native Plants Journal. Historically, few of the native species I work with have received attention from scientists, propagators, or nurserymen. We often start at point zero in our knowledge of how to germinate seeds, manage seedlings, or produce saleable container plants. In some cases, propagation of specific plants requires development of new asexual propagation methods. With limited resources available for this work, success often depends on gaining insight from published works of colleagues who work in native plant disciplines. I rely heavily on limited information resources to ensure success in my research, including the Native Plants Journal and the Native Plant Propagation Database, which is maintained by the Native Plant Network.

The Native Plants Journal was designed as an avenue of exchange for native plant practitioners. This publication provides a venue wherein those of us in “the business” can share knowledge about native plants that has been gained through either rigorous research or extensive experience. The result is an eclectic collection of how-to ideas and protocols that can be utilized over a wide range of applications. Being fully immersed in the world of native plant propagation, I find tremendous value in this mode of exchange. I hope you find this same value in the Native Plants Journal and its mission to deliver practical information.

Keep sharing your research and experience with fellow native plant practitioners by publishing in NPJ. We all benefit.

On the cover: Local endemic and rare Christ’s paintbrush (Castilleja christii N.H. Holmgren [Scrophulariaceae]) surrounded by silvery lupine (Lupinus argenteus Pursh [Fabaceae]) on Mount Harrison in Cassia County, Idaho. Photo by Stephen Love