CEMAP PLANT SELECTION POLICY

One of the keys to the success of CEMAP is the quality and reliability of the plant material that is highlighted in educational and marketing campaigns. Every effort is made to ensure that highlighted plants will perform well for Texas consumers. Wherever appropriate, limitations to highlighted plants are mentioned during marketing campaigns. Additionally, cultural information is provided to give the consumer guidance regarding proper plant care.

The decision as to which plants are highlighted in CEMAP marketing campaigns is made by the CEMAP Executive Board (Tim Davis, Mike Arnold, Dan Lineberger--College Station; Greg Grant--Nacogdoches; Wayne Mackay and Cynthia McKenney--Dallas; Jerry Parsons--San Antonio; Brent Pemberton--Overton; Larry Stein--Uvalde). The Board typically plans marketing campaigns at least two to three years in advance. Advisory input is received from the statewide CEMAP Advisory Board which is composed of TAMU horticulturists, nursery professionals, growers, seed company representatives, county horticulturists, arboretum and botanical garden representatives, horticultural writers, and landscape designers.

The Executive Board's decision as to which plants should be highlighted is primarily based upon observations made at replicated plots and demonstration trials across the state. In some cases, recommendations made by university horticulturists in other southern states are also considered. Because ornamental plant performance can be rather subjective, the Board gathers as much input as possible from competent horticulturists who understand the importance of both landscape performance and marketability. Another important factor considered when selecting plants for educational and marketing campaigns is whether sufficient numbers of plants can be produced to meet the increased consumer demand generated by CEMAP efforts.