2026 PPA National Symposium

Moderated by Laura Robles

As we move into the third education session of our Tuesday program, we look to another influential part of Michigan horticulture, the plant breeding work that has and continues to emerge from this geographic area.

First we’ll consider the importance of ornamental breeding and how advances in perennial breeding have impacted our industry over the recent decades. Wayne Gruber will walk us through this brief “journey in time,” as he discusses how the efforts of perennial plant breeders have impacted the broader industry - from growers to design to retail.

Next, we’ll shift to the work being done today in plant breeding. Dave MacKenzie, Brent Horvath, and Justin Lombardoni will each discuss their current work. By focusing on a particular genera, each will delve into their work, sharing their goals and vision for how these new introductions will continue to move the perennial plant industry forward.

Dave  MacKenzie will be talking about three genera of grasses that he works with, and the surprising amount of bio-diversity that has arisen from his crosses and selections. Andropogon, Panicum and Schizachyrium are widespread in nature and important ecologically, but aren’t always a good fit in the constructed landscape—perhaps too large, too floppy, or simply not the right shape or color. Dave has endeavored to develop “nativars” that fit the constructed world in terms of architectural qualities with the hope that they will bring the same ecosystem benefits to the constructed landscape as they do the natural landscape.