About OecoHort

The name OecoHort (pronounced ee-co-hort) was created from two Latin terms, oecologia (ecology) and hortus (from which the word horticulture is derived). Ecology and horticulture, along with biology, are the three main components of the interdisciplinary approach to the services I provide.

This interdisciplinary approach arose from personal and professional experiences with native wildflowers and grasses over the past 13 years. Starting in 1996, I developed a successful, ecologically oriented native wildflower program while a faculty member at the University of Florida /IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, a position I held from 1987 to March 2009. The focus of my native wildflower program, with a secondary emphasis on native grasses, was on technology oriented and fundamental issues related to establishment and management of plantings as well as commercial seed and container production.

Research and outreach activities centered on subjects relevant to both use and production of pre-variety germplasm – seed biology, cultural practices associated with population management, and genetics. My experience with weed management in ornamentals from 1987 to 1995 served me well as weeds can have a significant impact on management of native wildflowers and grasses in seed or container production as well in natural and planted populations.