Scientific Research that Informs Sustainable Gardening Practices
The Garden Ecology Lab group engages in a diversity of scientific research projects that are focused on informing sustainable gardening and landscaping practices. Below, you will find a variety of resources that have been emerged, as a result of our studies. You can also find this collection of resources as a collection in Oregon State University Scholars Archive.
Garden Ecology Lab Briefs
In cooperation with 10-Minute UniversityTM, and funded by the Clackamas County Master Gardener Association and members of the Garden Ecology League, these briefs help gardeners translate our lab's research findings into sustainable gardening practices.
Briefs from Our Study of Pollinators on Native Plants and Native Cultivars
- Breeding Native Plants has Ecological Trade-Offs (New!)
- Plant Parentage Complicates Native Status (New!)
- Protecting Bulbs from Gophers (New!)
- Pollinators on Native Cultivars versus Native Plants (New!)
- Exploring Color through the Eyes of Bees
- Leafcutter Bees have Petal Preferences
- The Diets of Specialist Bees
Briefs from Our Study of Insects Associated with Pacific NW Native Wildflowers
Briefs from Our Studies of Garden Soils
- Common Garden Soil Bacteria Microbes
- Gardeners Overapply Compost and Fertilizer
- Cultivating Garden Soil Bacteria Microbes
Briefs from Our Studies of Garden Bees
Learn More About the Bees in Your Garden
- iNaturalist Guide to Summer Garden Bees of Portland: this online guide provides an overview of bees found in Portland-area gardens.
- Portland Bee Guide: this booklet is a companion to the online, iNaturalist Guide (above). It contains natural history details for 67 species that were collected from Portland area gardens during a 3-year study (2017-2019).
Learn More About the Plants that Attract Pollinators
- Native Plant Picks for Bees: this OSU Extension publication highlights 10 native plants that are highly attractive to bees, and is based upon Aaron Anderson's Ph.D. research.
Learn More About Native Plants for Garden Spaces
- How to Buy a Native Plant: an infographic to help you identify wild-type native plants in retail outlets.
- What's in a Name: Reading Plant Labels: an infographic to help you decipher and understand plant labels in retail outlets.