Abstract: An air-root-pruning container for growing a plant and a unitary flat including a plurality of the containers. The air-root-pruning container includes a base and a sidewall upwardly extending from the base. The sidewall includes inwardly projecting ribs, each rib extending in an upward direction along the sidewall, and each rib having a first side and a second side. The sidewall further includes ledges extending from the first side of each rib, ledges extending from the second side of each rib, and holes through the sidewall, each hole being positioned adjacent a location where one of the ledges extends from one of the ribs. For each rib, each of the ledges extending from the first side of the rib extend from the rib at a location that is vertically offset from a location where each of the ledges extending from the second side of the rib extend from the rib.

Abstract: A plant container has a base and a sidewall upwardly extending from the base. The sidewall includes stepped sidewall sections that each include a plurality of generally vertical sidewall panels having successively larger cross-sectional dimensions with distance from the base and horizontal ledges extending between an upper edge of an adjacent lower one of the sidewall panels and a lower edge of an adjacent upper one of the sidewall panels. The sidewall further includes a plurality of ribs, where each rib is formed between two of the stepped sidewall sections and extends inwardly across the ledges of the two stepped sidewall sections. Each rib has two legs that extend apart to form an outwardly-directed open channel. Holes are formed in the sidewall for air root pruning, where each hole is formed directly between a ledge and a leg of one of the ribs.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of vitex, Vitex negundo, particularly distinguished by having a compact, much branched, dwarf growth habit, with dense dark green leaves, interspersed with spikes of sterile, blue-purple flowers.

Abstract: A variety of sugar maple, Acer saccharum, subspecies, Caddo, named ‘WHIT XLV’, is characterized by an upright and oval growth habit at the age of 16 years, but is expected to develop a more rounded crown with age and may reach a height of 30 feet with a 25 foot spread. Leaves emerge medium green and quickly change to very dark glossy green. When adequate spring moisture is present, all leaves on the flush of growth develop full size. However, when spring moisture becomes limiting before all leaves on the twig are produced, the younger leaves will become progressively smaller in size yet the same shape and dark green color. No flowers have been produced on this tree by age 16 years. Fall color develops late in the fall after various species of trees have developed fall color and most of the leaves have fallen.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of crapemyrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, particularly distinguished by having a much branched, near globular growth habit, and a near constant show of sterile, ruby red flowers from bright crimson flower buds during the growing season. Because the plant is sterile, old flowers stay showy longer, and new flower buds form in the same positions as flowers that age and fall away. Inflorescences are only between 1.5 and 6 inches long but are produced in great numbers across the outer surface of the network of branches.

Abstract: A water retention device is used in conjunction with a plant container. The water retention device comprises a resilient plate structure forming a central cover, a sidewall extending from a perimeter of the central cover, and a slot extending through the sidewall and a portion of the central cover. The sidewall engages an inner surface of the plant container and supports the central cover at a spaced distance above a growth medium. The resilient plate structure is manually configurable to open the slot for receiving a plant stem so that the plant stem extends through the central cover. Water may be supplied to the plant container using either a spray stake disposed under the central cover or using a trough formed in the central cover. Where a spray stake is used, the inner surfaces of the sidewall and central cover may include ribs that deflect water.

Abstract: A watering device includes a cover, support members, and a water nozzle secured to the underneath side of cover. The water nozzle directs water outward along the first side of the cover to distribute water across the top surface of the plant growth medium in a nursery plant container. A desired water deflection pattern may optionally be achieved using one or more water deflectors secured to the underneath side of the cover in a position within a water distribution pattern of the water nozzle. The cover may include an open slot allowing the cover to be placed about the stem of a plant growing in the container and set on the top surface of the plant growth medium.

Abstract: A plant container and sidewall comprising a nonporous root-tip-trapping region and a porous air-root-pruning region combined to form the sidewall. The most preferred configuration has the root-tip-trapping region forming a contiguous upper portion of the sidewall and the air-root-pruning region forming the lower portion of the sidewall. Preferably, the root-tip-trapping region will form between ½ and 9/10 of the sidewall, most preferably between ? and ¾ of the sidewall. The advantages of the unique sidewall construction include preventing root circling, promoting water conservation, eliminating perched water tables, and providing proper aeration. These advantages promote plants that are healthier overall and grow faster.

Abstract: A root growth barrier and method for use with transplantable plants is provided. The barrier is a bilayer, comprising an inner layer of a root-tip-trapping material bonded to an outer layer of a root-impenetrable material. The inner layer faces the roots of a plant and serves to trap root tips to promote root branching. When a black or dark-colored inner layer is bonded to a white or light colored reflective outer layer, soil temperatures are lower and water retention is promoted. Such a barrier may be used as a freestanding container for plants or be manufactured into preformed rolls for use in plant pots and containers.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of crapemyrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, particularly distinguished by having a much branched, near globular growth habit, and a near constant show of sterile, ruby red flowers from bright crimson flower buds during the growing season. Because the plant is sterile, old flowers stay showy longer, and new flower buds form in the same positions as flowers that age and fall away. Inflorescences are only between 1.5 and 6 inches long but are produced in great numbers across the outer surface of the network of branches.

Abstract: A variety of sugar maple, Acer saccharum var. caddo, named ‘WHIT XLV’, is characterized by an upright and oval growth habit at the age of 16 years, but is expected to develop a more rounded crown with age and may reach a height of 30 feet with a 25 foot spread. Leaves emerge medium green and quickly change to very dark glossy green. When adequate spring moisture is present, all leaves on the flush of growth develop full size. However, when spring moisture becomes limiting before all leaves on the twig are produced, the younger leaves will become progressively smaller in size yet the same shape and dark green color. No flowers have been produced on this tree by age 16 years. Fall color develops late in the fall after various species of trees have developed fall color and most of the leaves have fallen.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of crapemyrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, particularly distinguished by having a much branched upright growth habit, a near constant show of sterile, cardinal red flowers from bright crimson flower buds during the warm growing season, with lighter red flowers during rainy periods or cooler fall conditions. Because the plant is sterile, old flowers stay showy longer and new flower buds form in the same positions as flowers that age and fall away. Inflorescences are short around the base of the plant, but are 12 to 14 inches long and 6 to 12 inches wide in the upper parts of the plant. The plant is highly resistant to both powdery mildew and Cercospora leaf spot under north central Oklahoma conditions.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of vitex, Vitex negundo, particularly distinguished by having a compact, much branched, dwarf growth habit, with dense dark green leaves, interspersed with spikes of sterile, blue-purple flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Hibiscus syriacus, rose-of-sharon, named ‘Whit XXI’, particularly distinguished by having a compact, semi-dwarf, much branched upright elliptical shape, with dark green leaves, developing a high population of buds and flowers. Emergence of flower petals from the buds are at first dark red, then with expansion, red blotches on pink, then when fully opened the red blotches are no longer visible and flowers are pink. Flowers are sterile and long lasting.

Abstract: The new Hibiscus coccineus plant, ‘Whit XXII’ is characterized by a dense, dwarf, spherical growth habit, typically 20 to 30 inches in diameter covered by dense green foliage during the growing season and accentuated by large scarlet flowers dispersed over the entire form. Flowers last only one day, changing the flowering appearance of the plant daily, but flowering continues for 60 to 90 days depending on growing conditions.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as crapemyrtle, named ‘Whit XI’, particularly distinguished by having a unique complex of highly modified sepals on a network of large, loose panicle-like structures. The plant does not produce flowers. The leaves are simple, alternate with a smooth margin, typical of the species. Young leaves emerge slightly crimson-green, maturing to dark green. Inflorescences are comprised of a network of irregular stem structures terminating in highly modified panicles with highly modified sepals, at first light purple in color, darkening with age to a darker purple and finally to brown. The inflorescences grow in a network over the surface of the plant and appear and function somewhat like normal flowers. As the modified sepals age they turn brown, but at the same time the panicle continues to grow slowly, producing new sepals light purple in color, which continues the appearance of flowering.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans, designated cultivar ‘Whit LXXI’ substantially as illustrated and described herein having distinct blue-grey foliage and compact stature with stout culms supporting rusty-tan colored flower plumes beginning in mid-summer. This new cultivar is characterized by a transitioning growth habit during the growing season, beginning with blue-grey foliage, dwarf stems that grow about 16 to 25 inches tall during spring to mid-summer, then dense tufts of flowering culms supporting additional blue-grey leaves making the plant foliage about 30 to 40 inches tall, continuing with the extension of plume like very upright rusty-tan seed heads 46 to 58 inches tall. The new variety of Indian grass is a distinctly superior seedling selected from multiple generations of seedlings resulting from research that began in 1997.

Abstract: A new and distinct Heptacodium miconioides, Fall Festival Tree aka Seven Sons Flower, designated cultivar ‘Whit LXXXI’ providing year round interest in the landscape. The color begins with early emergence of dark green leaves, followed by a floral show of flowers in late summer or early fall, large concentrations of fragrant white flowers, then after flowers fall, sepals elongate from barely visible to ? to ? inch and turn crimson creating a second flower-like show in the landscape then after the sepal show is stopped and leaves drop due to frost, the outer bark sloughs off revealing white bark that remains a color show in the landscape until early spring when leaves emerge again. ‘Whit LXXXI’ is cold hardy to ?30 F., but also does well where little or no frost occurs, roughly zones 4 through 9. Free of disease or insect problems.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of southern wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera, which has been given the cultivar name ‘Whit XXIX’ is characterized by an upright growth habit with dense evergreen foliage which is aromatic and resistant to damage by white tail deer and tolerant to cold down to ?18 F. Foliage is dense, with the many broad flat leaves making it effective as a visual barrier as well as noise reduction. The new cultivar ‘Whit XXIX’ has more dense branching and more leaves compared to other plants of similar size and age, with branches primarily produced on the second (summer) flush.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of cherry laurel, Prunus caroliniana, with exceptional tolerance to cold, down to ?18 F, which has been given the cultivar name ‘Whit XXXIV’ is characterized by an upright growth habit with dense broad flat evergreen foliage making it effective as a visual barrier as well as noise reduction.