Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1465380
6 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | APRIL 25, 2022 U C O N N R E S E A R C H A strong partner in Connecticut's future. N ativeStar, a trademark established by the University of Connecticut, provides selectively bred native plants proven to thrive and support pollinators in Connecticut. Mark Brand and Jessica Lubell-Brand are both professors in UConn's College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources' Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Program. For years, they have been developing novel cultivars, making more attractive and manageable plants for landscaping in Connecticut and areas with similar climates. The NativeStar trademark is inspired by the fact that its plants are native to the northeast region and have shown themselves to be "star" performers in the landscape. Native plants support pollinators and are, by definition, non-invasive. "Native plants have been gaining momentum and the movement continues to strengthen," Brand says. "Native use is here to stay." The trademark allows customers and nurseries to recognize which cultivars are produced by the UConn researchers and associate them with their high-quality reputation. Working closely with local and national nurseries, the researchers and UConn's Technology Commercialization Services established a testing agreement for the growth and evaluation of new plants with the nursery. The trial period can last anywhere from two to five years before a nursery can commit to a long-term license agreement. When creating innovative crosses, the inventors have breeding goals to produce plants with dense, full, and compact habits and that have exceptional foliage, flowers, fruit, or fall color. They develop specific goals for each species depending on the plant's natural characteristics. The inventors also consider how well the plants withstand regular weather conditions in the area, pests, diseases, and if they can tolerate increasingly warm temperatures brought on by global warming. Currently, there are six NativeStar plants in the American Beauties Native Plants program, a national effort to promote native plant use. "People will look for the NativeStar name," Brand says. "They know if they go with a plant with the NativeStar name, they'll generally have success." UConn-Developed "Star" Plants of the Northeast Landscape NativeStar Trademarked by UConn Plants Scientists, Licensed through Tech Commercialization Program The Myrica Gale "Lowboy" is a male, low-growing, dense version of the sweetgale plant and is part of the NativeStar American Beauties Native Plants program, developed by UConn professors. research.uconn.edu