Germplasm

The OPGC holds approximately 7,000 accessions within about 400 genera and about 2000 species of herbaceous ornamental plants that are distributed to investigators, breeders, and educators worldwide upon request. The majority of these accessions are conserved as seed, but significant collections of Begonia and Pelargonium are maintained as clonal plants.

Since 2007, the OPGC has dedicated 80% of its genebanking efforts to developing and optimizing germplasm for 6 priority genera (Begonia, Coreopsis, Lilium, Phlox, Rudbeckia and Viola). As these collections mature, new priorities are established in consultation with the Herbaceous Ornamentals Crop Germplasm Committee, a national group that meets yearly to assess the germplasm needs of herbaceous ornamentals.