Deep Roots in Minnesota: Advice from a Local Leading Horticulture Researcher

When considering what to plant in Minnesota or areas with similar USDA plant hardiness zones, the insight of a Minnesota-grown horticulture researcher is unmatched. We had the remarkable opportunity to learn from and about the talented Midwesterner and LGBTQ+ community member Dr. Matthew Clark (he/him). Dr. Clark is the Director of Research of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s Horticultural Research Center (HRC), which has become a leading center of fruit research for the upper Midwest. Additionally, he serves as an Associate Professor of fruit breeding at the University of Minnesota. Previously, he focused on grape breeding and the science of winemaking (enology). He described to us his recent transition from studying grape genetics to a focus on apple breeding.

Dr. Clark’s longtime expertise is in using both traditional and molecular plant-breeding approaches to cultivate grapes for cold-climates. He used his knowledge of grape genetics to discover the mechanisms of resistance to common grapevine pests in order to help cultivate new grape varieties with resistances that allow for reduction of pesticide use. Dr. Clark applies such knowledge daily as a member of the team working on the Triumph apple at the HRC. The Triumph apple was developed to balance sustainability with consumer enjoyment; it is a delicious and tart red apple with two forms of resistance to a common fungus that causes apple scabbing in order to increase storage life and decrease need for fungicides or pesticides. 

Although he is currently focused on apples, Dr. Clark is excited to announce that the University of Minnesota will be releasing a table grape variety that grows well in Minnesota’s climate and will “knock the consumer’s socks off.” He reports that there are currently not many grape options for fresh eating rather than winemaking that grow well in our region. 

Dr. Clark has an interesting origin story for his work as a scientist. Although he reports a lifelong love of plants to the extent of reading every book in his hometown library about plants, his bachelor’s degree was in Psychology. His initial career plans included graduate programs in psychology and gender studies. After starting the process of applying to such graduate programs, he attended the workshop of a horticulturalist. He was previously unaware of people with such prolific careers working with plants. It was then that he shifted gears and applied for master’s degrees in Applied Plant Science which culminated in a Ph.D in the subject from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Clark is grateful for the researchers who saw a promising young scientist in him despite an unconventional path to advanced plant biology.

His favorite parts of his research include choosing plant parents for HRC apple breeding and training graduate students in the art and science of plant breeding, which can be a long but rewarding process that is vital for agriculture. Dr. Clark notes that the discovery phase is the most energizing aspect of the fruit breeding research process. This phase is where new tastes, textures, and colors are observed for the first time. He finds joy and motivation in discovering these new sensory experiences and other helpful characteristics like resistances. Finding enjoyment in the process of his research is important as the development of a new apple variety can take twenty-five years. Novel grape varieties take three to five years. 

Graciously, Dr. Clark has provided us with recommendations for Minnesota plant hobbyists of all skill levels. For beginners, he highly recommends winter squash as nearly foolproof. When drought occurs, growing just about anything becomes a challenge. However, squashes often turn out alright nonetheless. For annual flowers, consider marigolds. They come in such a wide variety of colors, textures, stem heights, and flower sizes that Dr. Clark suggests one could plant a beautiful garden of marigolds exclusively. Additionally, marigolds are often edible and provide historical learning opportunities as they are treasured by many cultures around the world. For advanced growers, he recommends visiting specialty nurseries to find unique options like magnolia trees or delicate stone fruit trees that can still do well in Minnesota with proper care. Generally speaking, his favorite plant for Minnesota gardens is the Eastern hemlock due to its form and adaptability. For apartment dwellers, Dr. Clark recommends nasturtium as a versatile and lovely flowering plant. If he only had one basket, he says he would grow nasturtium.

For his own garden, Dr. Clark opts for both native and non-native plants where appropriate. While he encourages use of native plants to support birds and insects, his garden is reportedly not complete without two plants not native to North America: roses and tomatoes. Roses predominantly originate from Asia with a small number of wild roses being native to various parts of North America. Tomatoes are native to South America. He protects and highlights his roses by planting green herbs next to them for texture, color change, diversity, and utility. He describes tomato growing as essential, delicious, and fun.

In 2024, we can look forward to quite literally tasting the fruit of his labor with the release of a highly anticipated table grape variety. Currently, the University of Minnesota only offers two table grape varieties as opposed to eight wine grape varieties with the most recent table grape having been introduced in 1977. To learn more about the exceptional fruit breeding research performed at the HRC, visit the Landscape Arboretum’s Farm at the Arb. The best time to see the grapes is usually late summer and early fall.

Grow your own! 
To see all of the University of Minnesota’s hardy plant introductions, go to mnhardy.umn.edu. 
Check local nurseries for these varieties, which are suitable for home gardeners:
Apples 
Haralson
Triumph
Zestar 
Wine grapes 
Clarion
Itasca
Frontenac noir / gris