Furthering the improvement of the grade, variety, and availability of horticultural products to the general public.

About

The Louisiana Society for Horticultural Research (LSHR) began with a plant collecting trip to search for new plant materials that would be adaptable to Louisiana. Ms. U.B. Evans of Ferriday, Louisiana was instrumental in bringing together the first members.

In June and July of 1954, Ms. Evans called on persons who she felt would be interested in sending a plant collector to Bolivia. The response was enthusiastic, and the Louisiana Society for Horticultural Research was officially organized at that July 1954 meeting, with Professor Ira S. Nelson setting out for Bolivia in August.

This trip became the first of many, and the society has grown ever since. There are presently 261 members, with more than 77,000 individual plants having been released.

HISTORY

Member Information

L to R: Mrs. U.B. Evans (“Miss Jo”), LCGF President 1947-1949); Professor Ira “Ike” Schreiber Nelson (SLI/USL faculty 1942-1965); Daily Advertiser article “Horticulture Sign Dedicated” (published Nov. 26, 1978), pictured: Earl Vallot (area nurseryman and USL Alumnus), Dr. James Foret (Dean of the USL College of Agriculture), Mrs. Ira Nelson (“Barbara”), and Claude LeDoux (President of the USL Horticulture Club.)

Scholarships

Since 1954, LSHR has offered scholarships to promising horticulture students to advance the field. Two thousand dollar ($2,000) scholarships ($1,000 per semester) are awarded annually to undergraduate and graduate students. 

Scholarship applicants are reviewed annually at the LSHR Spring Board meeting.
Applications must be received by February 1, 2027.

2027 Application

2027 APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicants must be enrolled in a Louisiana College and/or University at the Junior, Senior, or ‍postgraduate level. 

  • U.S. residency required.

  • Full-time student in good standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

  • Horticulture, plant science, or closely related field of study.

  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from a current or former faculty member or professional in the major field of study.

  • Submission of applicant’s official transcript required.

  • Submission of current year’s application required.

Plant Releases

CURRENT

2026 Releases List
2026 Evaluation Form

ARCHIVES

- Coming Soon

1959–2020 Comprehensive

Research

CURRENT

2027 Funding Guidelines

ARCHIVES - Articles

The Compost Pile

CURRENT - 2026

Spring
Summer

ARCHIVES

Member Information

LSHR Constitution
LSHR Bylaws

ANNUAL MEETING

March 13, 2027

Schedule of Events - TBD