Lacebark Inc. Horticulture Research Station
Home of the first true red crapemyrtles and more landscape color.
And RootMakers, the original airoot pruning
"There are no rules here--We are trying to accomplish something." ~Thomas Edison
About
Lacebark Inc.
Located west of Stillwater, OK, Lacebark Inc. is
Dr. Carl Whitcomb's plant development and horticultural research station. It is the home of the first true red crapemyrtles, Dynamite® and Red Rocket®, as well as other patented crape myrtle and Oklahoma Tough!® branded 'Whit' Cultivars that have become industry standards.
New releases on the way in 2026!
Dr. Carl E. Whitcomb
Dr. Whitcomb's 40+ years of research has led to 37 patents and innovative products such as:
RootMakers- the Original Air-Root-Pruning Containers RootTrappers- the root-tip-trapping soft-sided containers
RootBuilders- expandable air root pruning containers
MicroMax- THE micronutrient fertilizer used worldwide
(scroll below to read patents)
Research
Besides continuing to develop new additions to the 'Whit' Cultivars of trees, shrubs and grasses, his research also addresses nursery production methods in containers, field, and transplanting into the landscape regarding water chemistry, nutrition, improving root systems, weed control, cover crops, and water conservation.
Dr. Whitcomb consults as time allows. (carl@lacebarkinc.com)
He's already started planting this year!
Thanks to some great help!
What is your favorite 'Whit' Cultivar? Send a photo of your crapemyrtle... and you might win one of Dr. Whitcomb's books.
A new sea oats cultivar soon...
Selected for drought tolerance, among other things
How about a big bluestem with pinkish growth?
Modest height of 5-7 feet
New red crapemyrtle coming soon...
Still not sure of the name of this one!
New Desert Willow coming soon...
Resistance to powdery mildew.
The Whit Cultivars Collection Brand
The Whit Cultivars Collection Brand
The Whit Cultivars Collection Brand
Visitors enjoy the display of color at the Oklahoma State University Botanic Garden.
Field Day
The Whit Cultivars Collection Brand
The Whit Cultivars Collection Brand
Ask about the DVD for this filmed educational event.
Patents
(Patents #’s 1—7 Assignment to Oklahoma State University was required.)
- A self –contained solar heated greenhouse. USA Patent #4,173,212. Assigned to Oklahoma State Univ. Never commercialized.
- A micronutrient fertilizer for container grown plants. USA Patent #4,328,025. Assigned to Oklahoma State Univ. Licensed to Sierra Chemical Co. Milpitas, CA, and then transferred to W.R. Grace Co, then to the Scotts Co, Marysville, OH. The product is sold world wide under the trademarked name Micromax®. Also patented in numerous other countries.
- A container to control plant roots. US Patent #4,442,628. Assigned to Oklahoma State University. Imperial Plastics of Evansville, IN was licensed and manufactured the container briefly.
- Air-root-pruning container. US Patent #4,497,132. Assigned to Oklahoma State University. Never commercialized.
- Air-root-pruning container. US Patent #4,510,712. Assigned to Oklahoma State University. Never commercialized.
- Centennial Spirit crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #6,383. Assigned to Oklahoma State University.
- Prairie Lace crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #6,365. Assigned to Oklahoma State University.
(Patents #’s 8 and beyond were assigned to Lacebark Inc.)
- Plant container handling and protection system. US Patent #4,793,097. An insulated pallet to protect plant roots from temperature extremes and to prevent blow over. Produced briefly by injection molding.
- Capillary irrigation system. US Patent #5,036,619. Marketed as the Water Trof®.
- Plant container handling and protection system. US Patent #4,793,097
- Root control bag. US Patent #4,574,522
- Sub irrigation mat. US Patent #4,729,189
- Plant growth container and method. US Patent #4,716,680. First version of RootBuilder® container design to trap root tips.
- Fabric container to restrict plant roots. US Patent 4,574,522
- Plant growing container for air-pruning roots. US Patent #4,753,037. The original RootMaker® container first manufactured as a cluster of four pots.
- Method and container for growing transplantable plants. US Patent #4.939, 865. The RootBuilder® expandable container system.
- Plant growing container for air-pruning roots. US Patent #5,557,886. This is the RootMaker® II design made into 18, 32 and 60 cell trays.
- Dynamite® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #10,296.
- Raspberry Sundae® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #10,297.
- Pink Velour® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #10,319.
- Red Rocket® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #11,342.
- Tightwad Red® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #11,312.
- Burgundy Cotton® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #14,438.
- Siren Red® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #14,975
- Cranberry Punch® Hardy Hibiscus, H. moscheutos. US Plant Patent #15,091
- Rhapsody in Pink® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #16,616
- City Slicker® river birch, B. nigra. US Plant Patent #16,573
- Easy Street® Lacebark Elm. US Plant Patent #16,883
- Method and Container for Growing Transplantable Plants. US Patent #7,481,025 This is the latest RootBuilder® patent with all outward projecting cones that slope slightly downward.
- Plant Container and Method. US Patent #7,774,981
- Root growth barrier and method. US Patent #7,810,275
- Plant Container and sidewall. US Patent #8,033,048
- Double Feature® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #23,559
- Powder Keg® Caddo sugar maple. US Plant Patent #23,957
- Raunchy® crapemyrtle. US Plant Patent #31873
- Lady Bug® althea. US Plant Patent #31721
- Plant Container and Method. US Patent #10,798,881
- Double Dynamite® crapemyrtle US Patent #27,085
- Vitex "Whit L' US Patent #27371
- Hibiscus Coccineus 'Whit XXII' US Patent #31751
- Indian Grass 'Whit LXXI' US Patent #33504
- Heptacodium Miconioides 'Whit LXXXI' US Patent #33515
- Southern Wax Myrtle 'Whit XXIX' US Patent #34687
- Cherry Laurel 'Whit XXXIV' US Patent #34798
Awards, Grants, Honors
48. 2022 Oklahoma State University Agricultural Champion Award
47. 2013 Honorary Member award of the Southern Nurserymen's Association, Atlanta, GA.
"For Outstanding Contributions to the Association and Horticulture Industry".
46.2006 Henry A. Wallace Award from Iowa State University College of Agriculture.
45.2003 Gold Medal Award by the Oklahoma Horticulture Society. "In recognition of your willingness to share your knowledge and experience in horticulture to nursery professionals and to all American gardeners".
44.2003 Author's Award of Excellence, International Society of Arboriculture, Feb. 2004. "In recognition for his significant impact in the field of arboriculture through the publication of books, articles, and technical papers".
43.Sidney Meadows Award of Merit, presented by the Int. Plant Propagator's Society, Oct. 9, 2000.
42.Strathmore's Who's Who 1998. "Individuals who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in their profession".
41.Who's Who in Science and Engineering, The Marquis Who's Who Publication Board. 1997.
40.Distinguished Alumni Award, Neodesha Kansas High School. 1996.
39.Fellow: International Plant Propagator's Society. Nov. 3, 1993.
38.President, International Plant Propagator's Society, Southern Chapter. 1989.
37.Program Chairman, International Plant Propagator's Society, Southern Chapter. 1988.
36.1988 Quill and Trowels Communication Award for Specialty Book by Association of Garden Writers.
35.Outstanding Industry Person, 1987, Florida Nurserymen's Association.
34.Slater Wight Memorial Award, 1986, Southern Nurserymen's Association.
33.Honorary Life Member, Oklahoma Horticulture Society. 1986.
32.Outstanding Oklahoma Nurseryman, 1985. Oklahoma Nurserymen's Association.
31.Nurseryman of the Month. Nursery Business Magazine, March 1984.
30.L.C. Chadwick Award. 1983. American Association of Nurserymen for "superior teaching, guidance, and motivation of students in the nursery and landscape arts and sciences."
29.Education and Research Committee, Inter. Soc. of Arboriculture.
28.Honorary Member, Oklahoma Nurserymen's Association, 1982.
27.Grand Review Board, Horticulture Res. Inst.
26.Editorial Review Board: Journal of Environmental Horticulture, Nursery Research Journal and Journal of Arboriculture.
25.Conference Discussion Session Moderator, Southern Region International Plant Propagator's Society, 1982.
24.Membership Committee, Southern Region International Plant Propagator's Society, 1982- 1985.
23.Review board, Horticulture Res. Inst. For publication and grants, a division of the American Assoc. of Nurserymen, 1980-present.
22.Chairman Student Affairs Committee, OSU, Faculty Council, 1979 & 1980.
21.Special recognition and plaque presented by the Oklahoma Nurserymen's Assoc., 1979 Annual Convention for Research Relative to the Oklahoma Nursery Industry.
20.Faculty Council. Elected to 3-year term, 1979.
19.Faculty Council. Elected to 1-year term, 1978.
18.Review Board, Nursery Res. Journal, 1978-present.
17.Porter Henegar Award for "excellence in research relative to the nursery industry", 1978.
16.Honorary Life Membership, Tulsa Nurserymen's Association, Tulsa, OK. 1978.
15.Who's Who in the South and Southwest.
14.Advisor, Undergraduate Student Research Award Recipient. International Plant Propagator's Society, December 1975. "In recognition of and outstanding paper in the art and science of plant propagation."
13.American Men of Science. Volume 12, 1973.
12.Dictionary of International Biography, Vol. IX, 1972.
11.Award of Appreciation. Florida Nurserymen and Grower's Association. 1971.
10.Award of Appreciation. Florida Nurserymen and Grower's Association. 1970.
9.Speaker's Citation. Institute of Sanitation Management Conf., Florida, 1970.
8."Call Him Doctor Now". The Florida Nurseryman, 14:12, 1969.
7.Personalities of the South. 1969 Edition.
6.Speaker's Club. Golf Course Superintendent's Assoc. of America, 1968.
5.Special award by Iowa State University Horticulture club for voluntary service and support, April 1967.
4.Gamma Sigma Delta.
3.Golf Course Superintendent's Association of America Scholarship. 1966.
2.Outstanding Horticulture Senior Award, Kansas State University, 1964.
1.Academic Honors, KSU, 1963.