Patented Plants

Writen by Briscoe White

Most plant buyers pay little mind to the fine print on plant tags. Believe it or not, even plants come with fine print these days. What is said is that the plant with the tag is property of the patent holder, and the purchaser is buying the right to grow that plant until it is dead. It is true: you can do just about anything you want with the plant, except propagate it. In the ornamental industry we feel that we have gained by this explosion of patented plants available. Twenty years ago lantana and verbena were considered exotics; now hundreds of new varieties are introduced each year. All these new plants have certainly been fun for us gardeners.

For those looking for a down side; there are certain factors that could be viewed as disturbing. In the ornamental horticulture industry, large corporations have come to dominate a once mom and pop industry. Starting a small plant business is not easy, as most plants are now sold at big box retailers and grocery stores. So the neighborhood plant store is a thing of the past; not exactly the end of the world, just a little more homogenized.

The corporate take over of agriculture is as complete as that of ornamental horticulture. Our nursery is part of a working farm, so we deal with farm issues also. Discussion of America's farms and food is a topic unto itself. To tell you the truth I do not know where to begin a story of corporate take over of just about everything America eats. Every one likes to eat so it should be of interest to everyone. But it is also true that no one seems to care to hear about farm issues. For sure, one day we will care. For the best information about sustainable farming contact: AcresUSA.com, the voice for eco-agriculture.

In 1985, Briscoe White opened The Growers Exchange in an abandoned Texaco station on a busy urban street corner in Richmond, Virginia. The facility has grown over the years, and is now 5 distinct growing environments with 5 acres under cover. Briscoe has over 25 years of gardening experience. For further information on gardening products or gardening tips please contact Briscoe White at bwhite@thegrowersexchange.com.