Nurseries Ordered to Destroy Plants

Six growers got a wake up call this spring when they received orders to destroy their plants. The orders were not due to a plant disease or an exotic insect infestation; it was because they were caught illegally propagating and selling patented plants. Proven Winners ColorChoice, with the assistance of an independent auditing firm, conducted a series of audits which were chosen both randomly and based on tips from officially licensed growers.

“When we get reports of illegal propagation, we take them very seriously” states Jennifer Holland, Licensing Manager of Proven Winners ColorChoice. “We owe it to our breeders and to our legitimate licensed growers to protect them from illegal sales and propagation. It’s unfortunate, but with the high level of demand for these new plants, there are some people that cut corners to save a few pennies. The irony is that, in the end, they’ve made a very costly decision.”

Proven Winners ColorChoice plans to expand its audits to locate illegally propagated plants at both the wholesale and retail levels. To spot illegally propagated plants they utilize a mandatory Proven Winners plant tag, and warn all buyers that the absence of this tag is an indicator of illegal propagation. Plants located without the mandatory tags could be subject to destruction, and those in possession of the illegal plants potentially face fines and or prosecution.

For further information about the 72 unique, protected flowering shrubs sold under the Proven Winners brand, go to www.provenwinners.com or www.springmeadownursery.com. To report suspected illegal propagation, contact Jennifer Holland at 800/633-8859 ext 1105 or Jennifer@springmeadownursery.com. All tips will be treated confidentially.