In essence, that's how the system works now with nurseries - although the process isn't open to just anyone, necessarily, but those whom the breeder allows to propagate are entered into an agreement for compensation as long as certain rules are followed. I completely agree that the nursery industry ought to be kept on the same short leash it's already on because of the potential for abuse, but I also believe that the purchase of a patented plant should be treated somewhat as a license to own one copy of said plant, somewhat the way computer software is licensed. If private individuals are inclined to propagate the plant (i.e., request more licenses) as long as the plants are for private, non-commercial use, it would be nice to have a process for them to directly purchase the license to propagate X copies of that plant without having to deal with a middle man. Someone could easily and willingly afford to pay the hybridizer much more than the nursery industry does, and still be getting a heck of a deal over buying the plant through a nursery. Even a dollar or two per plant going to the breeder would be a significant improvement over the standard today, and this is obviously a pittance compared to what people pay for roses at the garden center. The breeder wins in this scenario. Profit from individuals wanting to purchase licenses from the breeder, with very few exceptions, is arguably not going to take away from the nursery industry's earnings on ready-for-planting patented roses. The vast majority of people are too impatient or lack the skills to propagate their own roses anyway, so it seems fair to give those who are willing a way to make and own copies permissably. In fact, the idea of having some kind of tangible "license to own" could catch on as a way to police illegally propagated or sold plant materials, not that I'm advocating anything like that without further study :) The nursery industry on the whole wins because the breeder gains financially, which ultimately stimulates the creation of more new roses that can fuel sales. They are too short-sighted and profit-driven to realize that paying a bit more to the breeder ultimately helps their own bottom line, but it would. Finally, average-Joe-gardener wins because there is more freedom of choice, less fear of having to do something illegitimately because there is a reasonable, affordable alternative, and because the better-compensated breeder can afford to generate even more roses. I'm sure I haven't thought of everything, but it is something that's crossed my mind on a number of occasions. There are probably all kinds of horrendous side effects to this kind of good idea.

That's really too bad, KC! I've been ordering from them for years. They were the first nursery that I know of to specialize in native plants - after they had been in business a while, they started adding a lot of non-natives, especially those they found on their trips to China. Thanks for the heads up - I'll check out their site. I'm glad I already ordered my lindera subcoriaceas from them - 'sure couldn't get those anywhere else! Sherry

Bah, I can't even look, I'll be too tempted, and I already ordered some from Corn Hill. I'm maxed out on my spending for ornamental's this year, I need to save the rest for apples and plums.

Don, got some big ole eyes on a few of those new fragrant plants. Some were a mass of roots with eyes poking out every which way, making it hard to tell which end went up. I combed out the roots like a string mop, and popped them in a good sized pot, and placed the whole lot of them in the best shade I have. Which is the courtyard for blue leafed hosta. Last couple of days, the sun has kicked it up a notch, and the ones I boldly located in a LOT of sun are soon to be moved to a more protected spot. Or else I buy more patio umbrellas? When rain begins, I lower the umbrellas to let the hosta beneath be watered. And, nothing goes flying in the wind either. Never fear, pictures will soon follow when leaves unfurl. I'm pleased with the new arrivals. Mostly greens, a few golds, but hey, I love green.