Re: Collecting seed

> Chris's recent post on collecting seeds from a wild plot raised a garden
> etiquette question that I've never had satisfactorily answered -  
> Perhaps all you experienced gardeners can help.

Hi Pat,

   First, I want to defend myself by saying that it's really not a wild
   plot.  :)  It's on the grounds of the University President's house, 
   in a space that used to be sprayed with RoundUp.  So I figure I'm
   protecting the plants, if anything.  :)

   I also was collecting from plants that had reseeded into the lawn,
   which was mowed regularly.  And I'm a University employee, so I 
   had a right to be there...  And...  :)

> When is collecting seed from gardens other than your own allowed?  For
> instance - I'm walking along and see seed pods from a columbine, or a
> dried rudbeckia head, or whatever, and I'd love a few . . . . Do I
> simply shake the pod into my hand and keep walking?  Do I ask the
> property owner (in my neck of the woods we have a lot of farmland and
> large vacant areas of land)?  What about more formal gardens - perhaps
> an arboretum or Botanical garden?   

   You really should ask the landowner if it's private property.  On
   public grounds, I'd say it depends on the situation.  I dug up
   some shooting stars that were getting mowed over weekly once, and
   now they're happy in my garden.  But if you're affecting a native
   stand, you could be causing problems.

   You also should take care with your collecting -- taking seed from
   populations of endangered species could get you in big trouble.  And
   you'd be surprised by what's considered endangered in your area...
   According to state law, I can't grow many plants that are available
   at my local nursery without getting a permit first...  Not to 
   mention collecting seed from wild stands.

   If you're at an arboretum or botanical garden, don't do it.  Almost
   every single garden in the U.S. doesn't allow any kind of collecting
   without first obtaining a permit of some sort. 

> What do you think -and what have you experienced?

   I don't know if you remember, but Gene Bush listed this as one of his
   pet peeves.  I can understand it too, especially if you're waiting 
   for seed for private use, trying to hybridize plants, etc.

Chris

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index