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.

My answer is: nothing. I love designing spaces, and I would want very much to start with a blank slate wherever I go. Oh, I may take a few seeds from plants that are good all-around fillers, but I would really want to design from the bare ground up. An arresting conversation. I've been thinking along these lines for a year or so now, without really realizing I was doing so. My DH has been muttering for years upon years that we should finish up the house (it's been in a continuous state of remodel for.e.ver) and sell it. I've been constantly expanding the garden, not really concentrating on the idea of leaving until about a year ago when, all of a sudden, he started actually doing the things that needed to be done to get us out of here. I figure we have about 1 1/2 years of work left to do on the interior, then it's on to other pastures. I continue to plant, transplant, sow, etc., but I didn't realize until today, while reading this thread, that a lot of my recent planting decisions have been centered around ease of maintenance and creating more of an "outdoor room." I've never really cared about ease of maintenance before, and I know for a fact that the "outdoor room" concept comes directly from home improvement television shows, and is almost entirely to do with increasing perceived value. There are a lot of reasons why a person would have to be a gardener to really want our home (no grass anywhere, for one), and an avid gardener with an appreciation for the offbeat, at that. I guess I've been thinking that if we can sell the garden as an extension of the living space, rather than something for the neighbors to look at, we might have a better shot at non-avid-gardeners without ripping out half of what I've done and sowing grass seed. Of course, I'm an avid gardener and I wouldn't want to move into a home with an already-established garden. Lots to think about.

Anton, What a handsome guy you are! :) Are you Italian? You have similar features as my husband, who is VERY Italian! LOL! (Features which I happen to adore, by the way!) :) Anyway, forgive the rant...loved the story! I was SOOOO sad when I called them a couple weeks ago looking for the Italian Purple Beefera, only to find out they were out of them. I would have had to jump through major hoops trying to get some of my husband's family to go there, buy the fig, package it up and ship it to me....but I was willing to do it. Oh well....sounds like you have yourself some real nice trees there! When you taste the ones they gave you, will you take pics and share?? :) I'd be willing to buy a small cutting off you, if you're up for it. At any rate, thanks for sharing your experience! ~ Erin

Roxanne - it was indeed beautiful. Took a quick photo on my way to work - pulled over on the side of the road of course! Already looking forward to next spring and the first set of leafs....it would be nice to have a small winter and a trip to the snow though. Makes you appreciate the warmer weather more. Cheers! Dan