The Power of Pink

[pressld2]

Am I worrying unneccessarily?

My employer plays an active role in breast cancer awareness and has just launched a "Power of Pink" campaign. Nothing wrong with that so far. But they have sent through the post to all employees a card impregnated with the seeds of pink wildflowers and instruction on how to plant it and grow the flowers.

Here's my concern: My employer is a large multinational headquartered in the US and this card of seeds was posted from Illinois. There is nothing included to indicate what species of wildflower are in the card but I think it's unlikely they're British ones. Given the invasive nature of certain plants I'm not sure this is a good idea. But equally, given the international nature of the horticultural business and the fact that most garden plants sold in the UK are not British natives either, does it matter?

Your thoughts please...

Dave P.

[faz]

i thought it was against the law to introduce any flora/fauna to the uk.

[Deb London]

Interesting question.

I note from the internet that Nicky's Nursery cannot ship seeds to the US and other places, due to import restrictions. So it does seem a little odd for your company to try and encourage movement the other way Dave.

I would like to know what others think.

[pressld2]

Thanks both. I may have to contact Natural England tomorrow for their take on it.

Dave P.

[Dorts]

Something like 90% of all flower seeds sold in Britain come from plants grown in Costa Rica!
Most of our shrubs and trees come from Italy and Holland.
A large proportion of mixed bulk wildflower seeds are grown abroad. The majority of our common garden plants are now grown abroad; most species in our gardens are originally fom wild stock from countries all round the globe.

New 'wild' species thought suitable for the British garden are constantly being searched for world-wide at great expense by plant and seed companies.
Thousands of species not native to these shores have been found growing wild here, having found their way here by many various means. Most of our wild-bird seed comes from abroad.

So it is very unlikely that these seeds will include anything that isn't already growing here somewhere.
Dorts.

[pressld2]

Thanks Dorts. I'm sure you're right and it won't be a problem.

I did call NE this morning but they passed me onto the non-native species unit in DEFRA and I'm waiting for a call back from them.

Dave P.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by pressld2

Thanks Dorts. I'm sure you're right and it won't be a problem.
I did call NE this morning but they passed me onto the non-native species unit in DEFRA and I'm waiting for a call back from them.
Dave P.

Generally speaking, DEFRA says that seed may be imported from any country if that seed has been certifiied by the exporting country, under which DEFRA has an agreement.
There are further restrictions if the seed is to be re-packaged here.

Un-certified seed may also be imported, but there are restrictions on seed from very rare plants, (just as with animal products from rare species), or certain seeds of known aggresive species.

However, as I have said, an enormous volume of potted and container plants from various countries are imported into Britain every year. Who knows what seeds may be lurking in the soil of these plants, many of which would have been grown outside in an open environment where native seed could easily contaminate the soil?

So there really is no barrier to new plants getting here by that method, or by certified seed containing 'weed-species'.
Dorts.

[Kayleigh]

My hubbies company are doing the same his too has large multinational headquartered in the US and we got the same card with the pink seeds impregnated I thought they were British
It was addressed to him so I didn't see where they came from.
He also got a black t-shirt to wear today with a pink emblem on it to raise awareness.

[Dorts]

I await with interest to see what 'pink-flowers' appear from these seeds next year.
Dorts.

[loripo]

If you look up 'seed-paper' or Plant-it cards it looks like the latest in advertising gimmics. THese were being handed at in my local shopping centre to advertise an Estate Agent chain...