Plants For Europe has today issued a press release and written to growers around Europe to remind them that Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow is protected by Plant Variety Rights. The text of the press release is as follows (you can also download the press release by clicking here):

Plants For Europe Limited, the independent plant breeders’ agent, is taking steps to remind growers that Euphorbia martinii Ascot Rainbow is protected by European Plant Variety Rights.

Graham Spencer, director of Plants For Europe, said “We are concerned that there are plants in the trade that are not carrying PVR information, either on the label, on delivery notes or in catalogues/websites. We wish to gain the support of growers and retailers to ensure that all plants are correctly marked, in accordance with current regulations.”

“We will be writing to all licensed growers of this plant as well as their customers to ensure that this message is understood.”

The Plant Variety Rights are the property of the breeder of Ascot Rainbow, David Glenn. The rights allow Mr Glenn, through his agent Plants For Europe, to control the propagation, marketing, sale, distribution and import/export of Ascot Rainbow. Growers and retailers found to be handling unlicensed product will be subject to legal action by the breeder and agent.

Ascot Rainbow is a stunning new introduction that has proven to be amazingly popular with growers and gardeners alike. It offers handsome brightly variegated foliage that is attractive through the year. It is hardy and easy to grow, making a compact and bushy plant.

The GAN Trade Show is becoming increasingly important as a curtain-raiser on the new year for British hardy ornamentals. You will hear people talk about the atmosphere there – as a seasoned veteran of several years of attending, we can say it is one of the most informal and relaxed events you can go to. And the catering is always first class!

Graham will be there for most of the day. Already, he has three four important meetings in his schedule. If you want to meet him there, we recommend you contact us to make an appointment.

See you there!

This website has had some major updates in the Portfolio of Plants section.

You will now find many of the products we represent listed here, with a PDF file containing detailed product information and lovely photographs of each variety.

You can now follow Plants For Europe on Twitter. Graham posts frequently (but not 100 times a day!) on the Twitter account grahampfe.

To follow us, simply click here:

Plans are well advanced for IPM Essen 2011. IPM remains one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) and most important events in our field of horticulture, with participants from all the major and most smaller companies from across Europe and around the world. Graham will be at the event for the whole duration of the show, from Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 January. Naturally, he would like to meet with as many people as possible during the show, so please contact us now to make an appointment.

EDIT: Tuesday now looks pretty full; Wednesday and Thursday are filling fast! Act now to make an appointment!

Members of the LinkedIn Plant Breeders and Agents Group are reminded that there will be a networking event for members in the Saal Rheinland meeting room at Messe Essen on Tuesday 25 January, starting at 4.30pm.

We are currently experiencing severe adverse weather. 30cm of snow has already accumulated and more is falling.

We have canceled all meetings, as the roads in this area are virtually impassable. We have also not received any service from Royal Mail for several days, so we have no mail going in or out.

A thaw is expected on Sunday, so we hope that conditions will improve soon. But it is very pretty!

UPDATE: the promised thaw has arrived.