Blooms and Beyond - Season 1, Episode 5Episode Title:“The Plant Hunter: Inside the World of International Plant Exploration with Judson LeCompte”Episode DescriptionEver wonder how the plants at your local garden center made their way from a breeder’s field in Japan or a mountain in China to your backyard? In this episode, Dr. Ping Yu sits down with Dr. Judson LeCompte, Product Development Manager at Spring Meadow Nursery and international plant hunter for Proven Winners Color Choice. Judson shares the fascinating—and often hilarious—realities of traveling the globe to discover the next great shrub, rose, or hydrangea.From navigating USDA quarantine regulations to sneaking into hotel kitchens to learn how to cook Chinese food, Judson reveals what it really takes to be a plant hunter in the 21st century. Along the way, he offers invaluable advice for young horticulturists: get uncomfortable, build your network through IPPS, and never underestimate the power of showing up.Whether you’re a commercial grower curious about where new genetics come from, a student dreaming of a career in plant exploration, or simply someone who loves a good plant story, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of horticulture’s most unique careers.Listen Time: ~51 minutesIn This EpisodeFeatured GuestDr. Judson LeCompte - Product Development Manager (Plant Hunter) at Spring Meadow Nursery, the woody plant provider for Proven Winners Color Choice. PhD in Horticulture from Mississippi State University. Originally from Alabama, now based in West Michigan.Main TopicsJudson’s Journey to Plant Hunting (Introduction to horticulture through his grandmother, a daylily collector and hybridizerVolunteering at a nursery at age 14, paid in plantsEducation at Auburn University (BS, MS) and Mississippi State (PhD in tea production)Landing the “dream job” through an IPPS connection and a chance breakfast conversationWhat Does a Plant Hunter Actually Do? (Building a global network of partners and breedersPreparing for international trips—from finding contacts to booking flights on a phoneThe three levels of USDA/APHIS import regulations:Basic import with phytosanitary certificatePost-entry quarantine (2 years for hydrangeas, roses)Controlled import permits (specialized quarantine facilities)Plants typically take 5-10 years of evaluation before introductionChoosing Where to Explore (Following priority lists: what’s selling, what needs improvementResearching breeders through papers, social media, and native rangesWhy some countries are easier to work with than others“I’m not climbing mountains with leeches—I’m looking for breeders who’ve done that hard work”Traits That Make a Great Plant (Consumer appeal and performanceCompact size (smaller gardens, smaller truck footprint)Environmental friendliness: drought tolerance, disease resistance, insect resistanceFoliage color for year-round interestEdibles that actually taste good“Best in class” for every plant in the catalogWorking with 75+ External Breeders (Range from backyard hobbyists to university breeders like Tom RanneyCommon pitfall: breeding for one trait while forgetting the restChinese breeders focused on plant patents for promotion—not salesThe joy of finding overlooked gems in a breeder’s collectionDelicate communication: “This is that breeder’s life work”Bridging Academia and Industry (Helping young faculty understand promotion requirementsWhy academics should work at garden centersEnd caps reveal what excites consumersThe breeder fee and marketing fee model at Proven WinnersHow marketing dollars flow back to drive demandCulture Shock and Culinary Adventures (China’s biggest culture shock—but it’s changed dramatically in 15 yearsDrawing the line at horse sushiRecreating favorite dishes at home after every tripSneaking into hotel kitchens to watch chefs cook“If it’s good enough for the local people, it’s good enough for me”The Rose Revolution (Traditional rose breeding funneled through European rose housesBreaking the mold with Pheno Geno Roses (Netherlands/Serbia partnership)Four PhD women in Serbia doing “amazing work”The Flavor Line: edible roses that actually taste goodManaging the Veterans Memorial Rose Garden at Mississippi StateRose rosette disease: not as disastrous as first thoughtTrialing philosophy: “death and destruction” to find the strong onesDoes a PhD Help? (“I never went to college with the goal of getting a PhD”Graduating during the recession—grower jobs paid less than Home DepotWhat academia teaches: perseverance, navigating gray areas, building bridgesYou don’t need a PhD for this job—just plant knowledge, people skills, and willingness to travelAdvice for Young Horticulturists (Join IPPS—every job and assistantship traces back to those connectionsNever take an introduction for grantedBuild your network: phone numbers, Facebook, LinkedInFind a mentor doing what you want to do“You really only got one chance to burn a bridge”Key Quotes“I’m a six-year-old everywhere I go. I have a lot of fun visiting my breeders and my friends.” — Dr. Judson LeCompte“I think being uncomfortable for certainly a young horticulturist is a great thing.” — Dr. Judson LeCompte“We definitely believe in the IPPS motto of seeking and sharing. And we think that by sharing with our partners, we raise all the tides.” — Dr. Judson LeCompte“There’s no perfect plant. Everything in the catalog needs to be replaced. There has to be an improvement.” — Dr. Judson LeCompte“So I’m really just a talent scout. My job is to make breeders successful. And if they’re successful, then they keep bringing us plants.” — Dr. Judson LeCompte“You really only got one chance to burn a bridge. And it could screw up your entire career.” — Dr. Judson LeCompteEducational HighlightsUSDA/APHIS Import Regulations (Three Levels)Level 1: Standard ImportRequires phytosanitary certificate from country of originImport permit from USDARelatively straightforward processLevel 2: Post-Entry QuarantineRequired for medium-risk plants (hydrangeas, roses)Plants held at approved nursery or university siteTypically 2-year quarantine periodMultiple inspections per yearLevel 3: Controlled Import PermitMost stringent requirementsSpecialized quarantine facility requiredThreat screening, monthly inspectionsAll runoff water must be collected and treatedUSDA provides program if nursery lacks facilitiesWhat Spring Meadow Looks For in New PlantsConsumer appeal - Must look good at point of saleConsumer performance - Must perform in the landscapeCompact habit - Industry trending toward smaller plantsEnvironmental traits - Drought tolerance, disease/insect resistanceFoliage interest - Color that changes throughout the yearSeasonality - Looking good when people are shopping (spring/summer)Best in class - Must be the best version of that plant typeThe Breeder Fee ModelWhen Proven Winners sells a plant, they collect:Breeder fee - Goes directly to the plant’s breederMarketing fee - Builds a budget to remarket that plantThis creates a virtuous cycle: successful plants generate marketing dollars that drive more sales, which benefits growers who don’t need their own marketing departments.Resources & LinksConnect with Judson:Email: [email protected]Spring Meadow Nursery: springmeadownursery.comOrganizations Mentioned:IPPS (International Plant Propagators’ Society) - Southern RegionASHS (American Society for Horticultural Science)Raulston Arboretum - Host of the Southeastern Plant SymposiumBreeders & Companies Referenced:Spring Meadow Nursery / Proven Winners Color ChoicePheno Geno Roses (Netherlands/Serbia)J. Berry Nursery (Texas)Tom Ranney - NC State UniversityChris Warner - UK rose breederMr. Suzuki - Japanese loropetalum breederConard-Pyle / Star RosesMonroviaRegulatory Resources:USDA APHIS Plants for Planting Manual (online)Visit the Show:Website: bandbpod.comShow notes and additional resources at bandbpod.comPlant Spotlight: Loropetalum 🌸Judson shared the story of pursuing loropetalum breeder Mr. Suzuki in Japan for years—even “stalking” his house on Google Maps! The persistence paid off when he finally joined Proven Winners and could sit down for tea with his “rock star” breeder.Loropetalum chinense, commonly called Chinese fringe flower, is prized for:Striking purple/burgundy foliageDelicate, ribbon-like flowersCompact cultivars for smaller gardensYear-round color interestAbout Blooms and BeyondBlooms and Beyond is a podcast that covers plant history, culture, and management through the lens of science. Whether you’re a commercial grower looking for management solutions, a student exploring horticulture careers, or someone who just loves plants and their stories, you’ll find something here for you. Hosted by Dr. Ping Yu from the University of Georgia, each episode features interviews with experts who bring enchanting stories, pioneering research, and practical wisdom from the world of horticulture.Your Takeaway: When you walk away from each episode, commercial professionals should have at least one piece of advice to help with production, and plant enthusiasts should have one cool fact to share about plants. Because that’s how we spread plant power to a larger audience and make the environment a little bit better.CreditsHost: Dr. Ping YuFeatured Guest: Dr. Judson LeCompte, Spring Meadow Nursery / Proven Winners Color ChoiceProducer: Rich Braman, UGA Center for Urban AgricultureEpisode Release Date: January 4th, 2026Episode Length: “Till next time, stay healthy and go plants!” 🌱Connect & SupportLove what you’re hearing?Subscribe on your favorite podcast platformLeave a review to help others find the showShare with fellow plant loversVisit bandbpod.com for more resourcesConversations like this only happen when you support the show. For more information and ways to support us, please visit bandbpod.com.🌿 Every plant has a story—and someone had to go find it. 🌿