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Getting seed from abroad

cotty1000cotty1000 Posts: 293
in Plants
Hope someone can shed some light on where to look or how to source seed from another country?
Basically I am wanting to expand my collection of rudbeckia, they are my favourite plant, and I am struggling to find particular varieties of seed. There isn't a national collection in this country and I have tried a search for some seed but failed. Rudbeckia Californica is what I am after or any that aren't commonly sold in this country.
Would I have to pay a huge duty on a seed packet from the U.S?
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance

Posts

  • Richard HodsonRichard Hodson Posts: 790
    https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H1.Xrudbeckia+seed.TRS0&_nkw=rudbeckia+seed&_sacat=0
  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    have you tried Thompson and Morgan, they had a good selection last year. Wonderful plant.
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,951
    I recently sent email to USA asking how much to send a certain seeds, they wanted £23.00!  When you find them on the net, write first and ask. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • granmagranma Posts: 1,929
    make sure the countries seed merchant is allowed to send you seed.
    A friend in Australia was going to send me some seed .when she enquired the cost of posting she was told she was not allowed to send any out and she was not allowed any which I would send her in return .they would be confiscated at the mail office.
  • Hampshire_HogHampshire_Hog Posts: 1,089
    As we all know there are very strict rules / regulations regarding seed's and plants and quite rightly so.

    You will need to be absolutely sure you can import the seed from wherever you get it.

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-plants-fruit-vegetables-or-plant-material-to-the-uk

    Would be a shame to pay out only to have it confiscated and destroyed or even prosecuted for importing it.

    "You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,152
    It is unwise in the extreme to get seeds form abroad unless the supplier has the necessary accreditation for hygiene.  That automatically limits choice and increases costs before you even get to P&P.   Untested seeds and plants that have not been quarantined can import tiny, invisible microbial infections or creatures that will run rampant thru unprotected plants.

    This is how Dutch elm disease devastated the UK countryside, how ash die-back is progressing, how lily beetles have arrived and are spreading north and how a pathogen has arrived in southern Europe from South America and is devastating live trees - amongst other important plants - across southern Europe.  It too is spreading north and is going to have a material impact on local economies as well as the price of olive oil and olives.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,951
    Yet still eBay allow China to sell seeds.  Surely they have some Customs Control? they must get through ok as people on here have reported about the rubbish they’ve received.  
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,152
    All sorts of cr*p get that isn't up to accepted and enforceable EU standards gets thru Lyn - not enough systems or people in place to control it.  Recent reports on fire blankets that don't work and also give off toxic fumes, toys that are made from harmful substances, electrical goods whose wires catch fire and give off toxic fumes..........

    Buy it cheap from an unknown source?  Expect sub standard if not downright dangerous.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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