“The Plant Hunter: Inside the World of International Plant Exploration with Judson LeCompte”
Ever 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 minutes
Judson’s Journey to Plant Hunting (02:43 - 05:17)
What Does a Plant Hunter Actually Do? (06:42 - 11:48)
Choosing Where to Explore (13:09 - 16:22)
Traits That Make a Great Plant (16:22 - 19:09)
Working with 75+ External Breeders (19:09 - 22:44)
Bridging Academia and Industry (22:44 - 28:20)
Culture Shock and Culinary Adventures (28:20 - 34:09)
The Rose Revolution (39:28 - 45:18)
Does a PhD Help? (45:18 - 47:53)
Advice for Young Horticulturists (47:53 - 49:29)
“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 LeCompte
Level 1: Standard Import
Level 2: Post-Entry Quarantine
Level 3: Controlled Import Permit
When Proven Winners sells a plant, they collect:
This creates a virtuous cycle: successful plants generate marketing dollars that drive more sales, which benefits growers who don’t need their own marketing departments.
Connect with Judson:
Organizations Mentioned:
Breeders & Companies Referenced:
Regulatory Resources:
Visit the Show:
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:
Blooms 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.
Host: Dr. Ping Yu Featured Guest: Dr. Judson LeCompte, Spring Meadow Nursery / Proven Winners Color Choice Producer: Rich Braman, UGA Center for Urban Agriculture
Episode Release Date: January 4th, 2026 Episode Length: 51:30
“Till next time, stay healthy and go plants!” 🌱
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🌿 Every plant has a story—and someone had to go find it. 🌿
