The Plant Hunter: Inside the World of International Plant Exploration with Judson LeCompte
S01:E05

The Plant Hunter: Inside the World of International Plant Exploration with Judson LeCompte

Atlanta, Georgia
•

Episode description

Blooms and Beyond - Season 1, Episode 5

Episode Title:

“The Plant Hunter: Inside the World of International Plant Exploration with Judson LeCompte”

Episode Description

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

In This Episode

Featured Guest

  • Dr. 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 Topics

Judson’s Journey to Plant Hunting (02:43 - 05:17)

  • Introduction to horticulture through his grandmother, a daylily collector and hybridizer
  • Volunteering at a nursery at age 14, paid in plants
  • Education at Auburn University (BS, MS) and Mississippi State (PhD in tea production)
  • Landing the “dream job” through an IPPS connection and a chance breakfast conversation

What Does a Plant Hunter Actually Do? (06:42 - 11:48)

  • Building a global network of partners and breeders
  • Preparing for international trips—from finding contacts to booking flights on a phone
  • The three levels of USDA/APHIS import regulations:
    • Basic import with phytosanitary certificate
    • Post-entry quarantine (2 years for hydrangeas, roses)
    • Controlled import permits (specialized quarantine facilities)
  • Plants typically take 5-10 years of evaluation before introduction

Choosing Where to Explore (13:09 - 16:22)

  • Following priority lists: what’s selling, what needs improvement
  • Researching breeders through papers, social media, and native ranges
  • Why 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 (16:22 - 19:09)

  • Consumer appeal and performance
  • Compact size (smaller gardens, smaller truck footprint)
  • Environmental friendliness: drought tolerance, disease resistance, insect resistance
  • Foliage color for year-round interest
  • Edibles that actually taste good
  • “Best in class” for every plant in the catalog

Working with 75+ External Breeders (19:09 - 22:44)

  • Range from backyard hobbyists to university breeders like Tom Ranney
  • Common pitfall: breeding for one trait while forgetting the rest
  • Chinese breeders focused on plant patents for promotion—not sales
  • The joy of finding overlooked gems in a breeder’s collection
  • Delicate communication: “This is that breeder’s life work”

Bridging Academia and Industry (22:44 - 28:20)

  • Helping young faculty understand promotion requirements
  • Why academics should work at garden centers
  • End caps reveal what excites consumers
  • The breeder fee and marketing fee model at Proven Winners
  • How marketing dollars flow back to drive demand

Culture Shock and Culinary Adventures (28:20 - 34:09)

  • China’s biggest culture shock—but it’s changed dramatically in 15 years
  • Drawing the line at horse sushi
  • Recreating favorite dishes at home after every trip
  • Sneaking 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 (39:28 - 45:18)

  • Traditional rose breeding funneled through European rose houses
  • Breaking 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 good
  • Managing the Veterans Memorial Rose Garden at Mississippi State
  • Rose rosette disease: not as disastrous as first thought
  • Trialing philosophy: “death and destruction” to find the strong ones

Does a PhD Help? (45:18 - 47:53)

  • “I never went to college with the goal of getting a PhD”
  • Graduating during the recession—grower jobs paid less than Home Depot
  • What academia teaches: perseverance, navigating gray areas, building bridges
  • You don’t need a PhD for this job—just plant knowledge, people skills, and willingness to travel

Advice for Young Horticulturists (47:53 - 49:29)

  • Join IPPS—every job and assistantship traces back to those connections
  • Never take an introduction for granted
  • Build your network: phone numbers, Facebook, LinkedIn
  • Find 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 LeCompte

Educational Highlights

USDA/APHIS Import Regulations (Three Levels)

Level 1: Standard Import

  • Requires phytosanitary certificate from country of origin
  • Import permit from USDA
  • Relatively straightforward process

Level 2: Post-Entry Quarantine

  • Required for medium-risk plants (hydrangeas, roses)
  • Plants held at approved nursery or university site
  • Typically 2-year quarantine period
  • Multiple inspections per year

Level 3: Controlled Import Permit

  • Most stringent requirements
  • Specialized quarantine facility required
  • Threat screening, monthly inspections
  • All runoff water must be collected and treated
  • USDA provides program if nursery lacks facilities

What Spring Meadow Looks For in New Plants

  • Consumer appeal - Must look good at point of sale
  • Consumer performance - Must perform in the landscape
  • Compact habit - Industry trending toward smaller plants
  • Environmental traits - Drought tolerance, disease/insect resistance
  • Foliage interest - Color that changes throughout the year
  • Seasonality - Looking good when people are shopping (spring/summer)
  • Best in class - Must be the best version of that plant type

The Breeder Fee Model

When Proven Winners sells a plant, they collect:

  1. Breeder fee - Goes directly to the plant’s breeder
  2. Marketing fee - Builds a budget to remarket that plant

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.

Resources & Links

Connect with Judson:

Organizations Mentioned:

  • IPPS (International Plant Propagators’ Society) - Southern Region
  • ASHS (American Society for Horticultural Science)
  • Raulston Arboretum - Host of the Southeastern Plant Symposium

Breeders & Companies Referenced:

  • Spring Meadow Nursery / Proven Winners Color Choice
  • Pheno Geno Roses (Netherlands/Serbia)
  • J. Berry Nursery (Texas)
  • Tom Ranney - NC State University
  • Chris Warner - UK rose breeder
  • Mr. Suzuki - Japanese loropetalum breeder
  • Conard-Pyle / Star Roses
  • Monrovia

Regulatory Resources:

  • USDA APHIS Plants for Planting Manual (online)

Visit the Show:

  • Website: bandbpod.com
  • Show notes and additional resources at bandbpod.com

Plant 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 foliage
  • Delicate, ribbon-like flowers
  • Compact cultivars for smaller gardens
  • Year-round color interest

About Blooms and Beyond

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.

Credits

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!” 🌱

Connect & Support

Love what you’re hearing?

  • Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform
  • Leave a review to help others find the show
  • Share with fellow plant lovers
  • Visit bandbpod.com for more resources

Conversations 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. 🌿

0:04Welcome & Introducing Dr. Judson LeCompte
1:08Spring Meadow Nursery & Proven Winners
2:43From Grandmother's Garden to Career
4:00Path to Plant Hunting: IPPS Connections
5:17The Ideal Job? Travel & Getting Uncomfortable
6:42Preparing for International Plant Trips
8:20USDA & APHIS Import Regulations Explained
11:48Seeking & Sharing: The IPPS Motto in Action
13:09Where to Hunt: Choosing Exploration Destinations
15:03Wild Genetics vs. Working with Breeders
16:22What Makes a Great Plant? Traits That Matter
19:09Working with 75+ Breeders Worldwide
22:44Bridging Academia and Industry
25:46Balancing Passion with Market Trends
28:20Culture Shock & Culinary Adventures Abroad
31:29Plant Hunting Stories: Rumors & Rock Stars
34:09Future of Breeding: Molecular Tools & Tradition
36:5211 Countries & Counting
39:28Untapped Potential & the Rose Revolution
42:04Rose Rosette & Trialing for Destruction
45:18Does a PhD Help? Academic Skills in Industry
47:53Advice for Young Horticulturists
49:29How to Connect with Spring Meadow
50:52Thanks & Closing