WSDA Blog

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show (NWFGS) in Seattle is one of the largest flower and garden shows on the West Coast, drawing in plant lovers from all corners of the state – and even Canada.

With countless plants to tempt show attendees, it is the rare soul who leaves the convention center empty-handed. For most attendees, the only limits to them taking countless plants home and supporting the Washington-grown nursery industry are the size of their vehicle or the available amount on their credit card.

But for our northern neighbors, another obstacle stands in their way: the border. Transporting any kind of plant across the border from Washington into Canada is illegal. Except if your plants have a passport of their own – properly known as a phytosanitary certificate.

Phytosanitary certificates are the “plant passports” needed to cross international borders with plants. These certificates confirm that the plants being transported are pest- and disease-free and that the transport of the plants is not otherwise illegal (such as transporting an endangered plant).

Ordinarily, getting such a certificate would be difficult for an individual, and businesses that export plants are the ones normally seeking the certificates. But when it comes to the NWFGS, hundreds of individual shoppers from Canada find themselves in need of a plant passport to take their new favorite plants home. Enter the plant show heroes– inspectors from WSDA’s Plant Services Program.

For decades, WSDA has attended the NWFGS in an unassuming booth to issue phytosanitary certificates. It starts by working with vendors to see which ones want to participate in the voluntary program. Not all vendors participate, and Canadian attendees are told to confirm with a plant seller that their plants can be transported to Canada and, if so, which ones. Once they are done shopping, it is off to see WSDA’s plant inspectors.

At WSDA’s booth, Canadian shoppers fill out a form listing the plants they purchased and the plant seller. The form and plants are left at the booth. The inspectors have an efficient process. They review the documentation and examine the plants. If everything is in order, they generate and print an official certificate on the spot. Anywhere from 15 – 45 minutes later, the customer can return to pick up their plants and certificate, ready to take their new plants home.

The system is a win-win-win: plant enthusiasts get to take home new plants; plant sellers can sell more plants; and WSDA helps ensure that pests, diseases, and invasive or even threatened species are not spread through illegal plant sales or movement.

Everyone - even Washington’s economy - benefits.