Comments on: The Great Black Plant Scandal of 2009 (Black Plantergate?)

By: Kenneth Moore

Kenneth Moore — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:03:57 +0000

Fern–turns out, it’s likely that Karen Platt isn’t the Platt of “Platt’s Black” variety name, or at least not the only Platt who is.

I just posted some preliminary findings here.

By: MCD

MCD — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 23:37:51 +0000

I sort of stumbled onto your blog while trying to remember the name of a black tulip I’d seen in an old Breck’s catalog (Queen of the Night). I’d wandered by that other person’s page – for an International Society, there seems to be precious little international presence, don’t you think?

Anyways, I was amused to see an author making a simple there/their error in her posting (‘…and their are some phrases taken…’) *shock*

By the way, I gave my daughter an old-fashioned, plant name as well. She’s the only Hazel in the third grade.

By: Fern

Fern — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:54:56 +0000

Kenneth–I believe there a several varieties of black plants that are named after Karen Platt. She might have even developed a few of them, I can’t remember. Funnily enough, the book that she believes plagiarized her work suggested a variety of New Zealand Flax that is named after her.

By: Kenneth Moore

Kenneth Moore — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:42:53 +0000

Everytime I come across a plant with black foliage or flowers, I can't help but chuckle about this situation. I just don't often remember the lady's name, and it won't do to voice what I think of her in my head. But, while at the garden centre on Friday, I noticed Leptinella squalida with the variety name "Platt's Black" (for example, click here). I barked out a laugh, bringing the attention of a couple who were browsing nearby, so I explained how Platt invented black plants and that no one in the world would ever have paid attention to them without her efforts. I'm going to go figure out who has the patent on this variety and see how they came to name it...!

By: Pego

Pego — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:41:42 +0000

Oh, and recently a dark purple sugar cane was bred in Tennessee. THAT seemed a great addition to any such list.

By: Pego

Pego — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:40:02 +0000

I have to thank “someone” for directing my attention to you. After reading a rather megalomanic rant that kept directing me to buy her missives rather than any “International Black Plant Society” I decided her society was merely a fiction and anyone who found her offensive and relentlessly self-serving was, at least possibly, actually interested in a black plant group. I found one on Yahoogroups that needs new blood. Has anyone actually tried to build one here?

By: kayellr

kayellr — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:11:13 +0000

Uh oh. I designed and planted a seasonal garden composed of primarily black plants (with some white, gray and burgundy) at the botanic garden I worked at back in 1997. I wonder if I or the garden need to consult a lawyer?

By: Les

Les — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:16:51 +0000

What’s all this talk about black plants. I don’t think a gardener’s race has anything to do with how their plants should be appreciated. What? That’s not what you mean.. oh I’m sorry, nevermind.

What a great post, just when I thought I couldn’t bare to look at another colorful fall leaf or a macro shot of frosted rose blossoms – here comes a post that has renewed my interest in garden blogging. Thank you and keep up the good fight!

By: linda

linda — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:26:52 +0000

oh. my. gosh. I read about the drama on Mr.Brown Thumb’s Garden Bloggers blog, and had to read the full story. I feel sorry for her – something’s very wrong when someone acts out as she has.

Kudos for standing up to her.

I think Fern is a beautiful name.

By: Shadow

Shadow — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:33:54 +0000

I will be on the look out for nasty comments now as I to have a love of black plants and have mentioned them in my blog. Never heard of Karen Platt though funny that.