Plant labelling – The first point of contact in knowing about the plant
For those without significant horticultural knowledge, a plant label is an effective way of establishing the name of a plant, information about its attributes and cultural requirements. It is also effective in advertising a plant and achieving a sale for those who have produced and/or promoted it.
Plant labelling also serves to support the claims of those selling a plant and provides a specific linkage to traceability of it should there be a need to address plant performance (e.g., is it a weed?) and/or biosecurity issues associated with a species which may be subject to exotic plant pests.
The National Plant Labelling Guidelines by Greenlife Industry Australia provide clear guidance in relation to the content of labels used on plants and how plant information is conveyed to the market. The document also supports the efforts of regulators to address market access and issues associated with invasive and potentially harmful plants. The aim is to provide a standard of acceptable and recommended guidelines for the greenlife industry to adopt in preparation of labels and marketing material.