Plants – Bringing in to Georgia

Q: I’m moving from New Mexico to Alpharetta in a few weeks and just received a beautiful Goldfinger cinquefoil plant as a gift. Am I allowed to bring it in the state?

A: We are all excited to hear of your (and your plant’s) arrival. Unlike Florida and California, which have stringent plant importation rules, to my knowledge there is no law governing inspection of homeowner plants when moved into the state. Our laws govern plant dealers and growers, who are regulated and inspected for disease and insects. Cinquefoil, Potentilla fruticosa, tolerates cold very well but I’m not so sure it will like our heat. Site it where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade and see what happens.