It is very important that we ALL properly display our trademarks, both registered
Trademarks must always include the TM or R symbol. Ideally, include the ™ or
SKY POINTER™ holly Ilex crenata ‘Farrowone’ ppaf
WINE & ROSES
In most text programs (i.e., Microsoft Word), these symbols are created automatically by enclosing TM or R in parentheses. Alternatively, press and hold the “Alt” key while typing 0174 for
Never misrepresent our trademarks as cultivars or varieties by placing them within single quotation marks; double quotation marks are also incorrect:
‘Sky Pointer’ - NO
“SKY POINTER” - NO
“SKY POINTER™” - NO
SKY POINTER™ - YES
Whenever possible, type the trademark name in upper case or in a different font than you are using for the cultivar, botanical, or common name. Do not, however, use Italics, which denote a botanical name:
SKY POINTER™ ilex - YES
Sky Pointer™ holly - YES
Sky Pointer™ Japanese holly - YES
Sky Pointer™ Ilex - NO
Trademark names are adjectives. They may not be used as nouns or verbs.
Trademarks are adjectives that modify a generic noun. Properly using a trademark name as an adjective is simple -- just follow the trademark (the adjective) with the name of the product (the noun). A good test for proper usage is to check if the sentence would still be meaningful even if the trademark name were to be removed:
Correct: Buy LITTLE LIME™ hydrangea for small gardens.
Incorrect: Buy LITTLE LIME for small gardens.
Correct: Use FINE LINE
Incorrect: Use FINE LINE as a hedge.
As has just been illustrated with nouns, trademarks may not be used as verbs, either. For example:
Correct: Make six copies on the XEROX
Incorrect: XEROX this report.
Do Not Use Marks in the Plural
Because trademarks are not nouns, they may not be made plural to express the concept of more than one plant. For example:
Correct: Buy two LITTLE LIME™ hydrangeas.
Incorrect: Take some LITTLE LIMES to the truck.
Incorrect: Buy two LITTLE LIMES.
Note, however, that trademarked terms that end with "s" such as Keds
Should you ever have any questions about how to properly cite any of our plants, the Spring Meadow Nursery catalog is the best reference. You are also welcome to contact our marketing department for assistance during business hours:
Jane Beggs-Joles jane@springmeadownursery.com 616-223-3369
Shannon Springer shannon@springmeadownursery.com 616-223-3368
Stacey Hirvela stacey@springmeadownursery.com 616-223-3375
We thank you for all you do to generate enthusiasm about our plants and for being a reliable source for both garden centers and home gardeners. Your continued assistance in preserving the integrity and value of our trademarked plant names is a crucial part of everyone’s success!
General botanical name usage guidelines
1. When using a plant’s scientific name, it should appear completely in Italics, with the first letter of the genus name capitalized and the specific epithet in lower case:
Cornus stolonifera • Spiraea japonica • Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
2. If citing a hybrid species, the x indicating the cross should also appear in Italics:
Platanus x acerifolia • Ceanothus x pallidus • x Cupressocyparis leylandii
3. If the specific epithet is unknown, or the plant is of mixed but unknown lineage, the abbreviation “sp.” for species must be used. It should not, however, appear in Italics:
Rosa sp. • Rhododendron sp. • Chamaecyparis sp.
4. When referring to a genus multiple times within a single context, it is permissible to abbreviate subsequent mentions of the genus using only its first letter:
Examples of popular lilacs include common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), late lilac (S. villosa), and Japanese tree lilac (S. reticulata).
5. Cultivars are designated through the use of single quotation marks; each word in a cultivar name should begin with a capital letter. Cultivars should never appear in Italics. If using a cultivar with a botanical name, it should follow it; with a common name, the cultivar should precede it:
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Parzifal’ • Thuja ‘Zebrina Extra Gold’ • ‘Royal Purple’ smokebush
6. Common names are governed only by the rules of English grammar. Capitalization is not necessary except when the common name begins a sentence or contains a proper noun. Do not use quotation marks or different fonts with common names:
winterberry holly • sweet autumn clematis • Virginia creeper • Father David’s maple
7. For a complete discussion of the rules of botanical nomenclature, visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s Naming of Plants page: www.apps.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/plantnaming
