why do coneflowers say, "propogation prohibited" on the tag?

Answer 1

Propagation Prohibited: Often abbreviated 'PP' or 'P.P.' Term describing a patented cultivar for which the hybridizer has prohibited propagation. On such plants, the term will normally be found on the label or tag. Even if not expressly stated, however, it is assumed that propagation is prohibited for all patented plants. Also see Plant Patent.

Answer 2

I don't know if ALL coneflowers say this. Other plants will be tagged that way also. When new plants are hybridized (developed) the person or organization can get a patent on that plant for a certain number of years so they can recoup part or all of their research investment - after all, they are probably trying a lot of other "crosses" that don't work. After the time frame is up, it's okay to propagate. Remember that seeds are not always a good way to propagate hybrid plants - the "offspring" may not be true to the parent plant. Better to do some kind of a cutting/rooting.

Answer 3

Propogation is prohibited because that variety has been pattented by someone. The person who has the pattent actually gets paid royalties for every single plant that is sold. It is the same idea as a musician not wanting you to make copies of their cds because they don't get paid anything off your copies.