Erick Ciraud of D.H.M.I. and Jim Berry of J. Berry.
Black Solitaire
This new Lagerstroemeria, called the Black Solitaire® comes from the breeders D.H.M.I. and J.Berry. According to Erick Ciraud, Marketing and Business Development Manager at D.H.M.I. / Lannes Group, the black colored leaves make an outstanding contrasts to the color of the flowers that comes in red, purple, pink and white depending on the variety. "However, even without the flowers, as it has exceptional foliage, the plant can be used to decorate gardens and planters," says Erick Ciraud. Besides the general looks of Black Solitaire®, other features have been improved, compared to other Lagerstroemia varieties. "Black Solitaire® varieties are more resistant to mildew and leaf spot. They thrive in a wide variety of climates and are frost resistant up to -18°C," says Erick Ciraud.
Popularity
In the US, where it was introduced by J. Berry in 2012, this product range is already very popular. According to Erick Ciraud, this is because of the uniqueness of the foliage; it is almost pure black. Besides that, the popularity of the existing Crepe Myrtle also contributed to the popularity of this variety. In 2015, at the FlowerTrials in June, D.H.M.I. introduced the Black Solitaire® series to the European market. "We want to make the variety as popular in Europe as it is in the US," says Erick Ciraud. In order to achieve this, D.H.M.I. will use a Pan-European marketing strategy, which will, according to Erick Ciraud, make the Black Solitaire® varieties recognizable anywhere in the EU. "This all will be achieved with our strong partners who have expertise in growing Crepe Myrtle in major countries such as France, Italy, Spain and Germany," says Ciraud.
D.H.M.I. breeding company by Lannes
D.H.M. Innovation is the research and development center of Lannes Group. D.H.M.I. develops various breeding programs of which Mandevilla/Dipladenia and tropical Hibiscus are the most important. D.H.M.I. is also involved in selecting unknown new varieties and genus for commercial introduction in Europe and other continents.
For more information
D.H.M.I. breeding company by Lannes
Erick Ciraud
Email: [email protected]
www.lannes.pro
