What is nicer than receiving an award for the plant you selected and distribute. At the Plantarium, the Cercis Carolina Sweetheart (NCCC1), a variety of Selection New Plant, a company of Meilland, was awarded with a Bronze Medal in its category as well the Press Award Plantarium 2019. But what is the story behind this plant?
Father and son John and Johan Stolwijk of Joh. Stolwijk & Zn., a Dutch wholesale nursery who submitted the variety, presenting the plant and the award at Plantarium 2019.
Hunting, selecting and promoting
Selection New Plant (SNP) is a company of French rose breeder Meilland. For over 20 years, the business has been seeking innovative varieties of ornamental plants from breeders from around the world. When a variety has been hunted, they start observations and varietal evaluations for 4 to 5 years with specialized stations at different climatology and agronomy. "Only the outstanding and innovative varieties are retained", says Bruno Etavard of Meilland. Afterwards, the products are being promoted at several shows, including Plantarium.
Distribution
The Cercis is bred by Dr Tom Ranney of the North Carolina State University and distributed by Star Rose and Plants. In Europe, Cercis the variety (European Plant Breeder’s Rights application 2018/0873) is distributed by Selection New Plant (SNP) and plants are propagated and sold to European nurseries by Hochberg Nurseries in Israel.
Characteristics
"The parents are the well-known Forest Pansy x Silver Cloud giving rise to one of the most spectacular of small trees. In the early spring pink flowers open along the stems, followed by the heart-shaped new foliage emerging a rich red colour which quickly changes to shades of red, pink, white and green. This magnificent small tree will grow to 3-5 meters in height or can be maintained as a small tree or bush by pruning. Hardy to -15C, this plant is suitable for planting in most of Western Europe, but in hot climates, it is recommended to plant it in shade."
For more information
Selection New Plant
Bruno Etavard
Email: bruno@meilland.com
www.meilland.com