It took years of intensive breeding work, but now it's here: Saphira Elara, the new Campanula carpatica from Schoneveld Breeding. Breeder Stijn Megens and Area manager Dinja Lankhorst look back on a turbulent development journey. "At one point, we were ready to pull the plug on the project."
Saphira Elara was developed in response to a clear market request. "Growers were looking for a carpatica that flowers faster," explains Dinja. "They wanted a full, round plant with plenty of branching and buds. We had that, but the flowering speed wasn't optimal." The result of developing Saphira Elara is a plant that meets all the growers' requirements, faster flowering, uniform blooms and strong structure.
A challenging breeding process
Stijn began work on the carpatica years ago. "The breeding goal was clear: develop a carpatica that flowers two weeks earlier than our current varieties," he recalls. "And the dark blue colour could be slightly deeper." Concrete goals, but a tough challenge. "It wasn't easy," Stijn admits. "Finding the right combinations proved quite difficult."
"We were even close to stopping the project. That can happen in breeding work," he adds. But Stijn saw potential in two hybrids that did flower faster. With so much time and investment already in the project, he requested just a little more time. "I got it. And here it is, Saphira Elara."
A versatile seasonal champion
Saphira Elara is remarkable for its versatility. "We wanted a variety that could be grown early or late in the season," Dinja explains. "Elara is perfect for that. Growers can manage an entire season with just one series. One carpatica variety covers the full seasonal sales window."
Is that really unique? "Yes," says Stijn. "Campanula is a long-day plant, it only flowers when the day length is sufficient. Some varieties flower so quickly that they bloom at the slightest increase in day length, leaving the plant undersized later in the season. Our Elara fills the pot completely, whether grown early or late. The plant builds enough body before it flowers."
© Schoneveld Breeding
Elara as an outdoor eyecatcher
Saphira Elara offers multiple advantages: faster flowering, uniform blooms, strong branching and a round plant structure. Beyond its intense dark blue flower colour, there's another bonus."The currently available Deep Blue and White colours flower at the same time," Stijn explains. "That makes them ideal to combine for a true eyecatcher display."
For consumers, Saphira Elara is appealing as both a pot plant and a perennial. It is winter-hardy and returns year after year, making it perfect for pots at the front door or on the patio. Stijn and Dinja emphasise its distinctive flowering pattern:"It starts with an abundant bloom, then continues steadily," says Stijn. "Longevity is excellent. From grower to consumer, the quality remains consistent throughout."
Saphira as a series
Schoneveld Breeding sees many opportunities to expand market share. Growers can initially trial the product on a small scale in their own nurseries as usual. Dinja acknowledges that the market is relatively small but sees this as a positive:"We're increasing recognition of our carpatica and positioning Elara as part of the broader Saphira series." Over the coming years, Schoneveld Breeding's Campanula assortment will continue to grow.
"We now have both seed and cutting varieties in Campanula. With Saphira Elara, we're setting a new standard for carpatica."
Schoneveld Breeding
Sluinerweg 15
7384 SC Wilp
Tel: +31 (0)571 27 17 17
[email protected]
www.schoneveld-breeding.com
