(ISU) Ten growers or companies sent in a total of 51 novelties from 27 genera for ISU screening. The trial field was maintained by the Koninklijke Vereniging van Boskoopse Culturen (KVBC) in Boskoop and pre-evaluated over the year by team led by Ronald Houtman. The Swedish chairman of the ISU judging committee, Jonas Bengtsson, highly praised the condition of the plants and the preparation of the records.
The internationally composed jury awarded five prizes, the 40 expert participants of the ISU Summer Days 2022 also chose one of the five awarded novelties as the public’s favorite before the official award ceremony.
The current sighting results of the perennial sighting coordinated in Germany were presented by Prof. Dr. Bernd Hertle, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences: the genera Monarda, Phlox and Lythrum, they can be looked up at www.staudensichtung.de. Sites in Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic are also participating in the international exchange. The true-to-type assortments are then returned to horticultural practice. The head of the German perennial screening working group also reported on the species-rich and insect-friendly perennial mixtures as well as mixtures of perennials and woody plants.
The ISU Award 2022 was given to the following novelties:
Agapanthus ‘Heidy’ (Pretty Heidy)
(Foto: KVBC)
Sender: Marco van Noort Breeding B.V. Netherlands
Breeder/Selector: Jan Zwetsloot, Netherlands
Description: Dark blue medium tall form with fresh green leaves that contrast nicely. The dark blue flowers have a light color with light blue stripes on the inside. The flowers look at you. Long blooming season, as there are always new flower stalks. Suitable as a cut flower, but also as a large container plant. Very flowering, repeated flowering, flowers on different levels (height), beautiful dark flower buds, good color.
Flower height: 80 cm, max. height: 90 cm
Flower color: Dark blue
Flowering months: July-September
Habitat: Full sun/half shade
Download: Bild 1 (Picture: KVBC)
Anemone hybrida GARDEN BREEZE `Pink Touch´
(Foto: Jo Bogaerts)
Sender/ breeder or selector: Vitroflora Grupa Producentów
Description: Very showy flowers, there is no variety similar to it. It has semi-double flowers with unique flower color. Richly blooming with many stems on the glossy dark green foliage.
Height: leaves/with flowers: 60/90-100 cm
Growth and habit (upright, compact …): Upright growth
Flower color: petals bicolor, front white, back purple/pink
Single flower: 4 cm diameter, semi-double
Foliage color: Dark green, glossy, compound, lobed foliage
Flowering period: August-September
Year of introduction: 2022-2023
The majority of perennial gardeners who participated in ISU Summer Days voted for the variety GARDEN BREEZE PINK TOUCH, which thus received a jury and a public award.
Heliopsis helianthoides `Fire Twister’
(Foto: Jo Bogaerts)
Sender: CNB, Netherlands, Breeder: Georg Uebelhart
Description: vigorous, well-formed plants that need a little support, profuse flowering.
Leaf height: 70 cm
Flower height: 100 cm
Foliage color: Dark purple
Flower color: Orange/red
Unique Characteristics: Black stems/semi-double flowers
Flowering time: June-October
Habitat: Sun – Partial shade
Suitable Uses: Border
Hardiness zone: 4-9
Submergence: Yes
Deciduous: yes
Dry sale: yes
Available: since 2021
Plant breeder’s right: PPAF- EU PBR 56818
Limonium gmelinii `STE10′ (Dazzle Rocks)
(Foto: Jo Bogaerts)
Sender: Plantipp BV
Breeder or selector: Peter van Steijn
Description: Limonium Dazzle Rocks was selected for its compact growth and large number of flowers per stem. Dazzle Rocks is broad and well branched. Because it is drought and heat resistant, it is perfect for planting with dry plants. It is also great for containers, rock gardens and landscaping. Plant Dazzle Rocks in full sun in an ideally sandy and well-drained soil. This Limonium is not only suitable for warm and dry climates, but also tolerates cold temperatures down to -30 º C. Limonium ‘STE10’ is more compact than conventional varieties. It also has a larger number of flowers. Highly recommended as a pot plant.
Height: leaves/with flowers: about 40 cm
Flower color: blue-purpleSize and shape of single flower: average 3 mm in height and diameter, 7 mm in depth.
Size and shape of complete flowers: average 28.6 cm in height and 16.9 cm in diameter.
Foliage color: Green
Main flowering season: Early summer to autumn
Growth: Upright, compact
Year of introduction: 2020
Property rights: USA plant patent PP28,761 and EU PBR 20210420
Schizachyrium scoparium `Ha Ha Tonka’
(Foto: Jo Bogaerts)
Sender: Future Plants, Netherlands
Breeder or selector: Cassian Schmidt (Hermannshof)
Description: Short prairie grass with alternate leaves in basal shoots. Shoots and leaves densely covered with soft hairs about 3 mm long. Inverted ovate. Main shoots grow from base, no lateral branching. Beautiful bluish foliage, conspicuously more hairy than the species and other varieties, not sucking, very distinctive. Tolerates much heat.
Height: 50 cm, inflorescences up to 100 cm.
Main flowering time: September to end of November
Flower color: brown-purple
Year of introduction: 2018
Property rights: EU PBR EU55959, USPP 32.374, CAN PBR AF
