'Polestar' Gold Medal Presented at GrootGroenPlus!

Hydrangea paniculata Polestar ('Breg14') PBR is the plant that was rescued from the compost heap and now has a further Gold Medal, 8 years later! Hydrangea paniculata Polestar, besides being beautiful and very frost-resistant, has an interesting life story.

Seedling Amongst Cuttings

It all started in 2006 when Arjen Bregman finds a seedling among the cuttings of the Dharuma hydrangea. Intrigued, he set it, along with the other 14 brothers and sisters, for further observation and gives it the code 'Breg14'.

Ronald Laman is pictured above at Garden Trials & Trade in 2018, where Polestar won a Gold Medal in the New Products category

During the 2010 meeting, Arjen and Ronald Laman (Breederplants) discussed many things, including the seedling 'Breg14'. This is how Ronald recalls the meeting: 'Arjen hinted that he has an interesting seedling with great potential in his nursery.'

'Unfortunately, he decided to close the nursery, so he was unable to continue his observations. We agreed that I would dig up these plants and transfer them to another nursery. In that way, 'Breg14', in a 50-liter container, went to Boskoop.'

Flowers on Every Shoot

In 2013, the plants are brought to Poland, to the nursery of Wojciech Wróblewski, one of Breederplants' close associates. “During that time, I often visited Wojtek and we looked after our "pupils" together. Two years later, in 2015, I got a message from Wojciech: 'We have a winner, it's number 14! It blooms beautifully, is very compact, and has flowers on every shoot.' That was great news, Ronald recalls.

Propagation Begins

Breederplants obtain permission from Arjen Bregman, who found the seedling, to propagate the plants. For this purpose, they are sent to Van Son & Koot in Kaatsheuvel (The Netherlands) and to Seiont Nurseries in Wales (Great Britain). In 2017, Van Son & Koot Nursery plants around 4,500 plants in C3 pots and achieves great results.

Shipments Around the Globe

Ronald continues: 'Encouraged by what we saw in nurseries in Poland, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, we decided to continue our tests. Thanks to our cooperation with Concept Plants, we shipped the plants to North America and Plantnetworks arranged the shipment to Japan.'

'Our friend, Jaroslaw Chabin, undertook the tests in Hungary. We have gained the ability to quickly carry out the test in completely different climatic conditions.'

It quickly turns out that the Polestar is behaving as expected everywhere. It has a nice, compact habit, flowers appear early and are present on all shoots. The flowers, initially pure white, turn aquamarine over time, and from mid-June, they acquire a delicate, salmon color.

GrootGroenPlus Stages KVBC Gold Award

Back in 2018, the KVBC jury wrote: 'Polestar is a cross of Dharuma. It is well-bred and presented. It has several distinguishing features: an interesting, light green color, a unique, compact shape, very early flowering, and the shape and color of flowers.'

Last week, the Gold Award was made once again at the KVBC awards, held during GrootGroenPlus in Zundert. This follows the Gold Award in 2018, coupled with best novelty over the whole of 2018. This was awarded following a 2 further years of field trials. Arjen Bregman is pictured below receiving the award on day one of the trade fair.

*Reproduction without the breeder's consent is prohibited. Legally protected variety EU52722.

Breeder and origin: Hydrangea paniculata Breg14 (POLESTAR) PBR is bred in the Netherlands by A. J. Bregman.

www.breederplants.nl

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'Free to Access' News!

Welcome to the exciting news platform for the Professional Plant sector. We are now into our 9th year and very much regarded as THE trade website for all the latest news from Growers, Nurseries, Breeders and trade events around the globe (plus product manufacturers). We are publishing a record number of exclusive news reports and interviews.  

Flormart 2021 will be held in Padova, Italy (Nov 24-26).  www.flormart.it

Our news is FREE to access!  We invite the industry to submit their plant news to us on a regular basis.

Email: [email protected]

Non-Stop Flowering Selections 

Helleborus BV brings you a selection of new varieties to create colour in winter! 

The new generation of flowering Orientalis in differing colours is increasing every year.

www.helleborusnursery.com

It's Raining Stars!

At GrootGroenPlus, breeders and growers from all over the world were finally allowed to personally bring their latest introductions into the spotlight.

Plantipp B.V. enjoyed a very successful event, with seven of their introductions being recognized for their strength and distinctive character.  A very popular introduction is the Cornus Miracle (above). www.plantipp.eu

​Flormart All Set for 71st Edition!

The 71st edition of Flormart, the International Exhibition of Horticulture Green and Landscape, will take place in Padua from November 24-26th, next month!

www.flormart.it

Urbalive Comes Alive at Glee!

Plastia CZ enjoyed a successful Glee where the official launch of the new Bokashi* Composter took place. This is an Interior container (composter) from the Plastia stable of home and garden products.

www.plastia.eu

Laurica Welcome the Return of Glee!

The return of Glee was welcomed by one of their longest serving exhibitors. Europe's leading grower of Laurels & Bay Trees were delighted with the event and the chance to see clients in person!

They also enjoyed a positive show at GrootGroenPlus in Zundert. www.laurica.be

Wide Choice of Photinia!

The autumn buying season is now in full swing and nowhere is busier than Tuscany Growers, in Pistoia. The range of available Photinias includes photinia fr red robin, photinia carré rouge (also known as compacta) pink marble and little red robin.

These are grown at the Vivai Biagini nursery and Vivai Masetti Sabino nursery, which together forms the brand, Tuscany Growers.

https://www.planteria.eu/news/2307/tuscany-growers-offer-wide-choice-of-photinia

An 'Indian Summer'...in Brussels!

DO-FLOWERS enjoys a partnership with the 5 Star AMIGO Rocco Forte Hôtel in Brussels. Their contract is to decorate and maintain the floral aspect of the hotel throughout its many sections.

Both Do Flower and the Amigo Hotel invited customers and corporates to their 'Indian Summer' event, this month (Sept 16). This was an opportunity to network with all invited persons and enjoy very nice dishes where flowers were included.

Read the full story here: www.planteria.eu/floristry 

Yorkshire Flowerpots Excel at Glee!

Glee 2021 saw Yorkshire Flowerpots enjoying a terrific show as the industry responded to the return of this premier event.  

www.yorkshireflowerpots.co.uk

Oasis® TerraBrick™ Floral Media 

Smithers-Oasis, a worldwide leader in the floriculture and floral design industry, is launching a new floral design media.

The OASIS® TerraBrick™ Floral Media is made with plant-based, renewable, natural coir and a compostable binder,

https://terrabrick.oasisfloral.com/

New Projects Set to 'Green' Paphos

More green areas are set for the City of Paphos in Cyprus as two linear parks and a €3.7 million park of colours are announced.

According to the Municipal Council of Paphos, the new 32,000 sq.m park of colours will be completed over a nine month period.

https://www.planteria.eu/news/2274/new-projects-set-to-green-paphos

Triple Heavyweights Select June 2022

So Glee will move to June 28-30 for its 2022 event, just a week after Spoga + gafa closes its doors on their event. 

With the HTA National Plant Show scheduled for June 21-22, this promises to be a mega 12 days for the industry. (Add in the Flower Trials earlier in June, there is so much to look forward to!)  

https://www.planteria.eu/news/2243/glee-unveils-move-to-summer-in-2022

AIPH Launch ‘Living Green’ Awards

In response to the growing importance of greening our world’s cities, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) has launched the first city based ‘Living Green’ Awards.

The AIPH World Green City Awards celebrate the inclusion of plant life and nature into city design, planning and function and applaud the leaders of this growing movement.

aiph.org/green-city/green-city-awards