‘Ruby Falls’ conquers Europe via Israel
Last Year Us based royalty management agency PlantHaven international brought Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’ to Europe.
The purple leaved Cercis debuted in this part of the word on the Dutch trade show of hardy nursery stock Plantarium. Next week ‘Ruby Falls’ is one of the 25 nominees for the Innovert competition on the French trade show Salon du Végétal in Angers (February 19-21).
‘Ruby Falls’ will be shown in Angers by Pépinières Ripaud, a nursery of more than 100 hectares in Cheffois (Vendée – France). According in the website of this company, the family Ripaud travels already for over fifty years over the world in search of new products.
Weeping with purple foliage
For the Innovert compettion ‘Ruby Falls’ is described as a Cercis which combines a weeping growth habit with purple foliage. “Its deciduous leaves and its clear, violet-pink pea shaped flowers are formed during the spring before the appearance of the dark red heart-shaped leaves. In summer these leaves are green, while the new shoots remain a varnished reddish-violet color. Its height is limited to 1.50 m and more if staked. It is suitable for small gardens or in pots on the balconies and terraces. It withstands temperatures up to – 26 °C.
Starting material of Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’ is produce by Hochberg Export Ornamentals Ltd in Israel and then shipped to clients around Europe as bare rooted plants in late February. Hochberg has a five year exclusive license for the European market.
Hugh Povey of UK based Treetime mentions also the French company Des Martis, which in 2012 purchased this material at Hochberg. He expects that plants will be available this spring.
National Collection of Cercis.
Treetime is the representative delegate in Europe for the application of Plant Breeder’s Rights. It is a small company holding the National collection of Cercis for the Royal Horticulture Society Plant Heritage. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening.
Treetime runs a small mail order business and can also offer wholesale to small nurseries. Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’ is bred by Dennis Werner. Povey regards the breeding of Werner as one of the most remarkable breeding projects in trees. “In the coming years it will bring many new cultivars to the market. The ‘Ruby Falls’ and ‘Merlot’ are the first of many which can make the Cercis a ‘must have’ plant for every garden and landscape.” ‘Merlot’ is another dark purple leaved Cercis from the same breeding program.
Link for the article – http://www.newplantsandflowers.com/ruby-falls-conquers-europe-via-israel/
Article writing date – 11.2.2013