International - plant varieties and innovations - Brief Article

Flower & Garden Magazine, Jan, 2000

France

`First Pick' is a French variety tomato that has been popular for generations in the Baptiste family of Reims, France. The fruits are deep red, globe-shaped and weigh 4-5 oz. each. The plant has the ability to set fruit in cool weather, providing tomatoes sooner than other "early" varieties. Heirloom Seeds

`Mirabelle De Nancy' has yellow skin with orange dots and sweet, juicy flesh. It is round and small but intensely flavored. The "Nancy" cultivar differs from the American Mirabelle in being juicier and a more upright grower. This variety is sold at farmer's markets throughout France and is either eaten fresh or made into brandy. Raintree Nursery

Peru

`Jin's Sweetie' is a sweet pepper that originally comes from Peru. It is easily distinguished from other peppers by its shape and flavor. The fruits are elongated, three-to four-lobed, and have slightly curved bells with medium thin walls. Plants are 36" tall with good foliage cover and are resistant to foliar and fruit diseases. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Celosia sp. `Cramer's Amazon' is a tender perennial that was discovered in Peru by Ralph Cramer. It is very versatile in the landscape and may be used as filler or a specimen plant. It will produce a deep magenta spicata-type bloom in 120-150 days. Johnny's Selected Seeds

United Kingdom

New perennial varieties from Nourse Farms, Inc. include two new raspberry, Rubus idaeus types.

`Autumn Britten,' from a breeding program in the United Kingdom, has a fruit size of 1 inch with a planting time in spring. The maturity is August-frost and is known to have good taste. The berry is dry and easy to handle while being smooth, uniform and very attractive. Nourse Farms, Inc.

Poland

`Polana' from Poland has a fruit size of 1 1/2 inches with a planting time in spring. The maturity is August-frost and has good to excellent taste. The fruit color is a glossy medium-red. It is conic in shape and comes to a slight point at the tip. Nourse Farms, Inc.

Netherlands

`Muscari Valerie Finnis,' a bulb from the Netherlands, is light blue, 6 inches tall and should be planted 5 inches deep and 4 inches apart. It may be used outdoors as a border and has a hardiness Zone between 4-8. John Scheepers

Holland

Zantedeschia Calla lily `Black Forest' was awarded the gold medal by Holland's famed Keukenhof Gardens. Each bulb produces 3-5 extraordinary deep silken purple black blooms. Hardiness Zones 7-11. Van Bourgondien Bros.

Turkey

`Havran Quince,' a large pear-shaped fruit, sometimes reaches more than 2 lb. The fruit is sweet enough to eat fresh, though the texture is a lot like other quinces. It is from Izmir Agricultural Research and Introduction Center and introduced to the U.S. by Dr. Elwood Fisher. Turkey has been producing quinces for more than 2000 years and is one of the leading producers in the world. Raintree Nursery

Japan

`Spooky' is a great tasting, little, white egg-plant that grows cylindrical fruits 7 inches long by 2-3 inches wide. This plant has been a favorite from the Hokkaido Island where it has been grown by local farmers for generations. Heirloom Seeds

Sanguisorba obtusa `Lemon Splash' is a perennial variety which hails from Japan. The flowers resemble tiny corn cobs with a color of cream to burgundy. Used as a border or in a container, its hardiness Zones are 4-9. Dabney Herbs

`Dancing Crane' is a strikingly variegated selection of the edible Asian ginger, Zingiber Mioga. This dwarf ginger makes an upright clump to 2' tall with a central leaf pattern of pure white "lightening bolts." Its hardiness Zones are 7-10 and much colder with mulch. Plant Delights Nursery

Russia

The Heirloom Tomato `Caspian Pink,' which was discovered in Russia, has beautiful pink skin and wonderful flavor. It is a tall growing indeterminate plant which should be staked and tied for best results. Its maturity is 80 days. Seminis Garden, Tomato Growers Supply Co.

Gaillardia `Russian Beauty' is a perennial which was found near a village 60 kilometers south of Moscow. It has maroon red petals with yellow borders. It makes a very pleasing border plant that is widely adaptable to heat and drought. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange