Plant Atlantic project

Hi everyone; some of you have noticed that I was mewntioned in the latest Canadian Gardening magazine. In the Atlantic Canada section, Carol has written up about the Plant Atlantic project sttarted by the Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden. I am the project manager. Our project was set up to introduced new (via breeding program) plants for Canada and the US (and I guess the world!), to bring heritage plants back into circulation and to introduced underutilized or relatively unknown ornamentals into the Atlantic Canada nursery industry. Right now we have a partner nursery in Newfoundland and 2 in Nova Scotia. We have about 50 plants in total that we plan on releasing. It will be a slow process but 2008 should have about 25 available at each of our participating nurseries.

Much of my work is an active breeding program...I am hybridizing a mix bag of plants including iris, rhododendrons, columbine, primroses, aruncus, caltha....like I said, a mixed bag! I cannot show any of the hybrids until they have been tested in the US and overseas. We have 8 plants in trial at the moment and 5 more in the pipeline for 2008. Lots of fun!

We have just received our first US plant patent for our new Philadelphus called 'Starbright'. It is being sold in limited numbers in NS and NL but it is being trialled now in the US and overseas. Sheridans also has the plant and hopefully will make it available in the next couple of years. Here's a pic of the flower.

another view of the flower. I cannot take credit for this hybrid. Our director bred this one!

Not only does the purple calyx contrast so nice with the pure white flowers (which are heavenly scented), the new flush of leaves is also purplish!

As a tease, the other plants we have in the pipeline as new releases include a black-red lily, a white Caltha, several Aruncus hybrids, a new Juniperus communis selection, a golden spruce, a hardy terrestrial orchid (!), a prostrate larch and our own Phlox subulata 'Pinkie'. This one has masses of tiny flowers on a very compact plant.

and lastly, we have our own hybrid Potentilla fruticosa called 'Helene'. It is compact, dome-forming with golden twigs and soft lemon-yellow flowers.

Lovely looking Philadelphus , Phlox and Potentilla are you working on the P's would love too have the expertise too do your work!!
what is the height and habit of the Philadelphus, just love these shrubs.

Do any of your partner nurseries do mail order to Ontario Todd? Those new items of yours are beautiful!

--Ginny

These will be great additions to our gardensTodd.

The Philadelphus 'Starbright' is gorgeous.

The Phlox subulata 'Pinkie' and the Potentilla fruticosa 'Helene' will make lovely fillers.

I'll be looking for them at Sheridan.

Only the Philadelphus is at Sheridans...the others are being released locally, at least initially. None of our partners do mail-order :(

Starbright is upright to about 2.5 m...grows taller than wide.

That's a very exciting project to be working on Todd. The Philadelphus is gorgeous.

Excellent project, Todd. I'll be looking out for those varieties in the future!

Sandy

ohhhh i like that Philadelphus.Todd is that like the wild pear we have all over the Island.
It the first thing that came to my mind when i saw this pic,is a very nice looking shrub.
you must be so broud of yourself,and you should be keep up the good work.

Todd
What a wonderfull way to make your "footprint on earth" count!
Keep up the super work and thanks for letting us be in on it.
Ann

Nice job Todd! Is there a way of getting ahold of these for trialing at the botanical gardens here?

I thought Starbright was already growing at UBC Botanical garden...but maybe our director brought all the plant to Newfoundland. Drop me a Dmail and we'll make arrangements to send you some 6" pots that I rooted last summer.

Those hybrids are amazing Todd! I especially can't wait to see the black/red lily and the hardy orchid.
Be sure to keep us updated!

Steven

Estate Perennials in Alberta are currently trialing the lily...it will probably be 3 years before they build up the numbers enough to sell. The lily and orchid are being trialed in the US and Europe at the moment as well. The orchid will be a slow process as it require very specific germination requirements then 5-6 years to reach blooming size. Once on the market, it will be a pricey itiem, but then orchids generally are! The orchid will be hardy to at least zone 5 and probably zone 4 with winter protection. It is a selection of Dactylorhiza.

Todd,what are the starbright going for i wouldn't mine getting one myself its a asum looking shrub.

I have no idea what the retailers are charging...that's up to them. I'd say $15 for a 1 gallon pot.

Beautiful.

I'm going to ask one of my growers/suppliers, if they are one of your partners. (AVF - Doug MacDonald) I know he's in your area often and if they aren't affiliated with you, maybe he should stop in and see you.

Darrell

I feel privledged and honored. I received one of two shipments today. I received two, Philadelphus - 'Starbright' in gallon pots, and three Phlox subulata 'Pinkie' in 3.5" pots. Monday, I should have 3 Potentilla fruticosa - 'Helene' in 3.5" pots. They are beautiful and I'm excited to have them.

Darrell aka DarrellR