Exceptional plant varieties for UK growers
ProVaR News
December 2011
ProVaR elects it’s third Chairman
At last week’s AGM ProVaR directors voted in John Hedger as the new chairman, taking over from Charles Carr.
Charles has consolidated ProVaR’s position in the industry including the addition of CNB and Kordes as International Breeder members. During his tenure he has contributed considerable time and knowledge in developing the website, which raises ProVaR’s profile immensely. John will continue to strengthen the organisation’s role in promoting and licensing new plant varieties, with the aim of increasing the portfolio of plants available to ProVaR members from existing and new breeder members.
ProVaR offers a unique range of over 170 plants to its members which can all be licensed under one simple system with two royalty returns a year. John is a director at New Place Nurseries in Sussex.
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December 2011
ProVaR director receives IPPS rosebowl
John Hedger of New Place Nurseries has been awarded the rosebowl at this year’s IPPS conference in Edinburgh by Abi Rayment.
The rosebowl is awarded annually by the current IPPS president, to the person whom they feel has best exemplified the IPPS motto of seeking and sharing, and who has done the most to promote the interests of IPPS and of professionalism in plant propagation and production or ornamental horticulture.
John has always encouraged his staff to attend IPPS events, and has hosted several area meetings at New Place Nurseries over the years.
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October 2011
Display Garden Created at Scottish Agricultural College
In 2009 while at the annual IPPS conference in Ireland a demonstration planting of ProVar plants was seen at Fitzgerald Nurseries, Kilkenny. It was felt that a similar area at Auchincruive gardens would fit well with the re-development of the gardens and show students and the general public some of the new shrub varieties available at garden centres or for use in design projects
Two assignments given to HND2 Horticulture students were to plan the planting and information posters for the collection. Kenneth Hutcheson and Lachlan McNee prepared a planting plan which they decided would be better done as a mixed border rather than just displaying the plants in rows. Rosie Burgon and Annie Whitehead prepared posters to explain what ProVar is, features of some of the plants in the collection and background about some of the breeders and nurseries who have introduced the plants.
The planting was carried out in May 2011 and although we complained about a poor, wet summer in the West of Scotland it was an excellent growing season to get the plants established.
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October 2011
Abelia Hopleys AGM recognised
We are delighted to announce the long awaited award from the RHS of the Award of Garden Merit for this superb variety of Abelia, which is at last finding its true markets around the world.
During the recent Four Oaks Show at Manchester in early September well known plants man Chris Sanders (Chairman of the RHS Woody Trials Panel) presented the Award of Garden Merit for Abelia Hopleys. As the RHS does not normally perform any presentation with the AGM’s this was an exciting occasion in recognition of both the plant and it's origins
Abelia is a Genus which is growing in popularity with many recent introductions and it is good to see that this variety stood up so well in the trials. Plant material is becoming more widely available with good supplied of young plant material available through 2011.
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July 2011
Peter Moore Story
In a recent article published by Commercial Greenhouse Grower the story of how Peter Moore became a successful plant breeder was told.
Please download PDF to view full article.
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July 2011
Graham Hutchins Coprosma Breeding
A very variable tree or shrub, mainly found wild on coastal cliffs or forests of the Pacific Islands including New Zealand.
The species may be prostrate or erect with glossy opposite leaves and a broad interpetiolate stipule with several denticles. Many different forms are in cultivation often with variegated leaves. Female plants with clusters of pea sized orange - red fruits can be very showy. These fruits are fleshy each with 2 seeds, edible and sweet but with little flavour.
Four seedlings were raised at County Park Nursery from C. repens County Pary Purple, 3 male forms and one female. All were improvements on the parents. C. repens Pacific Night (hutpac) was the most glossy with a neat erect habit. Clusters of small funnel shaped flowers with four stamens are not showy. Easy to grow, young or soft grown plants are hardy to about -5 degrees. Established plants to about -7 or 8 degrees.
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February 2011
Peter Moore wins Lifetime Achievement Award
ProVaR breeder member Peter Moore won the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Grower of the Year Awards in London last week. Some 500 professionals from across UK production horticulture attended the event held at London\'s Lancaster Hotel, which was hosted by TV's Paul Ross.
During his speech Peter was clearly delighted to receive the award and thanked ProVaR for all the assistance that they had given him in promoting his breeding work and also announced the establishment of a charitable trust that will collect royalties from his plants and give the monies to charity in the future. Peter humorously described his ageing process "In recent months I’ve chronicled my rapid decline into crumble old age. My failing eye sight, hearing and decaying mouth are signs I won’t see 60 again."
ProVaR currently offers 7 of Peter's plants including the newly released Buddleja 'Pink Pagoda'. More new varieties are due to be added for the 2011-12 season.
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July 2010
Begonia ‘Glowing Embers’ reigns supreme at the HTA National Plant Show
ProVaR are proud to announce that Begonia ‘Glowing Embers’ from Allensmore Nurseries has been crowned the ‘best in show’ at the New Plant Awards at the HTA National Plant Show, the first plants only show to be held on behalf of the industry at Stoneleigh Park. To view the article please follow the link to HTA National Plant Show. The New Plant Awards were sponsored by ProVaR
Chair of judges David Clark adds, “With such fantastic leaf detail and vivid orange flowers Begonia ‘Glowing Embers’ stood out as a great impulse buy plant. This versatile repeat flowering plant can be used in hanging baskets and containers and will no doubt have wide appeal to gardeners.”
ProVar were delighted to have the opportunity to support the National Plant show and found it a stimulating event with a broad range of visitors both from the UK and abroad, it was especially pleasing to be able to welcome current and future ProVaR members onto the stand. We look forwards to seeing you all again next year for an even better show!
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May 2010
Graham Hutchins - a lifetime of Plants
Graham Hutchins from County Park Nursery in Essex has been working with plants all his life, Through his travels and breeding work he has been able to make many new introductions to the UK. ProVaR are lucky enough to list some of these amongst the plants that we represent.
At the age of 80 Graham is still working hard and recent introductions include Coprosma Pacific Night (hutpac) a stunning variety with deep purple glossy, almost mirror like foliage which has been a great addition and has been instrumental in the recent popularity of the genus.
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May 2010
ProVaR Plants at the HTA National Plant Show
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ProVaR have been given the opportunity to put on a display of our protected varieties at the HTA National Plant Show at Stoneleigh in June. This is a fantastic opportunity for growers and Garden Centres to view our range of plants which this year includes 3 new Breeders: Plants for Europe, CNB Greenteam and Kordes Jugpflantzen. We have also provided the award for the Best New Plant in the 'New Plants' competition.
It is exciting to have a plants only show at this time of year which we hope will provide an excellent meeting place for the whole trade with a key focus on plants. We look forwards to welcoming breeders, growers and retailers onto our stand at what promises to be an exciting few days. We strongly believe that it will give us the perfect platform to show of our fantastic varieties to the widest audience of interested 'plantsmen' in the UK.
ProVaR represents 171 protected plants from 17 breeders, one of the widest collections of varieties available for license to UK growers from a single catalogue. This year we will be adding 30 extra varieties to the offer. hope that all our growers will be able to visit the stand to see the wide range we have available.
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December 2009
Plants for Europe join ProVaR
The directors of ProVaR are delighted to welcome Graham Spencer - Plants for Europe as the latest 'Breeder Member' of ProVaR. He brings a range of new plants which will enhance our offering to UK growers.
“Plants For Europe is very pleased to have joined ProVaR. Graham Spencer, company director, said: ‘PFE has joined ProVaR so that selected non-exclusive varieties from the PFE portfolio can be licensed by growers through the ProVaR organisation. It allows us to reach many smaller and medium sized growers effectively and will give greater access to these varieties – which will certainly increase royalty revenue for the breeders.’ From 2010-11, growers will be able to obtain licenses for ten exciting varieties from PFE through ProVaR, including varieties of Cytisus, Lysimachia, Phlox, Phygelius, Prunella and Pulmonaria. These are all first class plants that are deserving of a wider audience.”
It is exciting to see the ProVaR portfolio growing each year and we are pleased to welcome another well known member of the new plant community into the organisation. For more information see the Plants for Europe Web Site
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September 2009
Peter Catt recieves another Plantarium Medal
The Hampshire based plant breeder and ProVaR President has received a Silver Medal for his new Perovskia \'Lacey Blue\' at the Plantarium show in Boskoop. This follows on from his previous successes including last years Bronze and Silver medals for 2 new Caryopteris introductions.
The silver-green, deeply indented foliage of this “Russian Sage” terminates in large spikes of silver-blue buds which deepen as the sky-blue flowers open. The plants grows to approximately 60cm. Pruning after flowering will produce a second flush later in the season.
This striking variety will be available to ProVaR growers in the 2010 offers.
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May 2009
Cotinus Dusky Maiden praised
Cotinus Dusky Maiden has recently received great praise from Graham Rice in his Blog - Graham is a renowned plantsman, RHS Comitee member and floral judge as well as being the author of several books. So it is praise indeed. The full blog can be viewed Graham Rice's new plant blog
Peter Moore is productive breeder based at Longstock Park Nurseries in Hampshire and over the years has produced many stunning garden plants. These can be viewed on his website. Bred by Peter Moore
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March 2009
ProVaR at Contact 2009 - 'Working together for future growth'
ProVaR had a stand at the contact conference again this year as a sponsor with our show stand displayed in the bar area. The theme of the conference this year was working together for future growth, this sums up much of what we are aiming to achieve. This was a stimulating event with many positive messages to take away despite the negative financial environment.
On the Friday morning there was a full session chaired by Neil Alcock of Seiont Nurseries regarding new plants, he was able to outline his personal interest in new varieties and showcased some of the new plants that the ALP group are currently working together on. Pat Fitzgerald spoke about looking at how plants are used and the new spaces that are being created by our culture with the majority of people living in towns now we need to target urban planting schemes and 'think outside the box'
Tim Clapp from Wyevale Garden Centres also talked about new plants and felt that many have lost their way! He suggested that limited numbers of co-ordinated plant introductions would benefit growers and retailers alike with the opportunity to raise a marketing budget that would hit magazines and all the garden centres in a combined effort - Rose Flower Carpet was used as an example of what can be achieved. For more information see Neil Alcocks blog.
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November 2008
New Chairman for ProVaR
At last week’s AGM ProVaR directors voted in Charles Carr as the new chairman, taking over from Patrick Fairweather. Thanks were given to Patrick for all his hard work in establishing ProVaR and his positive contribution.
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October 2008
Caryopteris ‘Sterling Silver’ is awarded a silver medal at Plantarium 08
This new silver leaved, blue flowered Cayopteris is being launched by Liss Forest Nursery. Due to enter the 2009/10 offers brochure of ProVaR, material will be available to ProVaR licensees from next summer.
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October 2008
Caryopteris ‘Hint of Gold’ wins Bronze medal at Plantarium 08
This new cultivar of Caryopteris from Liss Forest Nursery was awarded a bronze medal at Plantarium 2008. With extra large yellow leaves and long spikes of blue flowers, this is a delightful addition to the autumn shrub range. Material available through ProVaR for sales from 2009
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October 2008
ProVaR EXHIBITS AT SOUTH REGIONAL GROWERS SHOW
ProVaR made it’s first visit to the South West Regional Growers Show to publicise it’s plants and showcase new varieties to a South West audience.
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September 2008
ProVaR Breeder & Plants recieve Acclaim
A recent article in the financial times higlighted the work of national collection holder and plant breeder Peter Moore.
Many of Peters plants are available through ProVaR and the article also prised the dwarf varieties available from John Woods Nurseries, these are also available to ProVaR licensees.
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July 2008
ProVaR at Woking Show 2008
ProVaR attended the 2008 Woking Show for the first time on 9th July. Regardless of a wild, wet day, interest was shown in the new plants displayed on the stand. This was an excellent opportunity to show of our range of old favoirites and brand new varieties to a broad cross section of the industry, lanscapers, Garden Centre Buyers and Nurserymen.
Thanks to everyone who visited the stand, we would welcome your feedback and look forward to seeing you at some of the other shows this year.
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June 2008
ProVaR WELCOMES FIRST DUTCH BREEDER
ProVaR is pleased to announce that Plantipp BV have joined as a breeder member, initially making Leucothoe ‘Curly Red’ available to our growers.
Plantipp are a specialist royalty management company representing a wide range of plant breeders from around the world. Their plants regularly win Gold & Silver medals at shows such as the Plantarium in Boskoop.
This now enables ProVaR to offer plants from 13 breeders or agents spanning over 140 varieties of protected plants.
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September 2007
ProVaR proudly announce new Web Site
Protected Varieties Ltd. (ProVaR) are delighted to announce the launch of their new web site. This has been designed to give clear information about our plants, the range available and descriptions to the trade and public. A full growers directory is coupled with listings of who grows each variety to make sourcing the new plants easy for Garden Centres and in time we hope to be able to add a Garden Centre directory to direct the public to their nearest stockist.
The site has been funded by the HDC and developed by subfusion.
For further information please contact Wendy Staniforth on 01483 476251 or E mail sales@protected-varieties.co.uk
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