PRESS RELEASE GREEN GRAND PRIX 2024

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN GRAND PRIX 2024

The Green Grand Prix is specifically aimed at assessing (breeding) performance. The jury, consisting of renowned subject matter experts, can award A, B and C certificates on 2 October 2024. The A rating is the highest attainable rating.
 
Cornus alba ‘Verpaalen3’(NIGHTFALL®)




The new Cornus alba NIGHTFALL lives up to its name. Its elongated leaves are dark green to black. The leaves, especially on the underside, have a grey, felt-like haze which contrasts nicely with the dark plant. In spring, white small flowers come in screen. Nightfall is a strong plant with a more straight upright growth than other plants in the range. It can be used as a background plant in a border or as a partition or hedge. The plant is hardy and requires little maintenance. It thrives in both sun and semi-shade and can adapt to different soil types. Derived from Cornus alba Miracle and extracted and marketed by Harrie Verpaalen from Zundert (NL), NIGHTFALL is protected by plant breeders' rights.
 
Skimmia japonica ‘Snep24’ (CLEOPATRA)



Skimmia japonica ‘Snep24’ (CLEOPATRA) is a new compact berry-bearing skimmia. The bright red colour of the berries, which appear on the plant in autumn, contrast beautifully with the narrow dark green leaves. The plant is unique as it can be grown from unrooted cutting (July) to plant with berries in 2 time years. It is a japonica that therefore also gives berries on smaller pot sizes, easier than current varieties. With a male pollinator, the plant gives berries easily. CLEOPATRA was won by Snepvangers Tuinplanten BV from Molenschot and marketed by Van Vliet New Plants from Stroe since 1 August 2024. Plant breeders' rights protection has been applied for.
 
Buxus ‘HER2008114’ (GIANT®)



The compact growing Buxus Giant has leathery, glossy leaves and inconspicuous yellow flowers. Attractive to bees. GIANT is strong, resistant and recovers quickly, . easy to prune and perfect for wide hedges. Not fussy about soil type.  More resistant to the Boxwood moth. Hardy to -20 ºC. Grown by Herplant BV from Beerse (B) and from 1 January 2024 and marketed by Herplant BV and Plantipp. Plant breeders' rights protected.
 
Taxus baccata HER2016T02 (Tiny T®)





This beautiful, compact Taxus has very fine dark green needles , ideal for low hedges and so-called grave planting. Its fine, dark green needles give it an elegant appearance. Tiny T is easy to propagate and leaves hardly any waste after pruning.Tiny T thrives in both shade and full sun and does well as a hedge plant but also as a solitary in pots or in mixed containers. Tiny T is very drought-resistant and will grow in any type of soil, as long as you don't get its feet too wet. Currently not widely marketed yet but building up is underway. Won by: Herplant BV Beerse (B). Marketed from 1 January 2024 by Herplant BV and Plantipp. Plant breeders' rights protected
 
 
Betterbuxus ‘HER2009B05’(BETTERBUXUS BAROQUE®)



This new resistant Buxus has very dark, oval leaves. Small yellow flowers appear on the plant in March. It is a bee attractant. Betterbuxus Baroque is the 5 th scion within the Betterbuxus range and with its very dark leaves it makes a nice addition to the assortment. Won by: Herplant BV of Beerse (B) and on sale from: 31 December 2024 by Herplant BV Plant breeder's rights.
 
Thuja occidentalis ‘Going Down’



This Thuja occidentalis ‘Going Down’ stands out from all other Thuja cultivars. The ‘Going Down’ is blue/green in colour and has a flat growth habit, growing no taller than 30 cm with a max width of 70 cm. This makes the Thuja good to use as a ground cover. In a pot or container, the branches hang over the edge at a later age. The Thuja turns red/purple in winter and is well hardy. Won by Gee Farms Nursery & Greenhouse from Stockbridge,Michigan USA .From 1 July 2021 onwards marketed by Nursery Schrauwen-Moerings. Presented at GrootGroenPlus 2024 by Tree Nursery H. van Laerhoven of Schijf (NL).
 
Hibiscus syriacus ‘Gandini van Aart Ruby’(FLOWER TOWER RUBY®)




Hibiscus Flower Tower Ruby has a narrow, upright, columnar growth habit, making it very suitable for the smaller garden. But with its beautiful dark pink-red, semi-double flowers with red heart, Flower Tower Ruby is an asset in any garden, on balcony or terrace or as a hedge. Flower Tower Ruby blooms continuously from late July to early October and attracts bees and butterflies. After 10 years, this shrub grows to about 3 m high and 80 cm wide. Pruning is not necessary but can be done in spring if desired. From1 January 2023 marketed by Nursery Chris Uijtdewilligen of Wernhout (NL). Plant breeders' rights protected.
 
Lavandula intermedia ‘Tesseract’ (SENSATIONAL!)



Lavandula intermedia Sensational! has broad, thick, silvery leaves. The flowers are sensationally large (11 cm) and intensely purple on densely flowering spikes. Sensational! flowers profusely from summer to autumn. It has a very long flowering season as it gives a second bloom. Sensational! has a compact, upright growth habit and forms a well-branched plant about 60 cm high and wide. It has a high tolerance to leaf spot and root disease. Moreover, it has a very fine, floral fragrance. Marketed from 1 January 2023 by Handelskwekerij G. Hoogenraad BV. Plant breeders' rights.
 
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Tiny Twinkler’

The new Pennisetum ‘Tiny Twinkler’ is a beautiful Pennisetum with slightly higher flower stems, giving even more flower panicles high above the green foliage. ‘Tiny Twinkler’ is very compact, making it suitable for almost any type of landscape design. This Pennisetum has neat, straight flower panicles that stay nicely compact and bloom summer and autumn. It is a very low-maintenance variety, very hardy and drought-resistant. As of 1 March 2024 marketed by Handelskwekerij G. Hoogenraad BV.
 
Choisya ‘Lissbrid’ (SCENTED GEM)



Choisya Scented Gem has compact, glossy, dark green leaves and masses of fragrant, pinkish-white flowers that contribute to its bushy growth habit. When the first pink flower buds emerge in early spring, the enjoyment begins: Scented Gem blooms in spring to early summer with pure white, fragrant flowers. When autumn arrives, the flowers return once more. Scented Gem has a dense growth habit that requires no pruning and is easy to grow. Won by Liss Forest Nursery Ltd, Greatham, (Liss) Hampshire, UK and on sale from: 1 January 2023 by: About Plants Zundert B.V. Plant breeders' rights.
 
Cornus kausa ‘ColumnB1’ (FLOWER TOWER)



Cornus Flower Tower is a flowering tower: the growth of Flower Tower is upright and columnar and the flowering in May-June is very profuse. The green leaves turn to scarlet red in autumn. Cornus Flower Tower grows about 4 m high and 1 m wide, making it a perfect tree for the smaller (city) garden. Pruning is not necessary. Marketed since 1 January 2024 by Asra Plant bvba of Meer (B) and Spilkers Baumschulen GbR . Plant breeders' rights protected.
 
Helleborus niger ‘ANDRE’



This niger is very exceptional for its pinnate dark green leaves. It has an open structure that makes the plant less susceptible to disease (botrytis and aphids). The flowers stand out beautifully above the leaves in November-December. Large white flowers that can also be used as a cut flower. Produced by Helleborus BV, Oostkamp (B) and marketed by them from 1 December 2023.  Plant breeders' rights protected.
 
 Helleborus orientalis ‘Victoria’ (VIV COLLECTION)



This is a Helleborus orientalis hybrid that flowers as early as October and continues flowering until the end of March et pink to purplish-red flowers depending on the cold. Very hardy and flowers can also be used for cutting. Won by Helleborus BV, Oostkamp 9B). On sale from 1 December 2022 by: Helleborus BV and Microflor. Plant breeders' rights protected.
 
Cercis ‘Eternal Flame’



The heart-shaped leaves of Cercis ‘ Eternal Flame’ are particularly decorative because of the different leaf colours. Eternal Flame simultaneously displays red, orange and yellow leaves and has beautiful dark pink blossom in early spring. Presented at GrootGroenPlus 2024 by W .J. Hooftman from Boskoop (NL). Plant breeders' rights protected.

Campsis tagliabunda ‘Mincamroug13’ (EBONY & RED (R)



This Campsis has glossy green leaves, at the beginning of autumn the foliage turns green, bronze/gold. Abundant red and large blooms from July to September. Won by: Hortival Diffusion - Minier Professional Solutions. On sale from 20 January 2023 by: Minier Professional Solutions of Beaufort en Anjou (F). Plant breeders' rights applied for.

Cotinus coggygria ‘Mincolem04’ (LEMON LADY (R)



The leaves are lime yellow in spring, have a greener colour in summer and then orange in autumn. The pink and yellow, feathery flowers appear in summer. Won by: Hortival Diffusion - Minier Professional Solutions. On sale from 15 February 2023 by: Minier Professional Solutions of Beaufort and Anjou (F). Plant breeders' rights applied for.

Osmanthus burkwoodii



The Osmanthus has oblong-oval dark green leaves and bears white flowers in April-May.  Presented at GrootGroenPlus 2024 by tree nursery Peter Verhoeven BV of Haaren (NL).

Taxus baccata



Taxus baccata is a low-maintenance, sturdy conifer that produces a dense hedge and grows well in almost all soil types, both shady and sunny positions. It resists cold and frost well, even in extremely harsh winters. The shiny dark green needles are about 1.5 cm long. Presented at GrootGroenPlus 2024 by Tree Nursery Peter Verhoeven BV of Haaren (NL).

Taxus baccata 'Renkes kleiner Grüner'.



Leaf shape and leaf color dark green needles. Won by: Baumschulen Renkes zur Muhlen Neuenkruger Stasse 16 A Bad Zwischenahn (D). Marketed by: Baumschulen Renkes zur Muhlen and presented at GrootGroenPlus 2024 by Nursery Peter Verhoeven BV from Haaren (NL).

Picea pungens 'Margarita

This is a slow grower with white-cream color spring growth, which persists until August. Then the color changes to light blue. Obtained by : Boczki-Pracela 14, 98- 240 Szadek As of Jan. 1, 2012 marketed by Michal Kaluzinski. Currently in observation at OBORU in Poland. Presented at GrootGroenPlus 2024 by A&M Kaluzinscy Szkolka Polskie Korzenie, from Szadek (Pl)

Pinus x schwerinii 'Polonik'



This mutant created from 'Wiethorst' has a green-blue color. Obtained by Boczki-Pracela, Szadek (Pl). As of : March 1, 2014 marketed by Michal Kaluzinski. Currently in observation at OBORU in Poland. Presented at GrootGroenPlus 2024 by A&M Kaluzinscy Szkolka Polskie Korzenie, from Szadek (Pl).

Phillyrea latifolia ' L.'



Phillyrea latifolia L. is an evergreen shrub and is related to the olive. It can reach a height of 6 to 8 meters. The leaves are dark green in color, leathery and egg to lanceolate. In the April-May flowering period, it blooms with small white blossoms in a panicle shape. After flowering, berries appear and turn black. The Phillyrea latifolia L. requires a dry to slightly moist clay soil and a sheltered location. Unlike the Phillyrea latifolia, this plant has less jagged leaves and grows more compact and bulbous. Obtained by Huijbregts Boomkwekerij BV from Wernhout (NL) and also marketed by this company.
In consultation with Naktuinbouw and various other channels, the company is working to find out exactly what species this is. Various assortment experts cannot give us a definitive answer as to whether this is a new variety. Is not known to anyone so far. Via Naktuinbouw they are in the process of applying for a genetic research.

Taxus baccata 'Jotab1'(BEST HEDGE® )

This Taxus has a uniform growth. The advantage of this is that all plants in a field can be delivered as one batch. This yew has a beautiful upright growth. Extremely suitable for use as a hedge. Easily grows to a height of three meters. In width it is narrower than the Best Globe™, up to about 1 meter. The branches grow close to the trunk and have an upright habit. This species tolerates extremely low temperatures down to -25 degrees Celsius just fine. In partial shade or in a sunny spot, this plant comes into its own as well as planted as a solitary or in a large pot. Because this plant does not grow very wide, it is suitable for smaller areas. Won by Josa Selections B.V. As of October 1, 2023 on sale by Vromans Kwekerijen B.V. of Biest-Houtakker (NL). Plant breeder rights protected.

Leycesteria formosa ‘Little lantern’



Little Lanterns is a new compact variety of Leycesteria. It is perfect for the smaller garden and also fits very well in a large patio pot. Little Lanterns can withstand the sun and heat and attracts pollinators with its striking lantern-shaped flowers. At GrootGroenPlus presented by Florall (B).

Distylium ‘Coppertone’



Distylium ‘Coppertone’ features coppery-red new foliage that matures to a cool blue-green. Disease resistant and adaptable, this evergreen shrub for warm climates has become a landscape favorite as a replacement for Buxus, Ligustrum and other shrubs that have become plagued with disease and pest issues. At 100 to 120 cm tall and 120 to 150 cm wide ‘Coppertone’ is a great mid-size choice for landscape beds. At GrootGroenPlus presented by Florall (B).

Agapanthus africanus ‘Willy’s White’



This beautiful white, richly flowering evergreen Agapanthus has been selected for its beautiful and big white flowers. Furthermore is the number of flowers also amazing! This Agapanthus keeps on blooming. It is a real continuous bloomer. This cultivar is still blooming constantly in the greenhouse during the winter. And that is quite exceptional. This Agapanthus can offer a flowering period of more than 100 days. The plant has compact leaves and grows to 50 - 60cm high. At GrootGroenPlus presented by Florall (B).

Carpinus betulus ‘Frank Lagaert’

This Carpinus betulus, propagated at the nursery of David Bömer (NL), has a compact growth habit and fine leaves. With a height of 200 to 250 cm the plant is very suitable for use in (smaller) city gardens, but also as rooftop tree. This cultivar is a strong newcomer within the range of climate trees. Carpinus betulus ‘Frank Lagaert’ does well under slightly drier and warmer conditions. This cultivar is named after Frank Lagaert (PCS) for his efforts in the search for a wide range of trees suitable for the climate. At GrootGroenPlus presented by Florall (B).