Borealis

Blue Honeysuckle

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Indigo Gem' and 'Tundra'

Summary: The density of pubescence on the one year old shoot of 'Borealis' is absent or very sparse whereas it is medium on both reference varieties. The bark on the one year old shoot of 'Borealis' tends to be tinted more red brown whereas it is a bit more dark brown on both reference varieties. There is strong development of adventitious buds on 'Borealis' whereas it is medium on 'Tundra'. The leaves of 'Borealis' are longer and wider than those of 'Indigo Gem'. The fruit of 'Borealis' is shorter than that of 'Tundra' and wider than that of 'Indigo Gem'. The fruit of 'Borealis' are hidden in the foliage whereas the fruit of both reference varieties are more exposed. The fruit of 'Borealis' are not readily excised from the plant resulting in more damage to the plants and fruit when harvested mechanically whereas both reference varieties lend themselves well to mechanical harvesting as the fruit can be harvested with little or no damage.

Description:

PLANT: medium vigour, semi-upright growth habit, medium to strong branching, early time of bud burst
ONE-YEAR OLD SHOOT: no lenticels, absent or very sparse density of pubescence, red brown bark, strong development of adventitious buds

LEAF: medium length/width ratio, acute apex, medium density of pubescence on lower side, medium to dark green on upper side
STEM-CLASPING LEAF: medium to large, pubescent

FLOWER: begins flowering early to mid-season, sparse pubescence of corolla tube, horizontal attitude, style longer than anther length
SEPAL: medium length

FRUIT: begins ripening early to mid-season, broad elliptic in cross section, broad oblong in lateral view, truncate shape of calyx end, medium size of eye opening, intermediate smoothness of surface, dense tufts of hair at apex
FRUIT SKIN: medium to strong bloom, medium to dark intensity of blue colour

Origin & Breeding History: 'Borealis' arose as the result of the cross, 'Kiev #8' (Blue Velvet) x 'Tomichka' (Blue Belle) conducted in 2001 at the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The resulting seedlings from that and other crosses (approximately 850) were field planted in 2002 in the Horticulture Plots of the University. Advanced selection status occurred in 2006. Selection criteria included field hardiness, plant vigour and productivity, fruit size, fruit quality and flavour.

Tests & Trials: The trials for 'Borealis' were conducted at the University of Saskatchewan Horticulture Plots, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan during the summer of 2012. Fifty (50) plants of each variety were planted in 2008 spaced 0.5 metres apart between plants and 3.5 metres between rows. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 20 measurements.

Comparison tables for 'Borealis' with reference varieties 'Indigo Gem' and 'Tundra'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Fruit length (mm)

Fruit width (mm)

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Blue Honeysuckle: 'Borealis'

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Blue Honeysuckle: Reference variety 'Tundra'

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Blue Honeysuckle: 'Borealis' (right) with reference varieties 'Tundra' (left) and 'Indigo Gem' (centre)