Eseles

Boxwood

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Golden Dream'

Summary: In late summer, the plant of 'Eseles' is shorter in height and narrower in width than the plant of 'Golden Dream'. The main colour on the upper side of the leaf blade is dark green for 'Eseles' while it is medium green for 'Golden Dream'. The secondary colour on the upper side of the leaf of 'Eseles' is yellow while the secondary colour on the leaf of 'Golden Dream' is yellow green. There is a strong contrast between the new and mature growth of 'Eseles' while there is a weak contrast for 'Golden Dream'. The leaf of 'Eseles' has a strong contrast between the main and secondary colour while the leaf of 'Golden Dream' has a medium contrast.

Description:

PLANT: evergreen, upright growth habit, compact, medium degree of branching, medium to dense foliage
STEM: thin to medium in thickness, weak anthocyanin colouration, edged shape, light green and red-brown, no twisting present

LEAF: opposite arrangement, simple, elliptic, obtuse apex, cuneate base, entire margin, strong glossiness on upper side, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper and lower side, weak fragrance, upper side dark green, lower side light green, yellow variegation, strong contrast between new and mature growth, strong contrast in variegation
LEAF COLOUR IN SPRING: main colour on upper side of leaf from young growth brown green (brighter than RHS 137C) with green brown (RHS 153A) secondary colour, upper side of leaf from mature growth dark green (RHS 137A) with light yellow (RHS 9C) secondary colour
LEAF COLOUR IN LATE SUMMER: upper side of leaf from mature growth dark green (greener than RHS N137A) with green brown (RHS 151C) and light green (lighter than RHS N144A) secondary colour
PETIOLE: present

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Eseles' originated as a naturally occurring branch mutation of the boxwood variety 'Winter Gem'. 'Eseles' was discovered at Muskegon, Minnesota, USA in the summer of 1990. The new variety was selected based on attractive variegated foliage, good hardiness and compact dense habit. Asexual reproduction of the new variety was first conducted by hardwood cuttings in December 1990, in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Eseles' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring and summer of 2012 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants of the candidate variety and 10 plants of the reference variety. All plants were grown from 5.7 cm liners and planted into 4.4 litre containers on July 19, 2011. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on May 16, 2012 and September 29, 2012. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Eseles' with reference variety 'Golden Dream'

Plant height in late summer (cm)

Plant width in late summer (cm)

Colour of upper side of leaf from mature growth (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Boxwood: 'Eseles' (left) with reference variety 'Golden Dream' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Boxwood: 'Eseles' (left) with reference variety 'Golden Dream' (right)