FARROWBPOP

Holly

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Red Sprite'

Summary: The shape of the leaf blade of 'FARROWBPOP' is predominantly elliptic with some oblanceolate whereas the leaf blade of 'Red Sprite' is predominantly obovate. The degree of undulation of the margin of the leaf blade of 'FARROWBPOP' is very weak whereas the degree of undulation is weak for 'Red Sprite'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the upper side of the newly opened leaf is absent for 'FARROWBPOP' whereas the intensity is medium to strong for 'Red Sprite'. The berry of 'FARROWBPOP' is smaller than the berry of 'Red Sprite'.

Description:

SHRUB: gynoecious, evergreen type, upright to bushy-rounded growth habit, medium degree of branching, dense foliage
MAIN STEM: thick
BRANCH/STEM: thin to medium thickness, erect to semi-erect attitude, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, smooth shape, mainly light brown with medium green, no twisting

PETIOLE: present
LEAF: alternate arrangement along branch, simple type
NEWLY OPENED LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): light to medium green, no anthocyanin colouration
LEAF BLADE: predominantly elliptic in shape with some oblanceolate, acuminate apex, cuneate base, medium to strong glossiness of upper side, smooth to leathery texture becoming more leathery with age, weak fragrance, upper side is dark green, lower side is medium green
LEAF BLADE MARGIN: serrate, very weak undulation, numerous spines, shallow sinus between spines

BERRY: red (redder than RHS 42A)

Origin & Breeding History: 'FARROWBPOP' was bred and developed by the breeder, Michael W. Farrow, an employee of Holly Hill Farms, in Earleville, Maryland, USA. It originated from an open pollinated cross that occurred in the spring of 1999 between the variety 'Red Sprite', as the female parent, and an unknown male parent. 'FARROWBPOP' was selected during the summer of 2002 based on its compact plant growth habit, foliage colour, fruit abundance and fruit colour. It was first propagated asexually by hardwood cuttings in the fall of 2002 in Earleville, Maryland, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial of 'FARROWBPOP' was conducted as an outdoor irrigated container trial during the fall of 2014 to the summer of 2015 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 12 shrubs of the candidate variety and 8 shrubs of the reference variety. All shrubs were grown from 5.5 cm liners that were each planted into a 9 litre container on June 7, 2013. The trial was arranged in rows with approximately 60 cm spacing between plants. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of the candidate variety, and 8 plants or 10 parts of plants of the reference variety on June 22, 2015 for plant and leaf characteristics. The berry characteristics were observed and recorded on September 11, 2014. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'FARROWBPOP' with reference variety 'Red Sprite'

Berry height (mm)

Berry width (mm)

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Holly: 'FARROWBPOP' (left) with reference variety 'Red Sprite' (right)

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Holly: 'FARROWBPOP' (left) with reference variety 'Red Sprite' (right)