FARROWMRP

Holly

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Jim Dandy'

Summary: The degree of branching along the main stem is medium to high for 'FARROWMRP' whereas the degree of branching for 'Jim Dandy' is low to medium. The stem of 'FARROWMRP' is thinner than the stem of 'Jim Dandy'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the upper side of a newly opened leaf blade is strong for 'FARROWMRP' whereas there is no anthocyanin colouration of the newly opened leaf blade of 'Jim Dandy'.

Description:

SHRUB: androecious, evergreen type, upright to bushy-rounded growth habit, medium degree of branching, dense foliage
BRANCH/STEM: degree of branching along main stem is medium to high, semi-erect attitude, no anthocyanin colouration, smooth shape, green brown, no twisting
BARK: yellow brown (more grey brown than RHS 164A-B, but becoming lighter towards base of stem) on new growth, grey brown (lighter than RHS 199D) with darker grey brown (RHS N199D) and grey (RHS 197C) tones on old growth

PETIOLE: present
LEAF: alternate arrangement along stem, simple type
NEWLY OPENED LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): light to medium green, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration
LEAF BLADE: obovate and elliptic shape, acuminate apex, cuneate base, strong glossiness of upper side, leathery texture, medium degree of rugosity, very weak fragrance, upper side is dark green, lower side is medium green
LEAF BLADE MARGIN: serrate, weak undulation, numerous spines, shallow sinus between spines

FRUIT: N/A

Origin & Breeding History: 'FARROWMRP' 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. 'FARROWMRP' was selected in 2002 based on its compact plant growth habit and dark foliage colour. It was first propagated asexually by hardwood cuttings in the fall of 2002 in Earleville, Maryland, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial of 'FARROWMRP' 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 with some observations being recorded on September 12, 2014. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'FARROWMRP' with reference variety 'Jim Dandy'

Stem thickness (mm)

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Holly: 'FARROWMRP' (left) with reference variety 'Jim Dandy' (right)

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Holly: 'FARROWMRP' (left) with reference variety 'Jim Dandy' (right)