Red Candy

Lingonberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Red Pearl'

Summary: The plants of 'Red Candy' are more compact with a longer flowering period than those of 'Red Pearl'. The leaf blade of 'Red Candy' is larger than that of 'Red Pearl'. The fruit of 'Red Candy' is larger and darker purple red than the fruit of 'Red Pearl'.

Description:

PLANT: vegetatively propagated perennial, upright-bushy growth habit, sparse degree of branching
STEM: yellow green, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration when young, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration when mature, absent or very weak glaucosity, medium density of pubescence, small diameter (thin), smooth shape, alternate arrangement of leaves

LEAF: simple type, elliptic to obovate shape, retuse apex, attenuate base, serrate incisions along margin, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper and lower side, weak glaucosity on upper side, yellow green on upper side when young, medium to dark green on upper side when mature, no variegation
PETIOLE: present

TIME OF FLOWERING: early and late in the season, long flowering period
INFLORESCENCE: raceme type, flowers located at terminal position only, drooping attitude
COROLLA: four lobes per corolla, lobes partially fused, urceolate
COROLLA LOBE: small, entire margin, white (RHS 155D) on inner and outer side

FRUIT SKIN: dark purple red (RHS 53A)

Origin & Breeding History: 'Red Candy' originated from the hybridization between an unnamed proprietary seedling of Vaccinium vitis-idaea and the variety 'Aalshorst' conducted by the breeder in Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands in 2004. In the spring of 2006, 'Red Candy' was selected from the resulting progeny based on its compact growth habit, long flowering period in spring and late summer, fruit size and fruit quantity.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Red Candy' was conducted outdoors during the summer of 2015 at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario. The trial included a total of 16 plants of the candidate variety and 12 plants of the reference variety. All plants were grown in 27 cm pots spaced 45 cm apart. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of plants, of each variety during the week of September 7, 2015. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Red Candy' with reference variety 'Red Pearl'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Fruit diameter (cm)

Colour of fruit skin (RHS)

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Lingonberry: 'Red Candy' (left) with reference variety 'Red Pearl' (right)

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Lingonberry: 'Red Candy' (left) with reference variety 'Red Pearl' (right)