Jefam

Ninebark

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Dart's Gold' and 'Diabolo'

Summary: The shoots/stems of 'Jefam' are red brown whereas they are red yellow on 'Dart's Gold' and purple on 'Diabolo'. The main colour of the upper side of the leaf of 'Jefam' is brown to gray green whereas it is light green on 'Dart's Gold' and reddish purple on 'Diabolo'. The spring foliage of 'Jefam' is dark purple red whereas it is dark green on 'Dart's Gold' and dark violet on 'Diabolo'.

Description:

PLANT: oblate shaped shrub, bushy growth habit, medium height, medium branching density, medium growth rate, flowers mid-season

STEM: red brown, thick, angular in cross section, smooth bark, weak to medium glaucosity, medium number of lenticels

BUD: very small, reddish-brown, conical shape, pointed apex
BUD SCALE: medium size, pyramidal shape
LEAF: simple leaf type, opposite in arrangement
LEAF BLADE: ovate, acute apex, cordate base, serrate margin, lobing present, brown to gray green on upper side (RHS 166B to 127A), new foliage is orange/red/yellow blend, lime green on mature wood, turning to red purple in the fall
LOWER SIDE OF LEAF BLADE: medium green, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the veins
PETIOLE: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration

FLOWER: monoecious, corymb, terminal location only, salverform shape, no fragrance
FRUIT: inflated follicle, red, medium glaucosity, no pubescence
SEED: small size, light brown

Origin & Breeding History: 'Jefam' originated from a cross between 'Diabolo' and 'Dart's Gold' made in the spring of 2004 at Jeffries Nurseries in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. It was selected in the spring of 2006 based on the colour of the new foliage in spring. The variety was first propagated by softwood cuttings in the summer of 2007.

Tests & Trials: 'Jefam' was tested outdoors at Jeffries Nurseries Limited, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba during the summer of 2011. The plants were started as rooted cuttings in June 2010, grown in 4.5 litre pots and transplanted into 9 litre black plastic containers in May 2011. The trials consisted of 10 plants of each variety. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 RHS colour chart.

Comparison table for 'Jefam' with reference varieties 'Dart's Gold' and 'Diabolo'

Main colour on upper side of leaf (RHS)

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Ninebark: 'Jefam' (left) with reference varieties 'Diablo' (centre) and 'Dart's Gold' (right)

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Ninebark: 'Jefam' (centre) with reference varieties 'Dart's Gold' (left) and 'Diablo' (right)

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Ninebark: 'Jefam' (centre) with reference varieties 'Dart's Gold' (left) and 'Diablo' (right)