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Levgold

Spirea

Denomination: 'Levgold'
Previously Proposed Denomination: 'Firegold'
Botanical Name: Spiraea ×vanhouttei
Applicant/Holder: Levac, Denis
290 Boulevard Brassard
Sainte-Paul de Joliette, Quebec
J0K 3E0
Canada
Breeder: Denis Levac, Sainte-Paul de Joliette, Quebec
Application Date: 2005-05-09(priority claimed)
Application Number: 05-4887
Protective direction granted: 2005-05-09
Grant of Rights Date: 2007-06-07
Certificate Number: 2754
Date rights revoked: 2010-10-22

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: Spiraea ×vanhouttei

Summary: 'Levgold' has golden yellow leaves while Spiraea ×vanhouttei has bluish green leaves.

Description:

PLANT: vase shaped growth habit, medium branching density, medium texture in leaf, weak suckering tendency, fast rate of growth, Canadian hardiness zone 4

SHOOT: yellow orange, no pubescence, round in cross section, straight in side view, smooth surface, secondary shoots present, no tertiary shoots

BUD: sparse pubescence, pointed apex, medium in length, narrow, numerous exterior scales

LEAVES: golden yellow when first unfolding, golden yellow when fully open (RHS 151D grown in full sun), golden yellow with green hues (RHS 145B grown in partial shade), orange in fall, obovate shape, obtuse apex, acute base, dentate margin, no pubescence on margin, no pubescence on upper and lower sides, medium glaucosity on lower side, no glaucosity on veins on lower side, no pubescence on veins on lower side, pinnately veined, smooth texture, petioles present

FLOWERING: early, two week period, on previous season's wood
INFLORESCENCE: umbel, emerge after leaves, located in axils of stem
FLORETS: perfect type (bisexual), white, medium in number
PEDUNCLE: foliage present, no pubescence

FOLLICLE: medium brown, persistent

Origin & Breeding History: 'Levgold' was discovered as a chance mutation of Spiraea ×vanhouttei by Mr. Denis Levac at Les Cedres, Québec in June of 1997. It was selected for the colour of its foliage and plant hardiness. 'Levgold' has been propagated both by stem cuttings as well as in-vitro.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Levgold' were conducted in Boisbriand, Québec from 2002 to 2005, inclusive. There were 10 plants per variety. Each plant was planted in 5 gallon pots and grown outdoors. Additional trials to determine hardiness were conducted in Sainte-Adèle, Québec in 2004 and 2005. All colour characteristics were determined using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) colour chart.


Comparison tables for 'Levgold' with reference variety Spiraea ×vanhouttei

Leaf length (cm)

  'Levgold' Spiraea ×vanhouttei
mean 4.1 4.3
std. deviation 0.59 0.54

Leaf width (cm)

  'Levgold' Spiraea ×vanhouttei
mean 2.6 2.8
std. deviation 0.37 0.45

Click on image for larger view
Levgold
Spirea: 'Levgold' (left) with reference Spiraea ×vanhouttei (right)

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