Sarsid1

Sweet Box

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Sarsid2' and Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis

Summary: 'Sarsid1' has narrower plants with longer leaves than Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis and denser plants than both reference varieties. 'Sarsid1' has narrower leaves than 'Sarsid2'. The leaves of 'Sarsid1' are narrow elliptic in shape while those of 'Sarsid2' range from elliptic to oblanceolate and those of Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis are elliptic. 'Sarsid1' produces fewer flowers which are less fragrant than those of the reference varieties. The flowers of 'Sarsid1' produce less pollen in comparison to those of both reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: evergreen shrub, upright growth habit, compact and rounded shape, very dense
STEM: medium to thick, medium to strong anthocyanin colouration at base, smooth, light green, no twisting

LEAF: alternate arrangement along stem, simple type
LEAF BLADE: narrow elliptic, acuminate apex, cuneate base, entire margin, no undulation of margin, medium to strong glossiness on upper side, leathery texture, dark brown green (darker than RHS 146C) on upper side, brown green (greener than RHS 146C-B) on lower side
PETIOLE: present

FLOWER: few, moderately sweet fragrance, very little pollen production

Origin & Breeding History: 'Sarsid1' was developed by Gurjit Sidhu in Mission, British Columbia. It originated from the open pollination of plants of Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis. Approximately 5000 seeds were collected and sown in the spring of 1999. The resultant seedlings were transplanted to 6 cm pots in the spring of 2000 and evaluated in the spring of 2001. Approximately 100 were selected based on plant vigour and leaf shape and transplanted into #1 pots for further assessment. 'Sarsid1' was selected as a single seedling in the spring of 2002 based on its sharp and pointed leaves, overall plant vigour and general attractiveness. Propagation of the new variety by stem cuttings was first conducted in the winter of 2002. Further evaluations for stability, uniformity and performance were continued during the summer of 2003.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Sarsid1' were conducted during the spring of 2008 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. There were 10 plants of each variety. All plants were grown in 3.8 litre containers. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of each variety on March 10, 2008. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Sarsid1' with reference varieties 'Sarsid2' and Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis

Plant width (cm)

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

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Sweet Box: 'Sarsid1' (left) with reference varieties 'Sarsid2' (centre) and Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis (right)

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Sweet Box: 'Sarsid1' (left) with reference varieties 'Sarsid2' (centre) and Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis (right)