Clone selection in the Lonicera tatarica complex

Authors

• Satu Tegel Dept of Horticulture, University of Helsinki SF-00710 Helsinki, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72254

Abstract

Old clones of Lonicera tatarica L. were registered in four places in Finland in order to find beautiful, hardy and healthy clones. The number of registered clones was 90; the 14 best clones were selected for further investigations. Seven of the selected clones were L. tatarica, four with red flowers and three with white flowers. Six of the clones were L. x bella Zabel and one L. x notha Zabel. Many of the clones registered as L. tatarica proved to be hybrids; these hybrids were, however, often as valuable as ornamentals as L. tatarica. L. tatarica proved variable and susceptible to pests and pathogens, and it also seemed to hybridize readily with other species. Because of these facts clonal selection of L. tatarica clones in cultivation is justified. The real value of the 14 selected clones of the L. tatarica complex will be detected in a clone selection trial.