Jardins de France N° 669

For almost 50 years, Sapho has been at the heart of the plant industry, as a publisher of varietal innovations. Today, its catalog includes almost 300 varieties of trees, shrubs, climbers and perennials, providing additional resources for gardeners' plant palettes.  And the selection work continues! The Sapho team likes to say that these are “good-natured plants”, but in concrete terms, what are the objectives and criteria involved in the selection process for these new products?

As a preamble, let's remember that the rhythm of the plant is the master of the game. Selection, building up a stock of mother plants, multiplication, growth... each stage takes years. So it's pointless and risky to look for fads! A strategic vision is essential.

The second fundamental rule is that, even when a priority line of research is chosen, the selection grid always remains multi-criteria. For example, a plant that is superbly floriferous but prone to disease or too difficult to grow cannot be selected. 

At Sapho, we speak of “good natured plants”: plants with undeniable ornamental and aesthetic qualities, attractive, generous and original in relation to existing ranges, but also resistant, easy to grow and maintain, adapted to agronomic requirements and new uses.

At Sapho, the varieties identified are the subject of follow-up trials over several years in the various associated and partner nurseries. A technical committee meets twice a year, to share advice on technical and behavioral aspects, and on adapting varieties to target markets.