NCIV2

Holly

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'NCIV1' (Little Goblin Red)

Summary: The stems of 'NCIV2' have many lateral branches whereas the stems of 'NCIV1' have a medium number of lateral branches. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the stem is absent or very weak for 'NCIV2' whereas the intensity is weak to medium for 'NCIV1'. The upper side of the leaf blade of 'NCIV2' has weak glossiness whereas the leaf blade of 'NCIV1' has a medium degree of glossiness. The colour of the berry skin of 'NCIV2' is red whereas the berry skin of 'NCIV1' is lighter red. The berries are dense along the stem of 'NCIV2' whereas the berries are of medium density along the stem of 'NCIV1'.

Description:

SHRUB: female, deciduous type, upright growth habit, medium density of foliage
BASAL BRANCHES: medium number, semi-upright attitude
LATERAL BRANCHES: many, upright attitude

STEM: smooth shape, light brown, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, no twisting

PETIOLE: present
LEAF: alternate arrangement along stem, simple type
LEAF BLADE: obovate shape, acute apex with apiculate tip, cuneate base, serrate margin, absent or very weak undulation of margin, leathery texture, weak fragrance
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): green grey (RHS N187A, but more green), weak glossiness
LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): brown green (RHS 147B)

FLOWER: white on inner and outer side

BERRY: red (RHS 44A) skin, dense along stem

Origin & Breeding History: 'NCIV2' was bred and developed by the breeder, Thomas Green Ranney, an employee of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. It originated from an open pollinated cross that occurred in 2005, between the 'Ilex verticillata' variety 'Red Sprite', as the female parent, and an unknown male parent. From the resulting progeny, 'NCIV2' was selected in the spring of 2006 for its compact plant growth habit and prolific fruit production. 'NCIV2' was first propagated asexually by softwood cuttings in 2010, in Mills River, North Carolina, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'NCIV2' was conducted as an outdoor irrigated container trial during the summer of 2017 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. It included a total of 12 shrubs each of the candidate and reference variety. All shrubs were grown from 11.5 cm long liners, that were planted into 9 litre containers on July 17, 2016. The shrubs were overwintered in a polyhouse. The observations and measurements were taken from 10 shrubs or parts of 10 shrubs of each variety on July 5, 2017, with the exception of the flower observations which were recorded on June 15, 2017. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'NCIV2' with reference variety 'NCIV1'

Colour of berry (RHS)

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Holly: 'NCIV2' (left) with reference variety 'NCIV1' (right)

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Holly: 'NCIV2' (left) with reference variety 'NCIV1' (right)

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Holly: 'NCIV2' (left) with reference variety 'NCIV1' (right)