In the 80s, the PPO (Applied Plant Research) in Boskoop made extensive crosses with Pieris, from which well-known varieties such as ‘Debutante’ & ‘Cupido’ were born. These varieties are compact and have upright flower clusters. We strongly wished to combine the upright flower clusters with a red flower color. After the crosses had been made, it took seven years before its seedlings first flowered. Meanwhile, the breeding had been taken over by Margareth Hop.

She selected first from the seedlings ‘Bonfire’, which have red flower buds and white flowers. And our wish came true: it also had a red-flowering Pieris with upright flower clusters. Tests have shown that this new Pieris is stronger and easier to propagate than other red-flowering Pieris varieties like ‘Valley Valentine’. The branching is much better, which results in beautiful, full plants.

When the examination committee of the KVBC (Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society) – who initially came to examine other plants – saw this new Pieris in the PPO greenhouse, they were instantly curious to know more about this beautiful plant. Shortly after, they arranged to have several nurseries test this new Pieris for its growing, propagation and flowering qualities. In the meantime they were looking for a name which would go well with names like ‘Valley Valentine’ and ‘Cupido’.

‘PASSION’ was the name they chose, because of its cherry red flowers as well as its flowering period: it leaves the greenhouse around Valentine’s Day and can be planted outside in the run-up to Easter. ‘Passion’ was introduced in 2005. Ever since, it has been stealing the show in all the garden centers and gardens worldwide.

By Concept Breeder: Margareth Hop, PPO (Breeder of the Pieris japonica ‘Passion’)