Frosty Morning, Patchwork Quilt, Irish Mist, and Pistachio Ice Cream Ornamental White Clover (Trifolium repens L.).

摘要

In 2002, an ornamental white clover (Trifolium repens) breeding programme was initiated at The University of Georgia (USA) to develop cultivars with highly ornamental phenotypes and improved persistence in the Southeast. This paper describes 4 cultivars, 'Frosty Morning' (tested as genotype 04-O-2), 'Patchwork Quilt' (04-O-6), 'Irish Mist' (04-O-33), and 'Pistachio Ice Cream' (04-O-53), developed in this breeding programme. These cultivars have unique phenotypes that are distinct from other commercially available ornamental white clover cultivars. After 2 years of evaluation in the field, the 4 genotypes were found to be comparable or superior to 2 commercially available ornamental white clover cultivars, 'Dragon's Blood' and 'Dark Dancer', in terms of survival and stand quality in southern USA. Thus, the 4 cultivars were approved for release by The University of Georgia's Ornamental Release Committee in 2008 for use as ornamental annuals or short-lived perennials. The 4 released genotypes were developed from crossing four ornamental white clover genotypes: 'Dragon's Blood', 'Dark Dancer', 'DS' and 'RD'. The 4 released cultivars grow in full sun to partial shade and have the most attractive foliage during the cooler winter months. Therefore, these genotypes are recommended to be grown as cool-season plants.