The story of a rare lilac variety 'Surprise'

This is a story about a rare lilac variety 'Pārsteigums'. The variety can also be found in our lilac garden. One of the indicators of the patience of lilac breeder P. Upītis is the rare lilac varieties obtained. Only six varieties of bicolor lilac have been bred in the world, and the lilac garden of the Horticultural Institute can boast four: 'Vaistoshais sapnis', 'Pārsteigums', 'Sensācija' and 'Primrose'.

Two lilac varieties have been bred by Pēteris Upītis – 'Gaistošais Sapnis' and 'Pārsteigums'. 'Gaistošais Sapnis' is a lilac with medium-sized inflorescences, pale pink-violet flowers with a white border. 'Pārsteigums' is the second bicolor lilac variety bred by Upītis.

After working in the museum archive, we have discovered that the origins of the variety 'Pārsteigums' date back to around 1968. In a letter addressed to his brother's wife Alvīne Upītis on June 10, 1968, breeder P. Upītis writes that the next year's sensation will be a new variety with bicolored flowers. The breeder also attached a sample of the new lilac variety to the letter.