Saeima Centennial Lilac Variety Given a Name
A new lilac variety, bred at the Institute of Horticulture and dedicated to the centenary of the Saeima, will be named at a ceremonial event at the Saeima building on Thursday, May 26.
The event will be opened by the Speaker of the Saeima, Ināra Mūrniece, and will be attended by members of the Saeima Presidium and deputies, as well as the Director of the Institute of Horticulture, Inese Ebele, and the Institute's leading researcher, breeder of the variety dedicated to the centenary of the Saeima, Sarmīte Strautiņa. A student of the Dobele Music School will perform at the event.
The Saeima will hand over to the Horticultural Institute a plaque with a description of the new lilac variety, named 'Brīve'. This plaque will now be located in the Dobele lilac garden of the Horticultural Institute next to the seedling of the new lilac variety.
The lilac variety 'Brīve', dedicated to the centenary of the Saeima, symbolically conveys our country's highest values - freedom, independence and democracy. A stylized lilac flower, surrounded by the amphitheater-shaped layout of the parliament, is also included in the Saeima centenary logo.
"At the initiative of the Saeima, we were looking for white hybrids," says the institute's lilac breeder Dr.biol. Sarmīte Strautiņa and chose one of the most beautiful white-flowered lilacs with No. 5553.
"For every new breed, just like a newborn child, one of the most difficult tasks is finding a name. Several suggestions came from Saeima employees, until we jointly chose a name that is understandable and appealing to every Latvian - 'Brīve'. And only after making the choice did we notice that the name 'Brīve' was entered in the calendar for November 18th! What a coincidence!"
Lilac breeding is a long and patient process. From the moment the crosses are made to the variety that deserves its name, it takes at least 20 years! It is worth remembering this when exploring the great variety of varieties in the rich collection of the Horticultural Institute, which will soon be in full bloom!
'Freedom'
Common lilac / Syringa vulgaris L.
Breeder: Institute of Horticulture (P.Upītis) /2022/ Latvia
Blooms moderately early, moderately. Flower buds white. Flowers large, white, simple, fragrant. Inflorescences large, moderately dense, composed of 1-3 pairs of bracts. Shrubs about 3-3.5 m high and about 2 m wide.
Photos from the naming ceremony of the Saeima centenary lilac 'Brīve' (author: Reinis Inkēns, Saeima) and video (author: Saeima).