![](/v3files/shard1/17491/06/cf8c2f074c2f7d2e9ae915.jpg)
Living Raspberry Pink Improved has been named Hydrangea paniculata with the best shelf life by Royal FloraHolland.
For the third time in a row, this means gold for breeder Alex Schoemaker. "Previously, we received this award with Living Pinky Promise® and Living Little Rosy®. All three winners fall within our Living Creations line with good genetics, promising 100-day flowering, among other things. That the results are consistent is therefore explainable, but it is again a great acknowledgement that we have received this confirmation this year. In all cases, we deliver our plants to the inspection untreated and unsprayed. Pure winners, then," says Alex Schoemaker.
![](/v3files/shard1/17491/5f/a6db2ddbe2d4224c87a1b3.jpg)
Living Raspberry Pink® Improved is, as the name suggests, an improved version of Living Raspberry Pink®. Especially the growth characteristics have been optimised. Improved branching produces a compact growth form with strong branches. This results in a nicely filled-out, lushly flowering plant. The flowers start out creamy white and turn light pink in the course of the summer.
Test method
For this judgement, the plants were tested intensively for a long time by Royal FloraHolland's Knowledge Centre. Here, the logistic route from grower to consumer is simulated. It then looks at how and how long the plant performs in a simulated end-customer environment. On this, the professional jury judges the entry against the other entries.
The Boskoop breeder also expects to have new varieties tested in future years: "Every year we expand our assortment with new colours, new applications but also improvements within the Living Creations® assortment. Core promises here remain more than 100 days of flowering, hardy to -30 and easy to care for." Extensive consumer-focused information is available via livingcreations.com. For the trade, more information is available at alexschoemaker.co.uk.