A new variety of rhododendrons, bred by Latvian breeders, was named "Qazaqstan"

Within the framework of the events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on June 3, 2021, a selection shrub of rhododendron "Qazaqstan" was planted in the territory of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Riga in a festive atmosphere.

The new variety was bred at the experimental breeding station (nursery) at the University of Latvia in the park of rhododendrons "Babite".

For several years, the breeding of this rhododendron variety was carried out by the founder of the nursery, the famous Latvian breeder, academician of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Rihards Kondratovics (1932-2017).

The director of "Babite" park, Kristaps Kunrads and the main nursery breeder Gunta Riekstina handed over to the Embassy a Latvian certificate certifying the registration of the new variety. The Latvian Breeders' Society also applied to the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain for registration and obtaining the official international certificate for the variety "Qazaqstan".

At the end of May this year, for the anniversary of our country's Independence in the park "Babite" was opened Kazakh corner, where the first shrubs of the new variety were planted.

For reference: the "Babite" park has a long history and is currently the only breeding site in the Baltic States for the cultivation of these majestic and beautiful plants. The nursery was founded in 1980. The 12-hectare park, located on the outskirts of the Latvian capital, has the largest rhododendron collection in the Baltic region - more than 70 wild species and more than 330 breeding varieties. Over 25 thousand people visit the park each year.