SAPHO demonstration squares for IHC2022 in Angers

In the early 1970s, research programs at INRAE* in Angers for new disease-resistant varieties (e.g. Pyracantha and fire blight) and for ornamental diversification (Forsysthia, Weigela, Clematis, etc.) led to the first selections. Some thirty French nurseries, including the major nurseries in Anjou, joined forces to ensure the multiplication and distribution of these new varieties. This partnership with research gave rise to SAPHO, Syndicat d'Amélioration des Plantes Horticoles Ornementales.

Today, SAPHO is a sarl associating 13 French nurseries, with headquarters in Beaufort en Anjou and offices in Ste Gemmes sur Loire.  Thanks to partnerships with some fifty breeders and agents in France, Europe, the United States, Japan, etc., the SAPHO catalog is growing every year and now includes almost 300 varieties.

* INRA now INRAE: Institut National de la Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement.