New varieties of lilacs bred by Kolesnikov and his followers: the Russian school of breeding Lilac is not just an ornamental shrub. In the 20th century, it became the object of a massive scientific and artistic breeding, the peak of which was the creativity of Leonid Alekseevich Kolesnikov (1893-1968). His varieties, as well as the work of his followers, created a unique "Russian school" of lilacs, distinguished not only by aesthetics but also by a complex of agrobiological characteristics adapted to complex climatic conditions. Leonid Kolesnikov: a self-taught man who created a worldwide sensation Engineer by profession and breeder by vocation, Kolesnikov did not have special biological education. His method was based on intuitive selection and mass crossings (he grew over 300 hybrid seedlings a year on his Podolsk site). His goal was to create lilacs with an ideal flower form, clean and stable color, delicate aroma, and high winter hardiness. Scientific and breeding principles of Kolesnikov: Emphasis on mахровость and form ("lilac-rose"). He deliberately aimed for dense, pyramidal inflorescences, where each flower was similar to a miniature rose with several petals. This required the fixation of complex polygenic traits. Expansion of the color palette. Before Kolesnikov, purple, white, and bluish tones dominated. He introduced pure pink, purple, violet, and unique two-tone transitions into the palette of lilacs. Adaptability to moderately continental climate. All his varieties passed natural selection under the conditions of Moscow winters with thaws and return frosts, making them genetically resistant. Significant varieties of Kolesnikov: "Moscow Beauty" (1947) — a world masterpiece. Blossoms are delicately pink, opening flowers are pure white, double, with a pearl sheen. The variety became an example and received the highest awards from international lilac societies. This is an example of the fixation of a complex trait: color change during flowering. "Hydrangea ... Read more