Roogoja Farm
The Farm is more than 100 years old, 43 hectares
in size and is situated at the banks of the river Kuivajõe.
In the autumn 1949 Roogoja Farm was forced to join the local
collective farm into the membership to which it belonged until
the spring 1990.
The fields of activities have always been plant
growing and stock raising, gardening and bee keeping.
In addition to his main work Mr. Uno Kivistik took an active interest in plant
breeding. Numerous crosses resulted in many perspective hybrids from which
20 new apple trees and 50 roses have been recognized.
In 1974 Clematis breeding started in the backyard
of Roogoja farm. Having gathered a remarkable collection of clematis
from Estonia, Uno Kivistik made up his mind to take up Clematis
breeding as full time endeavor. In 1978 the cross breeding of
Clematis were made by Aili and Uno Kivistik. One of the first
successful cultivars became "Valge Daam" and it gave
the Kivistiks inspiration for cross combinations with over 40
different varieties developed. During the next 6-7 years more
than 6000 hybrids were developed and 140 hybrids have been given
cultivar names. Their Clematis hybrids have participated in sort
comparison tests in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. 23 Clematis
species, 270 Clematis hybrids belong to the clematis collection
at Roogoja Farm. Roogoja Farm is recognized as the northernmost
breeding nursery for Clematis Cultivars, located on the 58th
parallel.
The criteria used in the Kivistik
Family breeding program was to create cultivars with a compact growth habit
and yearly numerous rich blossoms developing on
the current season’s growth, lasting throughout the Spring and Summer
months.
Unfortunately, Mr. Uno Kivistik died in June
1998, however his work continues by his wife Aili and son Taavi
and his wife Aime. His cultivars may have rarely been seen in
North America, although the contribution to Horticulture deserves
full recognition. We are hopeful you may find room on your Clematis
palette to include these fine cultivars. |
