Back in 1997, Jan Verschoor set the ball rolling on a mission to create a whole new series of Veronicas.  

Working in a controlled environment and using established favourites such as 'Red Fox' and 'Heidekind' together with some of his own seedlings from previous crossings, Jan set out to create plants to meet a number of criteria, such as having a lot of flowers, a compact and uniform habit, and interesting colouring.  

Veronica seedlings from which Baby Doll was a selection

Plenty of seedlings were produced, which were planted out in the field. These flowered in the second year after the crosses were made, since which time Jan began to select the best performers.   

The plants remained in the field and also produced their own seedlings, further adding to the range of possibilities.  

Jan continued to observe them and make selections, until finally in the summer of 2003, 5 varieties were chosen to be introduced.  

V. 'Baby Doll' growing in Jan's production field

'Baby Doll' was picked for its very compact and uniform habit, as well as the masses of rich pink flowers it produces. It's one of the earliest of Jan's varieties to flower, starting mid-June in Jan's fields in The Netherlands.