Golden Spring

Alyssum

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: Alyssum wulfenianum

Summary: The corolla of 'Golden Spring' is wider than that of Alyssum wulfenianum. The corolla lobes of 'Golden Spring' have an overlapping arrangement whereas those of Alyssum wulfenianum are free and touching. The corolla lobes of 'Golden Spring' have strong undulation of the margin while those of Alyssum wulfenianum have medium undulation of the margin.

Description:

PLANT: semi prostrate to trailing growth habit, perennial type, dense
SHOOT: dense pubescence, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration

LEAF BLADE: oblanceolate, acute apex, cuneate base, entire margin, no variegation, brown green (RHS N137A) on upper side, dense pubescence on upper and lower side
PETIOLE: present

INFLORESCENCE: terminal position on shoot, medium density, columnar shape in profile
FLORET BUD: ovate shape, yellow (RHS 7A)
COROLLA LOBE: overlapping arrangement, recurved along longitudinal axis, strong undulation of margin, upper side yellow (brighter than RHS 7A), lower side yellow (RHS 7A), no colour change with age
POLLEN: yellowish white

Origin & Breeding History: 'Golden Spring' originated from an open pollination conducted in Guadalupe, California, in August 2009. The open pollination was made between the female parent, a proprietary Alyssum wulfenianum breeding selection coded 2943, and a male parent, which was unknown. 'Golden Spring' was selected in March 2010 for its inflorescence size and growth habit. The new variety has been propagated by vegetative cuttings since March 2010.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Golden Spring' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2016 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 10 plants each of the candidate and reference variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 15 cm round pots in June 2015. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of each variety on April 22, 2016. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Golden Spring' with reference variety Alyssum wulfenianum

Corolla diameter (cm)

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Alyssum: 'Golden Spring' (left) with reference variety Alyssum wulfenianum (right)

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Alyssum: 'Golden Spring' (left) with reference variety Alyssum wulfenianum (right)