Fancy Feathers

Oriental Poppy

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Pink Ruffles'

Summary: The inner side of the petal of 'Fancy Feathers' is orange red along the margin and central area with light red pink towards the base while the inner side of the petal of 'Pink Ruffles' is a lighter orange red to light red pink blend throughout the petal. The blotch on the inner side of the petal of 'Fancy Feathers' is grey while it is black for 'Pink Ruffles'. The petals of 'Fancy Feathers' have deeper incisions than the petals of 'Pink Ruffles'.

Description:

PLANT: bushy-rounded growth habit, sparse branching
STEM: medium green, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration, absent or weak glaucosity, dense pubescence

LEAF: alternate and rosette arrangement, simple, oblanceolate, acute apex, lobed margin, dense pubescence on upper side, medium green on upper side

PEDUNCLE: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration

FLOWER: one short flowering period, early time of flowering, simple type, terminal in position, erect attitude
PETAL: very overlapping, few in number, reniform shape, upper side orange red (RHS 41C) along margin and central area, light red pink (RHS 41D) towards the base, lower side light red pink (RHS 41D), band type petal blotch present, blotch grey (RHS 200B), laciniate incisions present
FILAMENT: violet
ANTHER: violet to blackish.

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Fancy Feathers' was discovered in the breeders' nursery in Rijpwetering, The Netherlands in 2001. The objective of the breeding program was to create new poppy varieties with improved form and improved floral traits.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Fancy Feathers' were conducted during the summer of 2010 in Oxford Station, Ontario. Ten plants of the candidate variety and nine plants of the reference variety were grown in field plots. Plants were spaced approximately 45 cm apart within the row and rows were spaced one metre apart. Observations and measurements were taken on 10 plants of the candidate variety and nine plants of the reference. Colours were determined using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Fancy Feathers' with reference variety 'Pink Ruffles'

Colour of the petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Oriental Poppy: 'Fancy Feathers' (left) with reference variety 'Pink Ruffles' (right)