Penhared

Penstemon

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Rubycunda'

Summary: The variety 'Penhared' differs from the reference variety, 'Rubycunda' mainly in corolla length, conspicuousness of the markings on the inner side of the corolla tube and the secondary colour on the outer side of the corolla. The corolla of 'Penhared' is shorter than that of 'Rubycunda'. There are no markings on the inner side of the corolla tube of 'Penhared' whereas they are very weak on 'Rubycunda'. The secondary colour on the outer side of the corolla tube of 'Penhared' is red to dark pink red and white whereas it is red and white on 'Rubycunda'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit

STEM: sparse pubescence, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: opposite arrangement along stem, lanceolate, narrow acute tip, entire to weakly dentate margins, medium green on upper side, weak glossiness on upper side, petiole absent

CALYX: sparse pubescence, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
SEPAL: ovate, entire margin

INFLORESCENCE: raceme type
FLOWER: located both in axillary and terminal positions, two per axil, bilabiate (upper lip with two upper petal lobes and lower lip with 3 lower petal lobes)
UPPER COROLLA LOBES: main colour on inner side is red (RHS 46B), secondary colour on inner side is purple red (RHS N57B) at transition to white corolla tube
LOWER COROLLA LOBES: main colour on inner side is red (RHS 46B-C), secondary colour on inner side is white (RHS 155B) and located in area of transition to corolla tube
COROLLA TUBE: white (whiter than RHS 155B) on inner side, main colour on outer side is red (RHS 46C) with red to dark pink red (RHS 50A-B) and white (RHS 155B) secondary colour on outer side located at the basal half of the corolla tube
MARKINGS ON INNER SIDE OF COROLLA: absent

Origin & Breeding History: 'Penhared' was developed through inbred breeding of the variety 'Picotee'. One cycle of half-sib selection between June 2002 through to October 2002 was conducted in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands. Seeds from the selection were sown in January 2003 and a single seedling was selected in July 2003. Selection criteria included compact growth habit, branching and time of flowering. Asexual reproduction by cutting was first conducted in August 2003 in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands.

Tests & Trials: The comparative test and trial of 'Penhared' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring-summer of 2008 at Bioflora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 20 cm pots on May 15, 2008 . Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on July 18, 2008. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Penhared' with reference variety 'Rubycunda'

Inflorescence height (cm)

Corolla length (cm)

Colour of outer side of corolla tube (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Penstemon: 'Penhared' (left) with reference variety 'Rubycunda' (right)