Blueberry Sundae

Baptisia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Twilite'

Summary: The plants of 'Blueberry Sundae' are shorter than those of 'Twilite'. The inflorescence of 'Blueberry Sundae' is longer than that of 'Twilite'. The inner and outer side of the corolla of 'Blueberry Sundae' is violet blue while that of 'Twilite' is blue violet fading to lighter blue violet.

Description:

PLANT: vegetatively propagated, perennial, upright-bushy to arching, medium degree of branching
STEM: light green, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration, weak glaucosity, absent or very sparse pubescence, medium thickness, smooth

LEAF: alternate arrangement, trifoliate type, oblanceolate, obtuse apex, attenuate base, entire margin, weak glaucosity on upper side, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper and lower side, light green on upper and lower side, no variegation, petiole present

PEDUNCLE: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse pubescence
INFLORESCENCE: raceme, positioned at terminal, erect attitude
COROLLA: partially fused arrangement of lobes, medium length, medium width, papilionaceous, absent or very weak undulation of margin, absent or very sparse pubescence on inner and outer side, inner and outer side is violet blue (RHS 93B)
FLOWERING PERIOD: short to medium, flowers once early in the season

Origin & Breeding History: 'Blueberry Sundae' originated as a result of a controlled cross made in the spring of 2003 between Baptisia minor (unnamed selection) and Baptisia australis (unnamed selection) at Shady Oaks Nursery Ltd. in Waseca, Minnesota, USA. The plants were selected in 2007 for their colour and growth habit for general garden and landscape use.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Blueberry Sundae' was conducted in an open ended polyhouse during the spring of 2014 at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario. The plants were grown in 23 cm round pots, one plant per pot with 45 cm spacing between the pots. Observations and measurements were taken from 14 plants of each variety. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Blueberry Sundae' with reference variety 'Twilite'

Plant height (cm)

Inflorescence length (cm)

Colour of inner and outer side of corolla (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Baptisia: 'Blueberry Sundae' (left) with reference variety 'Twilite' (right)