UCONNBD604

Butterfly Bush

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Adokeep' (Adonis Blue) and 'UCONNBD610' (Soda Pop Purple)

Summary: The plants of 'UCONNBD604' are shorter than those of both reference varieties. The plants of 'UCONNBD604' are broader than they are tall while those of 'Adokeep' are taller than they are broad. The stem of 'UCONNBD604' has very dense pubescence while the stem of both reference varieties has dense pubescence. The upper side of the leaf blade of 'UCONNBD604' is dark green while the leaf blade of 'Adokeep' is light to medium green and that of 'UCONNBD610' is medium green. The leaf blade and inflorescence of 'UCONNBD604' are smaller than those of both reference varieties. The inner side of the corolla lobe of 'UCONNBD604' is violet with blue violet along the margin whereas the corolla lobe of 'Adokeep' is blue violet with darker blue violet along the margin and that of 'UCONNBD610' is pinker violet with blue violet along the margin.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright to spreading growth habit, broader than tall, flowering begins mid-season
STEM: green, moderately angular in cross-section, very dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: lanceolate, dark green on upper side, no variegation, dentate margin, sparse pubescence on upper side, pubescence present on lower side, absent or weak to medium degree of bulging between veins

INFLORESCENCE: conical, dense to very dense flowers
CALYX: medium length, very dense pubescence
COROLLA LOBE: semi-erect to horizontal attitude at full flowering, non-touching arrangement, medium depth margin incisions, inner side violet (RHS 84A) with blue violet (RHS 90C) along margin, yellow orange (RHS 17A) eye

Origin & Breeding History: 'UCONNBD604' originated from a controlled cross conducted in Storrs, Connecticut, USA by breeders, Dr. Mark Henry Brand, an employee of the University of Connecticut, and William Addison Smith, a former student at the University of Connecticut. In July 2008, the cross was made between the Buddleja davidii varieties 'Adokeep' (female parent) and the proprietary selection 'UConn dwf-01' (male parent). 'UCONNBD604' was selected in July 2010 based on its compact and dense plant growth habit, thick stems with short internodes, wide textured leaves, numerous panicles and cold temperature hardiness. Asexual propagation was first conducted by softwood cuttings in July 2010 in Storrs, Connecticut, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'UCONNBD604' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring and summer of 2018, at Bioflora Inc., in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 12 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from 10 cm rooted liners and transplanted into 9 litre containers on July 19, 2016. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety on July 26, 2018. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'UCONNBD604' with reference varieties 'Adokeep' and 'UCONNBD610'

Plant height (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence length (cm)

Inflorescence width (cm)

Colour of corolla lobe (RHS)

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Butterfly Bush: 'UCONNBD604' (left) with reference varieties 'Adokeep' (centre) and 'UCONNBD610' (right)

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Butterfly Bush: 'UCONNBD604' (left) with reference varieties 'Adokeep' (centre) and 'UCONNBD610' (right)