Heavens Gate

Coreopsis

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Sweet Dreams'

Summary: The ray floret of 'Heaven's Gate' is violet with a purple base while that of 'Sweet Dreams' is white with a purple base.

Description:

PLANT: vegetatively propagated perennial, upright arching growth habit, medium to dense branching, medium green stem, absent or very sparse pubescence on the stem

LEAF: arranged oppositely, pinnately compound no petiole
LEAFLET: linear shape, acute apex, attenuate base, entire margin, medium green, no variegation,

INFLORESCENCE: head type, almost continuous flowering from early to mid season for a long amount of time, medium to long peduncle
SEPAL: acute apex, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper side, medium green
FLOWER: located both terminally and axillary, erect attitude
RAY FLORET: few, straight longitudinal axis, emarginate apex, bicoloured, upper side primarily violet with purple secondary colour at base, lower side light violet blue
FLORET DISC: present

Origin & Breeding History: 'Heaven's Gate' was discovered as a naturally occurring branch mutation in a block of nursery containers of Coreopsis rosea 'Sweet Dreams' during the summer of 2002 . Selection criteria included ray floret colour and ease of propagation.

Tests & Trials: Trials were conducted during the summer of 2006 in Oxford Station, Ontario. 15 plants of each variety were individually grown in 15cm pots in a poly house. Plants were spaced 35cm apart. Observations and measurements were taken on 10 plants of each variety. Colour measurements were determined using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Heavens Gate' with reference variety 'Sweet Dreams'

Ray floret colour (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Coreopsis: 'Heavens Gate' (left) with reference variety 'Sweet Dreams' (right)