Cherry Lemonade

Coreopsis

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Limerock Ruby'

Summary: Flowers of 'Cherry Lemonade' have a shorter peduncle, a smaller diameter and fewer ray florets than those of 'Limerock Ruby'. The main colour of the lower side of the ray floret of 'Cherry Lemonade' is brown red, whereas it is blue pink for 'Limerock Ruby'.

Description:

PLANT: upright compact mounding habit, dense degree of branching

STEM: light to medium green, absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence, thin, smooth surface

LEAF: opposite, simple
LEAF BLADE: linear, acute apex, attenuate base, entire margin, no variegation, yellow green on upper and lower sides, moderate pubescence on upper and lower side, very weak glaucosity
PETIOLE: absent

PEDUNCLE: absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration, very sparse pubescence
INFLORESCENCE: solitary type
FLOWER: terminal position on flowering stem, erect attitude
RAY FLORET: open to touching at base, incurving to slightly twisted longitudinal axis for the majority, obovate, emarginated apex with two notches or mammilate, weak recurvature of tip, dark purple red on the upper side and brown red on the lower side, light yellow brown veins, very weak pubescence on outer side
FLORET DISC: present

Origin & Breeding History: 'Cherry Lemonade' was developed by the breeder Harini Korlipara, an employee of Terra Nova Nurseries Inc., in Canby, Oregon, U.S.A. The new variety originated from a proprietary seedling placed in tissue culture. The new variety was selected in June 2004 based on flower colour.

Tests & Trials: The test and trial for 'Cherry Lemonade' was conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 15 cm pots on May 25, 2006. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on August 31, 2006. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Cherry Lemonade' with reference variety 'Limerock Ruby'

Peduncle length (cm)

Flower head diameter (cm)

Ray floret length (cm)

Diameter of disc (mm)

Main colour of ray florets (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Coreopsis: 'Cherry Lemonade' (left) with reference variety 'Limerock Ruby' (right)