Red Dwarf

Dianthus

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Frosty Fire'

Summary: 'Red Dwarf' has an upright to cushion shaped plant habit with plants that are taller and wider than 'Frosty Fire' which is more compact. The flowers of 'Red Dwarf' are single and have a slightly larger diameter than the flowers of 'Frosty Fire' which are semi-double. The calyx of 'Red Dwarf' is long and has a light reddish anthocyanin colouration on its lobes and along most of its length, whereas the calyx of 'Frosty Fire' has faint anthocyanin along the edge of the calyx lobes only. The margins of the petals of 'Red Dwarf' have deeper incisions than the petals of 'Frosty Fire'. The flowers of 'Red Dwarf' are red with a prominent dark garnet red ring around the centre (at the transition to the tube). The flowers of 'Frosty Fire' are red with no secondary colour. 'Red Dwarf' has whitish stigmas while those of 'Frosty Fire' are pinkish white.

Description:

PLANT: perennial, evergreen, upright to cushion shaped, medium foliage density, medium to tall, moderate to wide spread, laterals with flower buds present, solitary flowers

STEM: thin to medium thickness, circular in cross section, no hollowness

LEAF: linear shape, straight along longitudinal axis, weakly concave in cross section, blue-green to grey-green, medium waxy layer, slightly toothed margin

FLOWER BUD: cylindrical shape, no extrusion of styles
FLOWERING PERIOD: begins early, moderate length
FLOWER: single, medium to large diameter, moderate corolla height, concave to flat profile of upper part, flat to convex profile of lower part, fragrant
EPICALYX: outer leaves adpressed in relation to calyx, short acute apex on outer and inner lobes
CALYX: long, cylindrical shape
CALYX LOBE: short acute shape, short to medium length, flat longitudinal axis, reddish anthocyanin colouration on whole length
PETAL: type 1 to type 2, flat blade, serrate margin, medium depth incisions, short to medium length, medium width, two colours on blade, red main colour, garnet red secondary colour forming ring at transition to tube

OVARY: ellipsoid to ovoid, lower part green, surface smooth
PISTIL: two medium length styles, no shoulder, white stigma

Origin & Breeding History: 'Red Dwarf' was produced by induced hybridization in 1996 of the female parent 'Brehemen' and the male parent, an unidentified Dianthus. It was selected by the breeder in 1997 for its vigour, red flower colour with darker red centres, its compact tight cushion habit and long flowering season.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Red Dwarf' were conducted in a polyhouse in Oxford Station, Ontario during the summer of 2006. The trials consisted of 10 plants per variety, planted in the ground in a polyhouse. Measured characteristics were based on ten measurements. All colour observations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Red Dwarf' with reference variety 'Frosty Fire'

Main colour of petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Dianthus: 'Red Dwarf' (left) with reference variety 'Frosty Fire' (right)