Maraschino

Dianthus

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'WP Passion' (Passion)

Summary: The plants of 'Maraschino' are dense whereas those of 'WP Passion' are a medium density. The flowers of 'Maraschino' are positioned moderately above the foliage whereas those of 'WP Passion' are positioned far above the foliage. The internodes of the stem are shorter for 'Maraschino' than for 'WP Passion'. The leaves of 'Maraschino' have strong glaucosity whereas those of 'WP Passion' have medium glaucosity. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the calyx of 'Maraschino' is strong on the entire calyx whereas that of 'WP Passion' is absent or very weak on the margin of the lobe. The flowers of 'Maraschino' have a smaller diameter than those of 'WP Passion'. The petals of 'Maraschino' have many deep to very deep margin incisions whereas the petals of 'WP Passion' have absent or few very shallow margin incisions. The inner side of the petals of 'Maraschino' have no area of flush and a medium sized macule whereas the petals of 'WP Passion' have a large area of flush and no macule. The ovary of 'Maraschino' is obovate whereas that of 'WP Passion' is elliptic. The stigma of 'Maraschino' is white with a purple flush whereas that of 'WP Passion' is white.

Description:

PLANT: dense, flowers positioned moderately above foliage

STEM: internode is thin and circular shaped in cross-section, not hollow

LEAF: linear shape, absent or very weakly recurved, moderately concave in cross-section, grey green upper side, strong glaucosity on upper side, spiny ciliation of margin present

CALYX: cylindrical shape, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration distributed throughout whole calyx
CALYX LOBE: straight along longitudinal axis, long
FLOWER BUD: elliptic shape, no extrusion of styles
FLOWER: double type, medium number of petals
COROLLA: flat profile of upper part in lateral view, flat profile of lower part in lateral view
PETAL (INNER SIDE): mainly dark purple red to dark red (RHS 46A-B), secondary colour dark purple red (RHS 53A), no tertiary colour, broad width of differently coloured margin, no stripes, no speckles, no area of flush, medium sized macule
PETAL MARGIN INCISIONS: many, deep to very deep
OVARY: obovate shape, smooth surface
STYLE: only two, medium length, no shoulder
STIGMA: white with purple flush

Origin & Breeding History: 'Maraschino' originated from a line cross conducted by the breeder, Hans Hansen, in Zeeland, Michigan, USA, in the spring of 2011. The cross was made between the female parent variety 'Devon Xera' and the male parent variety 'Pomegranate Kiss'. Initial selection of the new variety was made during the later in the spring of 2011 based on heat tolerance, lack of vernalization required, reblooming properties, vigour, growth habit, foliage colour, foliage texture, floriferousness and flower characteristics. Asexual propagation of 'Maraschino' by cuttings was first conducted in 2012.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Maraschino' was conducted outdoors during the summer of 2021 at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario. The trial consisted of 20 plants of each variety. Plants were grown individually in 16 cm diameter pots positioned approximately 40 cm apart. Observations and measurements were taking on 10 plants or parts of plants. Colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Maraschino' with reference variety 'WP Passion'

Stem internode length (cm)

Flower diameter (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Dianthus: 'Maraschino' (left) with reference variety 'WP Passion' (right)