Sweetie Pie

Dianthus

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Devon Flavia'

Summary: The plants of 'Sweetie Pie' are shorter than those of 'Devon Flavia'. The plants of 'Sweetie Pie' are dense whereas those of 'Devon Flavia' are a sparse to medium density. The bud of 'Sweetie Pie' is elliptic whereas that of 'Devon Flavia' is obovate. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the calyx of 'Sweetie Pie' is weak on the entire calyx whereas that of 'Devon Flavia' is medium to strong on the margin of the lobe. The main colour on the inner side of the petals of 'Sweetie Pie' is medium purple red to medium blue pink whereas that of 'Devon Flavia' is medium blue pink. The secondary colour on the inner side of the petals of 'Sweetie Pie' is dark purple red whereas that of 'Devon Flavia' is medium purple red. The ovary of 'Sweetie Pie' is elliptic whereas that of 'Devon Flavia' is obovate.

Description:

PLANT: dense, flowers positioned moderately to far above foliage

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

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

CALYX: cylindrical shape, weak 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 convex profile of upper part in lateral view, flat profile of lower part in lateral view
PETAL (INNER SIDE): mainly medium purple red to medium blue pink (RHS N57C-D), secondary colour dark purple red (RHS 53A to 60A-B), no tertiary colour, broad width of differently coloured margin, no stripes, no speckles, no area of flush, medium sized macule
PETAL MARGIN INCISIONS: medium number, deep to very deep
OVARY: elliptic shape, smooth surface
STYLE: only two, medium length, no shoulder
STIGMA: white

Origin & Breeding History: 'Sweetie Pie' 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 Flavia' and the male parent variety 'Pomegranate Kiss'. Initial selection of the new variety was made during the spring of 2012 based on heat tolerance, lack of vernalization needed, vigour, growth habit, number of branches, foliage texture, foliage colour, floriferousness and flower characteristics. Asexual propagation of 'Sweetie Pie' by stem cuttings first began in 2012.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Sweetie Pie' 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 30 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 'Sweetie Pie' with reference variety 'Devon Flavia'

Plant height (cm)

Colour of inner side of petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Dianthus: 'Sweetie Pie' (left) with reference variety 'Devon Flavia' (right)