Black Cherry Frost

Dianthus

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Cranberry Cocktail' and 'Cherry Vanilla'

Summary: The plants of 'Black Cherry Frost' are dense whereas those of both reference varieties are of medium density. The internodes of the stems of 'Black Cherry Frost' are longer than those of both reference varieties. The leaves of 'Black Cherry Frost' are grey green with strong glaucosity whereas those of 'Cranberry Cocktail' are medium green with weak glaucosity. The flowers of 'Black Cherry Frost' are smaller than those of both reference varieties. The main and secondary colours on the inner side of the petals of 'Black Cherry Frost' differ from those of both reference varieties. The inner side of the petals of 'Black Cherry Frost' have many stripes and a medium sized macule whereas 'Cranberry Cocktail' have no stripes or macule present. The inner side of the petals of 'Black Cherry Frost' have a medium blue pink tertiary colour in marginated pattern whereas those of 'Cranberry Cocktail' have no tertiary colour. The flower of 'Black Cherry Frost' has only two styles whereas that of 'Cranberry Cocktail' has three and four styles.

Description:

PLANT: dense, flowers positioned moderately to far above foliage

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

LEAF: linear shape, absent or very weakly recurved, weakly 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 lobe
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, concave profile of lower part in lateral view
PETAL (INNER SIDE): mainly dark brown (RHS 187A), secondary colour dark blue pink (RHS 64C) to white (RHS N155C), tertiary colour medium blue pink (RHS 64D) in marginated pattern, narrow width of differently coloured margin, many 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: purple

Origin & Breeding History: 'Black Cherry Frost' originated from a line cross conducted by the breeder, Hans Hansen, in Zeeland, Michigan, USA, on May 16, 2011. The cross was made between the female parent variety 'Starlette' and the male parent variety 'Pomegranate Kiss'. Initial selection of the new variety was made during the spring of 2012 based on flower colour, growth habit and flower coverage. Asexual propagation of 'Black Cherry Frost' by stem cuttings first began in 2012.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Black Cherry Frost' 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 'Black Cherry Frost' with reference varieties 'Cranberry Cocktail' and 'Cherry Vanilla'

Stem internode length (cm)

Flower diameter (cm)

Corolla height (cm)

Colour of inner side of petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Dianthus: 'Black Cherry Frost' (left) with reference varieties 'Cranberry Cocktail' (centre) and 'Cherry Vanilla' (right)