Classic Coral

Dianthus

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Coral Reef'

Summary: The plants of 'Classic Coral' are dense whereas those of 'Coral Reef' are a medium density. The leaves of 'Classic Coral' have medium degree of glaucosity whereas the leaves of 'Coral Reef' have strong glaucosity. The bud of 'Classic Coral' is elliptic whereas that of 'Coral Reef' is obovate. The flowers of 'Classic Coral' have few to medium number of petals whereas those of 'Coral Reef' have medium to many petals. The inner side of the petals of 'Classic Coral' are medium purple red whereas those of 'Coral Reef' are medium red to red pink with a narrow pink and white margin

Description:

PLANT: dense, flowers positioned moderately above foliage

STEM: internode is thin to 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, medium glaucosity on upper side, spiny ciliation of margin absent

CALYX: cylindrical shape, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
CALYX LOBE: straight along longitudinal axis, medium length
FLOWER BUD: elliptic shape, no extrusion of styles
FLOWER: double type, few to medium number of petals
COROLLA: convex profile of upper part in lateral view, flat profile of lower part in lateral view
PETAL (INNER SIDE): medium purple red (RHS 55A), no secondary colour, no differently coloured margin, medium number of stripes, no speckles, no area of flush, no macule
PETAL MARGIN INCISIONS: many, medium to deep
OVARY: obovate shape, smooth surface
STYLE: only two, medium length, no shoulder
STIGMA: white

Origin & Breeding History: 'Classic Coral' originated from a cross and recurrent selection conducted by the breeder, Hans Hansen, in Zeeland, Michigan, USA, in the spring/summer of 2012. The cross was made between the female parent variety 'Double North' and the male parent variety 'Lillipot'. Initial selection of the new variety was made during the summer of 2013 based on flower colour and growth habit. Asexual propagation of 'Classic Coral' by shoot tip cuttings first began during in the summer of 2013.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Classic Coral' 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 table for 'Classic Coral' with reference variety 'Coral Reef'

Colour of inner side of petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Dianthus: 'Classic Coral' (left) with reference varieties 'Coral Reef' (right)