Raspberry Ruffles

Dianthus

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Cranberry Cocktail' and 'Black Cherry Frost'

Summary: The plants of 'Raspberry Ruffles' are shorter than those of both reference varieties. The plants of 'Raspberry Ruffles' are a sparse to medium density whereas the plants of 'Black Cherry Frost' are dense. The leaves of 'Raspberry Ruffles' are grey green with a strong glaucosity whereas those of 'Cranberry Cocktail' are medium green with a weak glaucosity. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the calyx of 'Raspberry Ruffles' is strong on the entire calyx whereas for 'Cranberry Cocktail' it is weak to medium on the margin of the lobe and for 'Black Cherry Frost' it is strong on the entire lobe. The flowers of 'Raspberry Ruffles' are smaller than those of 'Cranberry Cocktail' and larger than those of 'Black Cherry Frost'. The margin incisions on the petals of 'Raspberry Ruffles' range from shallow to medium depth whereas for 'Cranberry Cocktail' they are very deep and for 'Black Cherry Frost' the are deep to very deep. The main and secondary colours on the inner side of the petal of 'Raspberry Ruffles' differ from those of both reference varieties. The inner side of the petals of 'Raspberry Ruffles' have no stripes or macule whereas those of 'Black Cherry Frost' have a medium number of stripes and a medium sized macule. The inner side of the petals of 'Raspberry Ruffles' have no tertiary colour whereas the petals of 'Black Cherry Frost' have medium blue pink along the margin.

Description:

PLANT: sparse to medium density, flowers positioned far above foliage

STEM: internode is thick 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 calyx
CALYX LOBE: straight along longitudinal axis, long
FLOWER BUD: circular shape, no extrusion of styles
FLOWER: double type, medium number of petals
COROLLA: flat convex profile of upper part in lateral view, concave to flat profile of lower part in lateral view
PETAL (INNER SIDE): mainly medium purple to medium purple red (RHS 61B-C), secondary colour dark to medium blue pink (RHS 73A-B), no tertiary colour, narrow width of differently coloured margin, no stripes, no speckles, no area of flush, no macule
PETAL MARGIN INCISIONS: many, shallow to medium depth
OVARY: obovate shape, slightly ribbed surface
STYLE: only two, medium length, no shoulder
STIGMA: purple

Origin & Breeding History: 'Raspberry Ruffles' 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 'WP Passion' and the male parent variety 'Fancy Knickers'. Initial selection of the new variety was made during the summer of 2013 based on flower colour and growth habit. Asexual propagation of 'Raspberry Ruffles' by shoot tip cuttings first began during in the summer of 2013.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Raspberry Ruffles' was conducted outdoors during the summer of 2021 at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario. The trial consisted of 16 plants of 'Raspberry Ruffles' and 20 plants of each of the reference varieties. 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 'Raspberry Ruffles' with reference varieties 'Cranberry Cocktail' and 'Black Cherry Frost'

Plant height (cm)

Flower diameter (cm)

Corolla height (cm)

Colour of inner side of petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Dianthus: 'Raspberry Ruffles' (top) with reference varieties 'Black Cherry Frost' (bottom left) and 'Cranberry Cocktail' (bottom right)