Balwingarn

Diascia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Balwhiscran' (Whisper Cranberry Red)

Summary: 'Balwingarn' differs from 'Balwhiscran' in growth habit and width of the plant. 'Balwingarn' has an upright to semi-upright habit, whereas the reference variety is spreading. The plants of 'Balwingarn' are medium in width, compared with 'Balwhiscran' which has broad plants. 'Balwingarn' has long internodes on the peduncle and the reference variety has medium length internodes. The varieties also differ in main colour of the inner surface of the corolla and colour of the spurs. 'Balwingarn' has a dark red-purple corolla and dark purple spurs while 'Balwhiscran' has a lighter red corolla and purple-red spurs. 'Balwingran' also has a higher density of eliaphores on the lower corolla lobe than the reference variety.

Description:

PLANT: upright to semi-upright habit, medium to tall, medium in width, dense branching, no stem anthocyanin

LEAF BLADE: medium green, long, medium to broad in width, no variegation, no anthocyanin colouration, shallow cordate base, narrow acute apex, dentate margin, no hairiness

PEDUNCLE: long internodes with short pedicels
COROLLA: short in length, medium to broad in width, dark purple red main colour on inner surface, moderate reflexing of lateral lobes
LOWER LOBE: slightly longer than broad, weak undulation of margin, sparse to moderate density of very dark red (almost black) trichomal elaiophores
COROLLA THROAT: two dark yellow spots
SPUR: dark purple, strong curvature

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balwingarn' originated in a controlled breeding program during December 2002, in Guadalupe, California. The female parent was the proprietary diascia selection designated 3406-1-3, characterized by its large, coral coloured flowers, medium green leaf colour and bush type growth habit. The male parent was the proprietary diascia selection designated 3409-5-3, characterized by its red flower colour, dark green leaf colour and bush type growth habit. The initial selection was made in March 2003. Asexual propagation since that time has been through the use of vegetative cuttings.

Tests & Trials: The trials for 'Balwingarn' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2006 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 11 cm pots on March 31, 2006. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on May 17, 2006. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 RHS colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'Balwingarn' with reference variety 'Balwhiscran'

Main colour of corolla (RHS)

Colour of spur (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Diascia: 'Balwingarn' (left) with reference variety 'Balwhiscran' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Diascia: 'Balwingarn' (left) with reference variety 'Balwhiscran' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Diascia: 'Balwingarn' (left) with reference variety 'Balwhiscran' (right)