Bellini

Gaillardia

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Tokajer' and 'Burgundy'

Summary: The peduncles of 'Bellini' have absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration while those of 'Tokajer' have weak anthocyanin colouration and those of 'Burgundy' have medium anthocyanin colouration. The flower heads of 'Bellini' have a smaller diameter than those of 'Burgundy'. The flower heads of 'Bellini' have more ray florets than those of 'Burgundy'. The ray florets of 'Bellini' are short and narrow while those of 'Tokajer' are of a medium length and width; and those of 'Burgundy' are long and broad. The inner side of the ray florets of 'Bellini' are light yellow brown with red at the base while those of 'Tokajer' are red with yellow orange at the tip and those of 'Burgundy' are dark purple red. The outer side of the ray florets of 'Bellini' are yellow orange while those of 'Tokajer' are orange and those of 'Burgundy' are dark pink red.

Description:

PLANT: vegetatively propagated, perennial, upright-bushy and spreading growth habit, medium degree of branching
STEM: light green, medium pubescence, smooth and striate shape

LEAF: alternate arrangement, simple type
LEAF BLADE: oblanceolate, acuminate apex, cuneate base, entire margin near apex to incised margin towards base, medium green on upper side, no variegation, no petiole

FLOWERING: almost continuous, early to mid-season, long flowering period
PEDUNCLE: present, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration
SEPAL: acuminate apex, medium pubescence on upper side, brown green (RHS 137C) on upper side
FLOWER: head type inflorescence, terminal position, erect attitude, many florets
RAY FLORET: short, narrow, straight longitudinal axis of majority, spatulate, acute apex, pubescence present on outer side, light yellow brown (RHS 163B) with red (RHS 41A) at base on inner side, yellow orange (RHS 19A) on outer side
DISC: present

Origin & Breeding History: 'Bellini' originated as a chance seedling of the Gaillardia variety 'Burgundy'. The variety 'Bellini' was field grown from self-sown 'Burgundy' seed and discovered in July 2008, at Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. Propagation was conducted through asexual reproduction using root division and softwood cuttings. The selection of 'Bellini' was based on distinctive flower colour and smaller flower size compared to the parent variety.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Bellini' were conducted in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada in the summer of 2011. The outdoor trail consisted of 15 plants of each variety planted in the ground and spaced 0.15 metres apart. Measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Bellini' with reference varieties 'Tokajer' and 'Burgundy'

Flower head diameter (cm)

Number of ray florets

Colour of ray floret (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Gaillardia: 'Bellini' (left) with reference varieties 'Tokajer' (centre) and 'Burgundy' (right)