Baltincite

Gaura

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Whirling Butterflies' and 'Gautalwhi' (Stratosphere White)

Summary: The plants of 'Baltincite' are shorter than those of both reference varieties. 'Baltincite' has shoots of medium thickness while 'Gautalwhi' has thick shoots. The stems of 'Baltincite' have sparse pubescence while those of 'Whirling Butterflies' have medium dense pubescence and those of 'Gautalwhi' have dense pubescence. 'Baltincite' has no pubescence on the upper side of the leaf blades while both reference varieties have dense pubescence. The lower side of the leaves and the upper side of the sepals of 'Baltincite' have very sparse pubescence while those of 'Whirling Butterflies' have medium dense pubescence and those of 'Gautalwhi' have dense pubescence. 'Baltincite' has medium dense pubescence on the lower side of the sepals while 'Gautalwhi' has dense pubescence. The sepals of newly opened flowers of 'Baltincite' have strong anthocyanin colouration while those of 'Gautalwhi' have weak anthocyanin colouration. 'Baltincite' has a shorter inflorescence than both reference varieties. The apex of the petals of 'Baltincite' are obtuse while those of both reference varieties are acute. As the flowers mature, the margin on the upper side of the petals of 'Baltincite' become light blue pink whereas the petals of the reference varieties have no colour change.

Description:

PLANT: upright-bushy growth habit, medium degree of branching

STEM: medium thickness, medium green, sparse pubescence

LEAVES: alternate arrangement, oblanceolate, acute apex, cuneate base, entire margin, weak undulation of margin, no pubescence on upper side, very sparse pubescence on lower side, medium green on upper side, no variegation

SEPAL OF NEWLY OPEN FLOWERS: strong anthocyanin colouration
SEPAL: lanceolate, absent to very sparse pubescence on upper side, medium dense pubescence on lower side
FLOWERING: begins early, almost continuous
INFLORESCENCE: raceme type
PETAL: elliptic and obovate, obtuse apex, cuneate base, entire margin, upper side is white (RHS 155D), developes a light blue pink (RHS 62C) margin with age

Origin & Breeding History: 'Baltincite' originated from a cross pollination between the female proprietary breeding selection 0044-A2 and the male proprietary breeding selection 0017-A1-B2-A2-2. The cross was conducted as part of a planned breeding program in February 2004 in Elburn, Illinois, United States. The initial selection of 'Baltincite' was made in June 2005, based on branching characteristics, growth habit and floriferousness. 'Baltincite' has been maintained by vegetative cuttings since its selection.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Baltincite' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2009 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 15 cm pots on May 5, 2009. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on June 2, 2009. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Baltincite' with reference varieties 'Whirling Butterflies' and 'Gautalwhi'

Plant height (cm)

Inflorescence length (cm)

Colour of upper side of petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Gaura: 'Baltincite' (left) with reference varieties 'Whirling Butterflies' (center) and 'Gautalwhi' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Gaura: 'Baltincite' (left) with reference varieties 'Whirling Butterflies' (center) and 'Gautalwhi' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Gaura: 'Baltincite' (left) with reference varieties 'Whirling Butterflies' (center) and 'Gautalwhi' (right)