Lemon Chiffon

Heuchera

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'TNHEU042' (Key Lime Pie)

Summary: The main colour of the upper side of the leaf blade is yellow to light green for 'Lemon Chiffon' while it is light green for 'TNHEU042'. The new leaf growth is light yellow for 'Lemon Chiffon' while it is green for 'TNHEU042'. The petiole of 'Lemon Chiffon' is brown at the base changing to brown green at the apex while the petiole of 'TNHEU042' is light green. 'Lemon Chiffon' has anthocyanin colouration on the petiole while 'TNHEU042' has no anthocyanin.

Description:

PLANT: growth habit intermediate between upright and arching

LEAF: palmate, weak rugosity, broad ovate, open to partly overlapping base, medium degree of lobing, crenate margin, shallow to medium depth incisions, margin edge ciliate, weak undulation of margin
LEAF BLADE - UPPER SIDE: mottling of colour absent, new leaf light yellow, mature leaf yellow to light green, aged leaf yellow, veins yellow green (RHS 150D), very sparse pubescence
LEAF BLADE - LOWER SIDE: yellow to light green, very sparse pubescence
PETIOLE: dense pubescence, brown at base, brown green towards apex, strong anthocyanin colouration at base fading to weak at apex.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Lemon Chiffon' originated from a cross conducted at Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. in Canby, Oregon, USA. The female parent was the variety 'Amber Waves' and the pollen parent was the variety 'Huntsman'. The new variety was selected in the spring of 2002, based on foliage colour throughout the season and plant vigour.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Lemon Chiffon' were conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2008 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants of the candidate variety and reference variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 15 cm pots on May 16, 2008. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on September 13, 2008. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Lemon Chiffon' with reference variety 'TNHEU042'

Colour of leaf blade (RHS)

Colour of petiole (RHS)

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Heuchera: 'Lemon Chiffon' (left) with reference variety 'TNHEU042' (right)

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Heuchera: 'Lemon Chiffon' (left) with reference variety 'TNHEU042' (right)