Brandy Punch

Hibiscus

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Carafe Yogrenache' (Carafe Grenache) and 'Lady Baltimore'

Summary: The anthocyanin colouration on the stems of 'Brandy Punch' is strong while it is weak on those of 'Carafe Yogrenache' and moderate on those of 'Lady Baltimore'. 'Brandy Punch' has a weak to medium degree of lobing of its young leaves while 'Carafe Yogrenache' has no lobing and 'Lady Baltimore' has very strong lobing. The leaf blades of 'Brandy Punch' are wider than those of 'Carafe Yogrenache' and narrower than those of 'Lady Baltimore'. 'Brandy Punch' has wider petals than both reference varieties. The main colour on the upper side of the petals of 'Brandy Punch' is a lighter blue pink than that of 'Carafe Yogrenache' and darker than that of 'Lady Baltimore'. 'Brandy Punch' has a darker pink red basal spot than that of both reference varieties. The basal spot of 'Brandy Punch' is medium sized whereas that of 'Carafe Yogrenache' is small and that of 'Lady Baltimore' is large. 'Brandy Punch' has weak to medium undulation of the petal margin while 'Carafe Yogrenache' has absent to very weak undulation. In relation to the peduncle, the petals of 'Brandy Punch' are semi-erect , while those of 'Carafe Yogrenache' are horizontal and those of 'Lady Baltimore' are erect.

Description:

PLANT: medium branching density, upright branch attitude
STEM: red with green at base, strong anthocyanin colouration, thick primary branch, absent to very sparse pubescence

LEAF: alternate arrangement along stem, weak to medium degree of lobing of young leaves, weak degree of lobing of mature leaves
LEAF BLADE: light green and reddish on upper side, no variegation, absent to very sparse pubescence, ovate, cordate base, acuminate apex
LEAF BLADE MARGIN: very weak undulation, dentate and crenate, medium deep incisions

FIRST FLOWERING DATE: September 2
FLOWER: single type, two coloured, light pink and medium pink colour groups, moderate overlapping of petals, not persistent
PETAL: fan shape, light blue pink darkening to purple red where petals overlap on upper side, purple red veins, light blue pink with blue pink around veins on lower side, weak to medium undulation of margin, semi-erect attitude
PETAL BASAL SPOT: medium size, red with dark red purple band on outer edge
STIGMA: dark pink red
STYLE: red pink over white
FILAMENT: dark purple red fading to white

Origin & Breeding History: 'Brandy Punch' originated from a cross-pollination conducted by the breeder Mr. Mark A. Smith, an employee of Yoder Brothers Inc., Barbeton, Ohio, United States. The cross occurred in the spring of 2002 in Alva, Florida, United States between the female parent, Hibiscus variety 'Carafe Yogrenache' and the male parent, Hibiscus variety 'Kopper King'. 'Brandy Punch' was selected by the breeder in the spring of 2003 in Alva, Florida. Selection of 'Brandy Punch' was based on its good branching characteristics, uniform plant growth habit, desirable flower colour, flower size, foliage colour and foliage shape. The variety has been maintained by vegetative tip cuttings in Alva, Florida since June 2003.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Brandy Punch' were conducted as a container trial during the summer of 2007 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. Rooted cuttings were planted into 20 centimetre pots on June 8, 2007 and transplanted into 7.5 litre containers on August 1, 2007. Measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on August 24, 2007 and colour observations were taken on September 19, 2007. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Brandy Punch' with reference varieties 'Carafe Yogrenache' and 'Lady Baltimore'

Leaf blade width (cm)

Petal width (cm)

Main colour of petal (RHS)

Colour of petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Hibiscus: 'Brandy Punch' (left) with reference varieties 'Carafe Yogrenache' (center) and 'Lady Baltimore' (right)