Summer Storm

Hibiscus

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Kopper King'

Summary: The plants of 'Summer Storm' have medium to dense branching while the plants of 'Kopper King' have sparse to medium branching. The branches of 'Summer Storm' are a darker purple red colour than the branches of 'Kopper King'. The upper side of the leaf blade is dark purple red for 'Summer Storm' while it is brown red for 'Kopper King'. The leaves of 'Summer Storm' have strong lobing while the leaves of 'Kopper King' have medium lobing. The flowers of 'Summer Storm' have a medium to large eye zone while the flowers of 'Kopper King' have a small to medium sized eye zone. The upper side of the petal is blue pink to light blue pink for 'Summer Storm' while the petal of 'Kopper King' is light blue pink and white. The lower side of the petal is light blue pink for 'Summer Storm' while it is white for 'Kopper King'.

Description:

PLANT: bushy growth habit, medium to dense branching, upright branch attitude, stems purple red on upper third

LEAF BLADE: upper side dark purple-red, no variegation, palmate, 3-5 lobes, base rounded to truncate, apex acute, strong lobing, moderate undulation of margin, shallow to medium depth dentate incisions on margin

FLOWER: single, main colour pink, medium to large eye zone, eye zone purple red (RHS N66A-B) to purple (RHS 61A), strong overlapping of petals, mid to late season flowering
PETAL: two colours, upper side blue pink to light blue pink (RHS 6A/B) with light blue pink (RHS 65D) secondary colour at margin, lower side light blue pink (RHS 65D), absent or very weak serrations on margin, weak undulation, fading of colour present
STAMINAL COLUMN: main colour white, base colour identical to main colour
STIGMA PAD: yellow-white.

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Summer Storm' originated from a cross between 'Kopper King' and 'Fireball', made at Walters Gardens Inc. in Zeeland, Michigan, USA, in the summer of 2004. The variety was selected from the progeny of the cross in the summer of 2005.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Summer Storm' were conducted at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario during the summer of 2010. 26 plants of both varieties were grown in 23 cm pots in an outdoor trial. Plants were spaced approximately 60 cm apart. Colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Summer Storm' with reference variety 'Kopper King'

Colour of petal (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Hibiscus: 'Summer Storm' (left) with reference variety 'Kopper King' (right)