HBA1301

Hydrangea

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Blauling'

Summary: 'HBA1301' has shorter plants with larger diameter sterile flower than 'Blauling'. The incisions of the leaf blade margin are coarse for 'HBA1301' while they are medium type for 'Blauling'. Arrangement of the large calyx flowers in the inflorescence of 'HBA1301' is in two or more whorls while for 'Blauling' it is in one whorl. The shape of the inflorescence of 'HBA1301' is globular to flattened whereas it is flattened for 'Blauling'. Colouration on the upper side of the large calyx of 'HBA1301' is weaker than that of 'Blauling'. The upper side of the large calyx of 'HBA1301' is light blue pink fading towards the light yellow base whereas for 'Blauling' it is blue pink with a violet margin and white base.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit
STEM: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration

LEAF BLADE: medium to dark green on upper side, no variegation, medium to strong glossiness on upper side, moderate to strong anthocyanin colouration along margin edge, ovate shape, acuminate apex, ranging between round and oblique base, no lobing, coarse incisions of margin
PETIOLE: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration

INFLORESCENCE: flowers with small calyx are conspicuous, flowers with large calyx arranged in two or more whorls, globular to flattened shape
PEDUNCLE: moderate anthocyanin colouration
LARGE CALYX (STERILE FLOWER): weak colour intensity, upper side is light blue pink (RHS 65B-C) fading towards base and aging to blue pink to light blue pink (RHS 65A-C) with lighter margin, base of upper side is light yellow (RHS 4D), four sepals per flower, strong overlapping of sepals, crenate incisions of margin present on some sepals
SMALL CALYX (FERTILE FLOWER): medium colour intensity, flower buds are blue pink (RHS N74C-D), petals are violet (RHS 75A-B)
ANTHERS: near-white colour of moderate intensity

Origin & Breeding History: 'HBA1301' was developed by the breeder, Niels Arts, in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The objectives of his breeding program were to create new Hydrangea varieties with attractive flower colour and no requirement for vernalization. 'HBA1301' originated from a cross conducted in July 1999 between the female parent designated '97151-02' and the male parent designated '981145'. 'HBA1301' was selected by the breeder in March 2001 in Glandorf, Germany. Asexual reproduction by vegetative cuttings was first conducted in March 2003 in Glandorf, Germany.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'HBA1301' were conducted in a polyhouse in spring 2009 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 10 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from cuttings rooted April 2008 and transplanted into 15 cm pots in May 2008. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of each variety on May 20, 2009. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour charts.

Comparison tables for 'HBA1301' with reference variety 'Blauling'

Plant height (cm)

Large calyx diameter (cm)

Colour of flowers (RHS)

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Hydrangea: 'HBA1301' (left) with reference variety 'Blauling' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'HBA1301' (left) with reference variety 'Blauling' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'HBA1301' (left) with reference variety 'Blauling' (right)