HBA2001

Hydrangea

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Blauling' and 'Mars'

Summary: 'HBA2001' has shorter plants and stronger anthocyanin colouration of the stems than both 'Blauling' and 'Mars'. The flowers of the inflorescence with small calyx are conspicuous for 'HBA2001' whereas they are inconspicuous for 'Mars'. Arrangement of the flowers with large calyx is in two or more whorls for 'HBA2001' whereas it is only in one whorl for 'Blauling'. The upper side of the large calyx of 'HBA2001' is purple to blue pink with lighter blue pink tones while for 'Blauling' it is blue pink with a violet margin and white base and for 'Mars' it is blue pink with lighter blue pink tones and a light yellow basal spot.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit
STEM: strong to very strong anthocyanin colouration

LEAF BLADE: medium green on upper side, no variegation, medium glossiness on upper side, moderate anthocyanin colouration along margin edge, ovate shape, acuminate apex, ranging between acute and obtuse base, no lobing, medium type 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, flattened dome shape
PEDUNCLE: moderate anthocyanin colouration
LARGE CALYX (STERILE FLOWER): strong colour intensity, upper side is purple to blue pink (RHS 67A-B) with lighter blue pink (RHS 68A) tones, four sepals per flower, strong overlapping of sepals, crenate incisions of margin present on some sepals
SMALL CALYX (FERTILE FLOWER): medium to strong colour intensity, flower buds are violet (RHS 75A-B), petals are light blue violet (RHS 76C) with blue pink (RHS N74C) tones
ANTHERS: purple colour of moderate intensity

Origin & Breeding History: 'HBA2001' 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. 'HBA2001' originated from a cross conducted in July 1999 between the female parent designated '98102-04' and the male parent designated '98003'. 'HBA2001' 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 'HBA2001' 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 'HBA2001' with reference varieties 'Blauling' and 'Mars'

Plant height (cm)

Colour of flowers (RHS)

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Hydrangea: 'HBA2001' (left) with reference varieties 'Blauling' (centre) and 'Mars' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'HBA2001' (left) with reference varieties 'Blauling' (centre) and 'Mars' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'HBA2001' (left) with reference varieties 'Blauling' (centre) and 'Mars' (right)