MAKD

Hydrangea

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'MAK20' (Tuff Stuff) and 'Lynn' (Let's Dance Starlight)

Summary: The plants of 'MAKD' are shorter than the plants of both reference varieties, 'MAK20' and 'Lynn'. The leaf blade of 'MAKD' is narrower than the leaf blade of 'MAK20' and has a shorter petiole than that of both reference varieties. The upper side of the leaf blade of 'MAKD' is darker green than the leaf blade of 'Lynn'. The sterile flower of 'MAKD' is double type while the sterile flower of 'MAK20' is predominantly single type with some semi-double type, and the sterile flower of 'Lynn' is single type. The sterile flower of 'MAKD' is smaller in diameter than the sterile flower of both reference varieties. When the sterile flower is newly open, the main colour of the upper side of the sepal is blue pink with light green at the base for 'MAKD' while the upper side of the sepal is purple red and blue pink with light green at the base for 'MAK20' and blue pink with light blue violet at the base for 'Lynn'. When the sterile flower is fully open, the upper side of the sepal is light blue pink with blue pink tones for 'MAKD' while the upper side of the sepal is blue pink for 'MAK20' and lighter blue pink for 'Lynn'.

Description:

PLANT: non-climbing type, semi-upright growth habit
STEM: no fasciation, green, white lenticels

LEAF BLADE: no lobing, ovate and elliptic shape, medium to long tip, obtuse and cuneate base, shallow to medium depth of incisions of margin, no variegation, dark green on upper side, medium intensity of glossiness on upper side, medium strength of blistering

INFLORESCENCE: flattened shape, very conspicuous fertile flowers, arrangement of sterile flowers predominantly in one whorl
STERILE FLOWER: double type, very strong degree of overlapping of sepals
STERILE FLOWER SEPAL: incisions of margin sometimes present, inner side is blue pink (RHS 67D) with light green (yellower than RHS 145C) at base when flower is newly open, inner side is light blue pink (RHS 65B) with blue pink (RHS N66D) tones when flower is fully open, no secondary colour on inner side
FERTILE FLOWER: medium pink on inner side of petal

Origin & Breeding History: 'MAKD' was bred and developed by the breeder, Timothy D. Wood, of Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA. It originated from an open pollinated cross that occurred in 2004 between the Hydrangea serrata variety 'Maiko' as the female parent and an unknown male parent. 'MAKD' was selected in June 2007 for its remontant reblooming habit, plant hardiness, lace-cap inflorescence type, inflorescence size, double sterile flower, and short plant growth habit. Asexual reproduction of 'MAKD' by softwood cuttings was first conducted in July 2007, in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial of 'MAKD' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2014 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. It included a total of 10 shrubs each of the candidate and reference varieties. All shrubs were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 13.5 litre containers on June 19, 2013. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 shrubs or parts of shrubs of each variety on June 9, 2014. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'MAKD' with reference varieties 'MAK20' and 'Lynn'

Natural plant height (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Petiole length (cm)

Diameter of calyx of sterile flower (mm)

Colour of inner side of sepal of sterile flower (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Hydrangea: 'MAKD' (left) with reference varieties 'MAK20' (centre) and 'Lynn' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Hydrangea: 'MAKD' (left) with reference varieties 'MAK20' (centre) and 'Lynn' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Hydrangea: 'MAKD' (left) with reference varieties 'MAK20' (centre) and 'Lynn' (right)