SMHMNUFB1

Hydrangea

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Berner' (Let's Dance Big Easy) and 'Nikko Blue'

Summary: The plants and inflorescence height of 'SMHMNUFB1' are shorter than those of both reference varieties. The calyx of the sterile flower of 'SMHMNUFB1' is larger in diameter than the calyx of 'Nikko Blue'. The sepal on the calyx of the sterile flower of 'SMHMNUFB1' is longer than the sepal of 'Nikko Blue'. The sterile flower of 'SMHMNUFB1' has an acute to cuspidate apex while the sterile flower of 'Berner' has an obtuse to rounded apex and that of 'Nikko Blue' has an acute to obtuse apex. When newly opened, the sepal on the sterile flower of 'SMHMNUFB1' is light blue pink with darker blue pink tones and yellow green at the base while the sepal of 'Nikko Blue' is violet to light blue pink with white at the base. When fully opened, the sepal on the sterile flower of 'SMHMNUFB1' is blue pink underlaid with violet while the sepal of 'Nikko Blue' is violet to light blue pink. When aged, the sepal on the sterile flower of 'SMHMNUFB1' is violet to light blue pink while the sepal of 'Nikko Blue' is mostly white.

Description:

PLANT: non-climbing, upright to semi-upright growth habit
STEM: no fasciation, green, medium number of lenticels, red lenticels

LEAF BLADE: no lobing, ovate and elliptic, long tip, obtuse (wedged) base, medium depth of incisions, no variegation, dark green, absent or weak glossiness, strong blistering

FLOWERING: begins early in the season
INFLORESCENCE: globular shape, inconspicuous fertile flowers
STERILE FLOWER: single, medium degree of overlapping of sepals, margin incisions present on some sepals
SEPAL OF STERILE FLOWER (INNER SIDE): when newly opened blue pink to light blue pink (RHS 62A-B) with darker blue pink (RHS 64D) tones and yellow green (RHS 2D) at base, fully opened blue pink (RHS 73B) to darker blue pink (RHS 68B) underlaid with violet (RHS 75C), when aged violet to light blue pink (RHS 75B-D), no secondary colour
PETAL OF FERTILE FLOWER: light pink

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'SMHMNUFB1' originated from an open pollinated cross made in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA in July 2008. The cross was made between Hydrangea macrophylla female parent variety 'Robert' and an unknown male parent variety. The new variety was selected in June 2011 based on its compact growth habit, reblooming and flower colour. Asexual reproduction by softwood cuttings of 'SMHMNUFB1' was first conducted in June 2011.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'SMHMNUFB1' was conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2018, in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 10 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from quick turn liners transplanted into 13 litre containers on July 15, 2017. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of plants, of each variety on May 26, 2018. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'SMHMNUFB1' with reference varieties 'Berner' and 'Nikko Blue'

Natural plant height (including inflorescence) (cm)

Inforescence height (cm)

Calyx diameter of sterile flower (mm)

Sepal length of calyx of sterile flower (cm)

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

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Hydrangea: 'SMHMNUFB1' (left) with reference varieties 'Berner' (centre) and 'Nikko Blue' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'SMHMNUFB1' (left) with reference varieties 'Berner' (centre) and 'Nikko Blue' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'SMHMNUFB1' (left) with reference varieties 'Berner' (centre) and 'Nikko Blue' (right)