SMNHML

Hydrangea

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'SMNHMP' (Let's Dance Big Band) and 'SMNHMSIGMA' (Let's Dance Rave)

Summary: The plants of 'SMNHML' are shorter than those of both reference varieties. The petiole of 'SMNHML' is shorter than that of 'SMNHMSIGMA'. The leaf blade of 'SMNHML' is smaller than that of both reference varieties. The shape of the leaf blade of 'SMNHML' is ovate to elliptic whereas that of 'SMNHMP' is circular. The inflorescence of 'SMNHML' is shorter and smaller in diameter than that of both reference varieties. The sterile flower of 'SMNHML' has four and five sepals while that of 'SMNHMSIGMA' has seven or more sepals. The margin on the sepal of the sterile flower of 'SMNHML' has no incisions while that of 'SMNHMP' has incisions present. When fully opened, the sepals of the sterile flower of 'SMNHML' are medium purple red while those of 'SMNHMSIGMA' are dark blue pink with lighter purple red tones.

Description:

PLANT: non-climbing type, upright growth habit, as tall as broad

STEM: no fasciation, green, medium number of medium sized reddish lenticels

PETIOLE: green
LEAF BLADE: no lobing, ovate to elliptic shape, medium length tip, rounded base, medium depth margin incisions, no anthocyanin colouration, no variegation, medium green, no secondary colour, absent or weak to medium degree of glossiness of upper side, weak to medium degree of rugosity, concave to flat in cross-section

INFLORESCENCE: globular shape, inconspicuous or slightly conspicuous fertile flowers
STERILE FLOWER: medium to dense, four and five sepals, medium degree of overlapping of sepals
SEPALS OF STERILE FLOWER: pointed apex, absent or weak undulation, no margin incisions, medium purple red (RHS 60D) when newly opened, medium purple red (RHS 59D) when fully opened, medium purple red (paler than RHS 59D) when aged, no secondary colour

Origin & Breeding History: 'SMNHML' originated from a controlled cross conducted between the female parent variety 'SMNHMSIGMA' and the male parent variety 'Paris Rapa' in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA in 2011. In the summer of 2015, a single unique plant was selected from the resulting progeny in Grand Haven, Michigan based on its stem strength, flower colour and response to flowers turning blue with soil pH changes. Asexual reproduction of 'SMNHML' was first conducted by softwood cuttings in 2015 in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'SMNHML' was conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2022 at BioFlora, Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 10 shrubs each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from bare-rooted cuttings and transplanted into 13.6 litre containers on July 22, 2021. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety on May 30, 2022. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'SMNHML' with reference varieties 'SMNHMP' and 'SMNHMSIGMA'

Natural plant height including inflorescence (cm)

Petiole length (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence height (cm)

Inflorescence diameter (cm)

Main colour of sepal of sterile flower (RHS)

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Hydrangea: 'SMNHML' (left) with reference variety 'SMNHMP' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'SMNHML' (left) with reference variety 'SMNHMSIGMA' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'SMNHML' (left) with reference varieties 'SMNHMP' (centre) and 'SMNHMSIGMA' (right)