SMNHSI

Hydrangea

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'SMNHSDD' (Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha)

Summary: The petiole of 'SMNHSI' is longer than that of 'SMNHSDD'. The leaf blade of 'SMNHSI' is smaller than that of 'SMNHSDD'. The leaf blade of 'SMNHSI' is elliptic with a medium length tip, an acute base and medium depth margin incisions while that of 'SMNHSDD' is circular with a long tip, obtuse base and deep margin incisions. The inflorescence of 'SMNHSI' is shorter and smaller in diameter than that of 'SMNHSDD'. The calyx of the sterile flower of 'SMNHSI' is smaller in diameter than that of 'SMNHSDD'. The sepal of the calyx of the sterile flower of 'SMNHSI' is smaller than that of 'SMNHSDD'. When newly opened, the sepals of the sterile flower of 'SMNHSI' are medium purple red while those of 'SMNHSDD' are medium blue pink. When fully opened, the sepals of the sterile flower of 'SMNHSI' are medium blue pink while those of 'SMNHSDD' are light blue pink. When aged, the sepals of the sterile flower of 'SMNHSI' are medium blue pink to light blue pink while those of 'SMNHSDD' are light blue pink.

Description:

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

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

PETIOLE: green
LEAF BLADE: no lobing, elliptic shape, medium length tip, acute base, medium depth margin incisions, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, no variegation, medium to dark green, no secondary colour, absent or weak glossiness of upper side, weak rugosity, predominantly flat with some slightly concave in cross-section

INFLORESCENCE: flattened shape, very conspicuous fertile flowers, sterile flowers arranged in one whorl
STERILE FLOWER: seven or more sepals
SEPALS OF STERILE FLOWER: semi-erect attitude, pointed apex, absent or weak undulation, medium depth margin incisions present on some sepals, medium purple red (RHS 59D) when newly opened, medium blue pink (RHS N66D) when fully opened, medium blue pink to light blue pink (RHS 62B-C) when aged, inner petals light green (RHS 144B-C), secondary colour is white distributed in a flush pattern on lower half towards centre
PETAL OF FERTILE FLOWER: pink

Origin & Breeding History: 'SMNHSI' originated from an open-pollinated cross that occurred between the female parent variety 'MAK20' and pollen from an unknown male parent in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA in the summer of 2012. In 2014, a single unique plant was selected from the resulting progeny in Grand Haven, Michigan based on its plant hardiness, double-type flowers and reblooming capacity. Asexual reproduction of 'SMNHSI' was first conducted by softwood cuttings in 2014 in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'SMNHSI' 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 variety. All plants were grown from 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 'SMNHSI' with reference variety 'SMNHSDD'

Petiole length (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence height (cm)

Inflorescence diameter (cm)

Calyx diameter of the sterile flower (cm)

Sepal length of the calyx of the sterile flower (cm)

Sepal width of the calyx of the sterile flower (cm)

Main colour of the sepal of the calyx of the sterile flower (RHS)

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Hydrangea: 'SMNHSI' (left) with reference variety 'SMNHSDD' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'SMNHSI' (left) with reference variety 'SMNHSDD' (right)