Bailmacsix

Hydrangea

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'PIIHM-I' (Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout)

Summary: The plants of 'Bailmacsix' are shorter than those of 'PIIHM-I'. The stem of 'Bailmacsix' has few to a medium number of lenticels while that of 'PIIHM-I' has medium to many lenticels. The glossiness on the upper side of the leaf blade of 'Bailmacsix' is strong while it is absent or very weak for that of 'PIIHM-I'. The arrangement of the sterile flowers of 'Bailmacsix' is ranging from irregular to two or more whorls while that of 'PIIHM-I' is in one whorl. The calyx of the sterile flower of 'Bailmacsix' has a smaller diameter that that of 'PIIHM-I'. The sepal of the calyx of the sterile flower of 'Bailmacsix' is shorter than those of 'PIIHM-I'. Margin incisions are present on all sepals of the sterile flower of 'Bailmacsix' while they are present on some sepals of 'PIIHM-I'. The sepal of the sterile flower of 'Bailmacsix' is darker blue pink than that of 'PIIHM-I'.

Description:

PLANT: non-climbing type, upright growth habit, broader than tall

STEM: no fasciation, green, few to medium number of medium sized reddish lenticels in autumn

PETIOLE: reddish
LEAF BLADE: no lobing, ovate to circular shape, medium to long tip, rounded base, shallow to medium depth margin incisions, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, no variegation, medium green, no secondary colour, strong glossiness of upper side, medium degree of rugosity, flat to convex in cross-section

FLOWERING: begins mid to late season
INFLORESCENCE: flattened shape, very conspicuous fertile flowers
STERILE FLOWER: irregular arrangement in two or more whorls, four and five sepals, medium degree of overlapping of sepals
SEPALS OF STERILE FLOWER: semi-erect to horizontal attitude, pointed to rounded apex, absent or very weak rugosity, flat in cross-section, absent or weak undulation, shallow margin incisions present on all sepals, mainly dark blue pink (RHS 64C), no secondary colour
PETAL OF FERTILE FLOWER: pink

Origin & Breeding History: 'Bailmacsix' originated from an open pollinated cross that occurred between the female parent, a proprietary breeding line designated 'TNSXMP0309', and pollen from an unknown male parent, in Watkinsville, Georgia in June 2013. In September of 2014, a single unique seedling was selected from the resulting progeny in Watkinsville, Georgia based on its compact plant growth habit, blooming capacity and inflorescence colour. Asexual reproduction of 'Bailmacsix' was first conducted by softwood stem cuttings in the summer of 2016 in Watkinsville, Georgia, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Bailmacsix' was conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2023 at BioFlora, Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 10 plants each of the candidate and reference variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 13.6 litre containers in the summer of 2022. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety on June 7, 2023. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Bailmacsix' with reference variety 'PIIHM-I'

Natural plant height including inflorescence (cm)

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Hydrangea: 'Bailmacsix' (left) with reference variety 'PIIHM-I' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'Bailmacsix' (left) with reference variety 'PIIHM-I' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'Bailmacsix' (left) with reference variety 'PIIHM-I' (right)