Prima Donna

Jerusalem Sage

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Amazone'

Summary: The flowering part of the inflorescence of 'Prima Donna' is longer than that of 'Amazone'. The colour of the outer side of the flower of 'Prima Donna' is violet whereas the outer side of the flower of 'Amazone' is darker violet.

Description:

PLANT: perennial type
STEM: no branching, purple, square profile in cross-section, no pubescence

PETIOLE: square profile in cross-section
PETIOLE OF BASAL LEAF: pubescence present
LEAF: decussate arrangement along stem
BASAL LEAF: light to medium green upper and lower side, ovate shape, acute shape of distal half, obtuse tip, cordate base, when compared to colour of upper side colour of main vein is lighter, no rugosity, no pubescence, flat in cross-section

INFLORESCENCE: verticillaster type, very many flowers
BRACT: ovate shape, acuminate apex, obtuse base, margin is entire along distal part and dentate at basal part, dark green upper side, light green lower side, no rugosity
BRACTEOLE: four per flower, linear shape, sharply acute apex, entire margin, dark green on upper and lower side
CALYX: tubular shape with toothed margin, truncate shape of apex, light yellow green
COROLLA: labiate shape, violet (RHS N80D) on inner and outer side, pubescence present
LOWER LIP OF COROLLA: broad ovate shape with three lobes, transverse elliptic shape of distal part, round tip, violet (RHS N80D)
COROLLA THROAT: white
STAMEN: white filament, brown anther, white pollen
PISTIL: white style, white stigma

Origin & Breeding History: 'Prima Donna' was bred and developed by the breeder, Petrus Hendricus Oudolf, in Hummelo, Netherlands. It originated from an open pollinated cross that occurred in July 2007, between two unnamed proprietary seedlings. From the resulting progeny, 'Prima Donna' was selected in July 2011, in Hummelo, Netherlands, for its plant growth habit, branching characteristics, and abundant flowering. 'Prima Donna' was first propagated asexually by division during the winter of 2011 to 2012, in Hummelo, Netherlands.

Tests & Trials: The detailed description of 'Prima Donna' is based on the UPOV report of Technical Examination, application number 2014/0938, purchased from the Community Plant Variety Office in Angers, France. The trials were conducted by the Naktuinbouw-Variety Center, in Roelofarendsveen, Netherlands, in 2015 and 2016. The colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Prima Donna' with reference variety 'Amazone'

Length of flowering part of inflorescence (cm)

Colour of corolla (RHS)

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Jerusalem Sage: 'Prima Donna'