Leading Lady Lilac

Monarda

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Leading Lady Plum' and Monarda bradburiana

Summary: The plants of 'Leading Lady Lilac' are shorter than the plants of Monarda bradburiana. The plant growth habit of 'Leading Lady Lilac' is narrow upright whereas the plant growth habit of Monarda bradburiana is upright bushy to spreading. The stem of 'Leading Lady Lilac' is of medium thickness whereas the stem of Monarda bradburiana is thin. The leaf blade of 'Leading Lady Lilac' is broader than the leaf blade of 'Leading Lady Plum' and smaller than the leaf blade of Monarda bradburiana. The time of flowering of 'Leading Lady Lilac' begins early to mid-season whereas the time of flowering of Monarda bradburiana begins very early. The inflorescence of 'Leading Lady Lilac' is smaller in diameter than the inflorescence of both reference varieties. The upper lip of the corolla of 'Leading Lady Lilac' is violet to light blue violet on the inner and outer sides whereas the upper lip of the corolla of 'Leading Lady Plum' is red purple to light red purple on the inner and outer sides. The lower lip of the corolla of 'Leading Lady Lilac' is mainly light blue violet on the inner and outer sides whereas the lower lip of the corolla of 'Leading Lady Plum' is mainly light red purple on the inner and outer sides. The outer side of the corolla tube of 'Leading Lady Lilac' is violet to light blue violet whereas the corolla tube of 'Leading Lady Plum' is red purple.

Description:

PLANT: vegetatively propagated, perennial type, narrow upright growth habit, sparse branching
STEM: medium green, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very weak glaucosity, sparse pubescence, medium thickness, square shape in cross-section

LEAF: opposite arrangement along stem, simple type, petiole present
LEAF BLADE: ovate shape, acute apex, cordate base, serrate margin, no variegation
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): sparse to medium density pubescence, absent or very weak glaucosity, dark green
LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): sparse pubescence, medium green

FLOWERING: once per growing season, begins early to mid-season, medium length of time
PEDUNCLE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
INFLORESCENCE: head type, located both at terminal and axillary positions, erect attitude, many florets
BRACT: absent or very sparse pubescence, green with light purple at apex on upper side
FLORET: bilabiate form, light violet colour group, medium length, narrow, medium to high length to width ratio, longitudinal axis of majority is weakly to moderately reflexed
COROLLA (UPPER LIP): inner and outer sides are violet to light blue violet (RHS 84B-C)
COROLLA (LOWER LIP): inner side is light blue violet (RHS 76B-C) with lighter blue violet (RHS 76D) secondary colour along mid-rib and dark red-purple spots throughout, outer side is light blue violet (RHS 76D)
COROLLA TUBE: outer side is violet to light blue violet (RHS 84B-C)

Origin & Breeding History: 'Leading Lady Lilac' originated from a cross conducted during the summer of 2009 at Walters Gardens, Inc., in Zeeland, Michigan, USA. The cross involved the Monarda variety 'Coral Reef', as the female parent, and a selected clone of Monarda bradburiana, as the male parent. From the resulting progeny, initial selections for evaluation were conducted during the summer of 2011. 'Leading Lady Lilac' was selected for its disease resistant foliage with dark tints, compact plant growth habit, and attractive, unique flower colour with spots.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Leading Lady Lilac' was conducted outdoors under a galvanized steel structure covered with black mesh shade fabric during the summer of 2016 at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants of the candidate variety and reference variety 'Leading Lady Plum', and 12 plants of the reference variety Monarda bradburiana. All plants were grown as 1 plant per 16 cm pot and the pots were spaced 40 cm apart. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of plants, of the candidate and reference varieties. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Leading Lady Lilac' with reference varieties 'Leading Lady Plum' and Monarda bradburiana

Plant height (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence diameter (cm)

Colour of upper lip of corolla (RHS)

Colour of lower lip of corolla (RHS)

Colour of corolla tube (RHS)

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Monarda: 'Leading Lady Lilac' (centre) with reference varieties 'Leading Lady Plum' (left) and Monarda bradburiana (right)

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Monarda: 'Leading Lady Lilac' (centre) with reference varieties 'Leading Lady Plum' (left) and Monarda bradburiana (right)