Pardon My Lavender

Monarda

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Lilac Lollipop'

Summary: The upper lip of the corolla of 'Pardon My Lavender' is blue pink on the inner side and purple to blue pink on the outer side whereas the upper lip of 'Lilac Lollipop' is purple on the inner and outer sides. The lower lip of the corolla of 'Pardon My Lavender' is blue pink on the inner side and violet on the outer side whereas the lower lip of 'Lilac Lollipop' is purple on the inner side and blue pink on the outer side. The outer side of the corolla tube of 'Pardon My Lavender' is purple to blue pink whereas the corolla tube of 'Lilac Lollipop' is purple. The longitudinal margins of the lower lip of the corolla of 'Pardon My Lavender' are not reflexed or very weakly reflexed whereas the longitudinal margins of the lower lip of the corolla of 'Lilac Lollipop' are strongly reflexed.

Description:

PLANT: vegetatively propagated, perennial type, narrow upright to bushy growth habit, sparse to medium density of 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 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 on upper side
FLORET: bilabiate form, pink colour group, short to medium length, narrow, high length to width ratio, longitudinal axis of majority is weakly to moderately reflexed
COROLLA (UPPER LIP): inner side is blue pink (RHS 72D), outer side is purple to blue pink (RHS 72B-C)
COROLLA (LOWER LIP): inner side is blue pink (RHS 72D), outer side is violet (RHS 75A), longitudinal margins are not reflexed or very weakly reflexed
COROLLA TUBE: outer side is purple to blue pink (RHS 72B-C)

Origin & Breeding History: 'Pardon My Lavender' originated from a cross conducted in 2009, in Zeeland, Michigan, USA, between the variety 'Petite Delight', as the female parent, and an unknown male parent. 'Pardon My Lavender' was initially selected in 2010 for its lavender flowers, compact plant growth habit, and strong resistance to powdery mildew. 'Pardon My Lavender' was first propagated by stem cuttings in 2010.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Pardon My Lavender' 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 each of the candidate and reference variety. 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 variety. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Pardon My Lavender' with reference variety 'Lilac Lollipop'

Colour of upper lip of corolla (RHS)

Colour of lower lip of corolla (RHS)

Colour of corolla tube (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Monarda: 'Pardon My Lavender' (left) with reference variety 'Lilac Lollipop' (right)