Leading Lady Orchid

Monarda

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Leading Lady Plum'

Summary: The plants of 'Leading Lady Orchid' are shorter than those of 'Leading Lady Plum'. The leaf blade of 'Leading Lady Orchid' is smaller than that of 'Leading Lady Plum'. The inflorescence of 'Leading Lady Orchid' is smaller than that of 'Leading Lady Plum'. The bract of 'Leading Lady Orchid' is green and light purple whereas that for 'Leading Lady Plum' is dark purple. The inner and outer side of the upper lip of the corolla for 'Leading Lady Orchid' is medium purple to dark blue pink whereas that for 'Leading Lady Plum' is medium purple. The inner side of the lower lip of the corolla for 'Leading Lady Orchid' is dark blue pink to light blue pink at the margin with dark purple stripes and spots whereas that for 'Leading Lady Plum' is medium purple with slightly lighter medium purple stripes and spots. The outer side of the corolla tube of 'Leading Lady Orchid' is medium purple while it is darker purple for 'Leading Lady Plum'.

Description:

PLANT: vegetatively propagated, perennial type, narrow upright growth habit, sparse branching density
STEM: medium green, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very weak glaucosity, sparse pubescence, small to 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 of pubescence, absent or very weak glaucosity, dark green (RHS 139A)
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 and light purple
FLORET: bilabiate form, pink and purple colour group, medium length, narrow, medium to high length to width ratio, longitudinal axis of majority is weakly to strongly reflexing
COROLLA (UPPER LIP): inner and outer side is medium purple to dark blue pink (RHS N74B-C)
COROLLA (LOWER LIP): inner side is dark blue pink (RHS NN74D) to light blue pink (RHS 75D) at margin with dark purple (RHS 71A) stripes and spots, outer side is dark blue pink (RHS NN74D) to light blue pink (RHS 75D)
COROLLA TUBE: outer side is medium purple (RHS N74B)

Origin & Breeding History: 'Leading Lady Orchid' originated from a cross conducted in the summer of 2012, in Zeeland, Michigan, USA. The cross was made between the female parent, an unreleased proprietary hybrid of Monarda didyma and Monarda bradburiana, and pollen from an unknown sibling of the cross. 'Leading Lady Orchid' was initially selected in the summer of 2014 for its growth habit, disease resistance, flower colour and performance. 'Leading Lady Orchid' was first propagated by stem cuttings in 2015.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Leading Lady Orchid' was conducted outdoors under a galvanized steel structure covered with black mesh shade fabric during the summer of 2021 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 'Leading Lady Orchid' with reference variety 'Leading Lady Plum'

Plant height (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence diamter (cm)

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: 'Leading Lady Orchid' (left) with reference variety 'Leading Lady Plum' (right)