Pheni Pinka

Penstemon

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Cathedral Hot Rose'

Summary: 'Pheni Pinka' has larger flower diameter than 'Cathedral Hot Rose'. The stems of 'Pheni Pinka' have absent to very sparse pubescence while those of 'Cathedral Hot Rose' have very short and dense pubescence. The upper side of the leaves of 'Pheni Pinka' are lighter green and duller than those of 'Cathedral Hot Rose'. The inner side of the upper lobes of the corolla of 'Pheni Pinka' is mainly white with dark pink red margins and dark purple red markings in the area of transition to the corolla tube while for 'Cathedral Hot Rose', it is mainly dark blue pink with white in the area of transition to the corolla tube, and purple and dark purple red markings, also in the area of transition to the corolla tube. The colour on the outer side of the corolla of 'Pheni Pinka' is mainly white with red pink streaks on the corolla tube while it is mainly blue pink with purple red tones and white streaks spreading outward from the base.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit

STEM: absent to very sparse pubescence, at times moderate intensity of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: opposite arrangement along stem, lanceolate, acuminate tip, dentate margins, medium green on upper side, weak glossiness on upper side, sessile

CALYX: dense pubescence, absent to strong anthocyanin colouration on margin edge
SEPAL: ovate, fringed margin

INFLORESCENCE: thyrse type
FLOWER: located both in axillary and terminal positions, two per axil, trumpet shaped (2 upper lobes and 3 lower lobes)
UPPER COROLLA LOBES: main colour on inner side is white, secondary colour on inner side is dark pink red and located at margins
LOWER COROLLA LOBES: main colour on inner side is white, secondary colour on inner side is dark pink red and located at margins, main colour on outer side is white, secondary colour on outer side is red pink
MARKINGS ON INNER SIDE OF COROLLA: strongly conspicuous, dark purple red, located in area of transition to corolla tube
COROLLA TUBE: white with dark purple red streaks on inner side, white with red pink streaks on outer side

Origin & Breeding History: 'Pheni Pinka' was developed by the breeder, Jason Jandrew, an employee of Goldsmith Seeds in California, U.S.A. as part of a planned pedigree breeding program. It originated from a cross made on August 2, 2002 between the proprietary female parent line designated '104-3' with blush pink flowers, and the proprietary male parent line designated '105-1' with pink flowers. 'Pheni Pinka' was selected on May 3, 2003 based on its plant growth habit, flower colour and flower form.

Tests & Trials: The comparative test and trial of 'Pheni Pinka' was conducted in a polyhouse during the summer of 2006 at Bioflora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 15 cm pots on March 21, 2006 . Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on July 7, 2006. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Pheni Pinka' with reference variety 'Cathedral Hot Rose'

Flower diameter (cm)

Colour of upper lobes of corolla (RHS)

Colour of lower lobes of corolla (RHS)

Colour of markings on corolla (RHS)

Colour of corolla tube (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Penstemon: 'Pheni Pinka' (left) with reference variety ' Cathedral Hot Rose' (right)