Pheni Reeda

Penstemon

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Rubycunda'

Summary: 'Pheni Reeda' has denser pubescence on the stems and longer leaves than 'Rubycunda'. The upper side of the leaves of 'Pheni Reeda' are lighter green and duller than those of 'Rubycunda'. The main colour on the inner side of the corolla of 'Pheni Reeda' is red while it is darker red for 'Rubycunda'. The main colour on the lower side of the corolla of 'Pheni Reeda' is red with dark pink red tones and red pink streaks while it is darker red with dark pink red for 'Rubycunda'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit
STEM: very short and moderate to dense pubescence, absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration

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

CALYX: moderate intensity of anthocyanin colouration on margin edge
SEPAL: ovate, entire 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 red, secondary colour on inner side is white and located in area of transition to corolla tube
LOWER COROLLA LOBES: main colour on inner side is red, secondary colour on inner side is white and located in area of transition to corolla tube, main colour on outer side is red with dark pink red tones, secondary colour on outer side is red pink
MARKINGS ON INNER SIDE OF COROLLA: very weakly conspicuous, located in corolla tube
COROLLA TUBE: white on inner side, red pink streaks on outer side

Origin & Breeding History: 'Pheni Reeda' 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 '106-1' with dark pink flowers, and the proprietary male parent line designated '109-2' with red flowers. 'Pheni Reeda' 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 Reeda' 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 Reeda' with reference variety 'Rubycunda'

Colour of upper lobes of corolla (RHS)

Colour of lower lobes of corolla (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Penstemon: 'Pheni Reeda' (left) with reference variety 'Rubycunda' (right)