Pheni Magna

Penstemon

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Cathedral Hot Rose' and 'Garnet'

Summary: 'Pheni Magna' has thinner inflorescence shoots than 'Cathedral Hot Rose' and broader, lighter green leaves and larger flower diameter than both reference varieties. The stems of 'Pheni Magna' have absent to very sparse pubescence while those of the reference varieties have very short and dense pubescence. The upper side of the leaves of 'Pheni Magna' are duller than those of the reference varieties. The main colour of the inner side of the corolla is dark blue pink for 'Pheni Magna' while it is lighter blue pink for 'Cathedral Hot Rose'. Secondary colour on the outer side of the corolla is white for 'Pheni Magna' while it is dark blue pink fading to blue pink for 'Garnet'. 'Pheni Magna' has less conspicuous markings on the inner side of the corolla than the reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit

STEM: absent to very sparse 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: medium dense pubescence, 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 dark blue pink, 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 dark blue pink, secondary colour on inner side is white and located in area of transition to corolla tube, main colour on outer side is dark blue pink to blue pink, secondary colour on outer side is white and distributed as streaks spreading outward from base
MARKINGS ON INNER SIDE OF COROLLA: very weakly conspicuous, purple, located on lower lobes
COROLLA TUBE: white on inner side

Origin & Breeding History: 'Pheni Magna' 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 '110-1' with red flowers, and the proprietary male parent line designated '112-1' with lavender flowers. 'Pheni Magna' 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 Magna' 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 Magna' with reference varieties 'Cathedral Hot Rose' and 'Garnet'

Leaf width (cm)

Flower diameter (cm)

Colour of upper lobes of corolla (RHS)

Colour of lower lobes of corolla (RHS)

Colour of inner side of corolla (RHS)

Colour of corolla tube (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Penstemon: 'Pheni Magna' (left) with reference varieties 'Cathedral Hot Rose' (centre) and 'Garnet' (right)