Penharvio

Penstemon

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Pheni Vio' (Phoenix Violet) and 'Peni Laver' (Phoenix Lavender)

Summary: 'Penharvio' differs from the reference varieties, 'Pheni Viol' and 'Peni Laver' mainly in corolla diameter, corolla colour, conspicuousness of the markings on the inner side of the corolla tube and the main colour of the outer side of the corolla tube. The diameter of the corolla of 'Penharvio' is larger than that of both reference varieties. The upper and lower lips of the corolla of 'Penharvio' are more blue violet than those of both reference varieties which have more red tones. 'Penharvio' has no markings on the inner side of the corolla tube whereas they are weak on 'Pheni Vio'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit

STEM: very sparse pubescence, absent to very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: opposite arrangement along stem, lanceolate, narrow acute tip, entire to weakly dentate margins, medium green on upper side, weak glossiness on upper side, petiole absent

CALYX: very sparse pubescence, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
SEPAL: ovate, entire margin

INFLORESCENCE: raceme type
FLOWER: located both in axillary and terminal positions, three per axil, bilabiate (upper lip with two upper petal lobes and lower lip with three lower petal lobes)
COROLLA LOBES: main colour on inner side is violet with white secondary colour on inner side at transition to corolla tube
COROLLA TUBE: white to light blue violet on inner side, main colour on outer side is white with violet secondary colour on outer side located at the base of all petal lobes
MARKINGS ON INNER SIDE OF COROLLA: absent

Origin & Breeding History: 'Penharvio' was developed through inbred breeding of the variety 'Gigant'. One cycle of half-sib selection was conducted from June 2002 through to October 2002 in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands. Seeds from the selection were sown in January 2003 and a single seedling was selected in July 2003. Selection criteria included compact growth habit, branching and time of flowering. Asexual reproduction by cutting was first conducted in August 2003 in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands.

Tests & Trials: The comparative test and trial of 'Penharvio' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring-summer of 2008 at Bioflora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 20 cm pots on May 15, 2008. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on July 18, 2008. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Penharvio' with reference varieties 'Pheni Vio' and 'Peni Laver'

Corolla diameter (cm)

Colour of upper lobes of corolla (RHS)

Colour of lower lobes of corolla (RHS)

Colour of outer side of corolla tube (RHS)

Colour of inner side of corolla tube (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Penstemon: 'Penharvio' (left) with reference varieties 'Pheni Vio' (centre) and 'Peni Laver' (right)