USPLX50302

Phlox

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'USPHLOTM6' (Intensia White) and 'Sunphloho' (Astoria White)

Summary: The corolla of 'USPLX50302' is star shaped while the corolla of the reference varieties is round. The corolla lobe of 'USPLX50302' is narrower than the corolla lobes of the reference varieties and is obdeltate in shape while the reference varieties are obovate in shape. The fringe on the petal margin is strong for 'USPLX50302' while it is medium for 'USPHLOTM6' and very weak for 'Sunphloho'. The petals of 'USPLX50302' are touching while the petals of 'Sunphloho' are overlapping.

Description:

PLANT: upright bushy growth habit
STEM: thin at middle third, no anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: lanceolate shape, concave in cross section, acute apex, no variegation, no anthocyanin colouration, no margin undulation, glandular stickiness present, sparse pubescence on upper and lower side, upper side light to medium green

INFLORESCENCE: dome shape, no anthocyanin colouration in pedicel and calyx, early time of flowering
COROLLA: star shape, single, white colour group
PETAL: obdeltate, apex broad acute, strong fringe on margin, petals touching, one-coloured, white (RHS NN155C) on upper and lower side.

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'USPLX50302' originated from a controlled cross conducted in Higashiomi, Shiga, Japan on June 12, 2005. The cross was between the female seed parent Phlox glabrifora (white form) and the male parent, a white flowered seedling. The new variety was selected as a single plant from the resultant progeny on July 6, 2006 in Bonsall, California, USA. The variety was selected based on compact growth habit, good plant vigour throughout the summer and good resistance to powdery mildew. Propagation by vegetative cuttings was first conducted on July 10, 2006 in Bonsall, California, USA.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'USPLX50302' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2010 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of fifteen plants of the candidate and reference varieties. Rooted cuttings were transplanted into 15 cm pots on April 29, 2010. Observations and measurements were taken from ten plants or parts of plants on June 16, 2010. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'USPLX50302' with reference varieties 'USPHLOTM6' and 'Sunphloho'

Width of corolla lobe (cm)

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Phlox: 'USPLX50302' (left) with reference varieties 'USPHLOTM6' (right) and 'Sunphloho' (centre)

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Phlox: 'USPLX50302' (left) with reference varieties 'USPHLOTM6' (centre) and 'Sunphloho' (right)