Opening Act Ultrapink

Phlox

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Opening Act Blush'

Summary: The plants of 'Opening Act Ultrapink' are taller than those of 'Opening Act Blush'. The leaves and flowers of 'Opening Act Ultrapink' are larger than those of 'Opening Act Blush'. The inner side of the corolla lobes of 'Opening Act Ultrapink' are medium purple whereas those of 'Opening Act Blush' are light violet. The eye on the inner side of the corolla lobes of 'Opening Act Ultrapink' are light violet to light blue pink whereas those of 'Opening Act Blush' are dark blue pink. The outer side of the corolla tube of 'Opening Act Ultrapink' is medium violet whereas that of 'Opening Act Blush' is light violet.

Description:

STEM: medium thickness at middle third, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium to long internode at middle third

LEAF: moderately elongated to medium length to width ratio, broadest part towards base, flat in cross-section, acuminate to acute apex, no variegation, absent or weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side, absent or weak undulation of margin

FLOWERING: begins mid season
INFLORESCENCE: many flowers
PEDICEL: short to medium length, absent or weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
PERIANTH: present
CALYX: short, absent or weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA LOBE: medium to long, medium to broad, obovate shape
COROLLA LOBE (INNER SIDE): medium purple (between RHS NN78C and D), light violet to light blue pink (RHS 77D to 76D) eye
COROLLA TUBE: medium length, small diameter just below lobes, medium violet (RHS 72B) on outer side
ANTHER: light yellow
STYLE: light green

Origin & Breeding History: 'Opening Act Ultrapink' originated from a cross between the varieties 'Amethyst Pearl' and 'Lil'Cahaba' conducted at a research greenhouse in Zeeland, Michigan, USA on November 17, 2013. The new variety 'Opening Act Ultrapink' was selected in the fall of 2014 based on plant habit, flower type and disease resistance. Asexual reproduction was initiated at Walters Gardens Inc., in Zeeland, Michigan, USA in May of 2016.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Opening Act Ultrapink' was conducted outdoors during the summer of 2023 at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario. The trial included a total of 20 plants each of the candidate and reference variety. All plants were grown in 22 cm pots spaced 45 cm apart. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of plants, of each variety in July of 2023. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Opening Act Ultrapink' with reference variety 'Opening Act Blush'

Plant height (cm)

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Flower diameter (cm)

Colour of inner side of corolla lobe (RHS)

Colour of corolla tube (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Phlox: 'Opening Act Ultrapink' (left) with reference variety 'Opening Act Blush' (right)