Opalescence

Phlox

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Party Girl' and 'Backlight'

Summary: The stem of ‘Opalescence' has a weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Party Girl' and ‘Backlight' is absent or very weak. The corolla lobe of ‘Opalescence' is light violet while that of ‘Party Girl' is light blue pink and that of ‘Backlight' is white. The corolla tube of ‘Opalescence' is medium violet while that of ‘Party Girl' is white to light violet and that of ‘Backlight' is white. The corolla eye of ‘Opalescence' is medium purple while that of ‘Party Girl' lighter medium purple and that of ‘Backlight' is white to light yellow.

Description:

STEM: medium thickness at middle third, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium length internode at middle third

LEAF: moderately elongated length to width ratio, broadest part at middle, flat in cross-section, acuminate to acute apex, no variegation, absent or weak anthocyanin colouration development on upper side later in season, absent or weak undulation of margin

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FLOWERING: mid to late season
INFLORESCENCE: medium to many flowers
PEDICEL: short, absent or weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
PERIANTH: present
CALYX: short, absent or weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA LOBE: medium length, medium width, obovate
COROLLA LOBE (INNER SIDE): light violet (RHS 75B), no secondary colour
COROLLA EYE: medium purple (RHS NN74A)
COROLLA TUBE: medium length, small diameter directly below lobes, medium violet (RHS N77D)
ANTHER: light yellow
STYLE: light green

Origin & Breeding History: 'Opalescence' originated from a cross between 'Rosalinda', as the female parent, and 'Dodo Hanbury Forbes', as the male parent, conducted in August of 2014, in Zeeland, Michigan, USA. The resulting seeds were collected and sown in the fall of 2014, in Zeeland, Michigan. The new variety was selected in the summer of 2016 based on flower type, plant habit, and disease resistance. 'Opalescence' was first asexually reproduced by shoot tip cuttings in the fall of 2016.

Tests & Trials: Trials for ‘Opalescence' were conducted during the summer of 2025 in Oxford Station, Ontario. Plants of each variety were grown outdoors in 22 cm pots under a galvanized steel structure covered with black mesh shade fabric. Plants were spaced approximately 45 cm apart. Observations and measurements were taken on 20 plants of each variety. Colours were determined using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Opalescence' with reference varieties 'Party Girl' and 'Backlight'

Colour of corolla tube (RHS)

Colour of corolla lobe (RHS)

Colour of corolla eye (RHS)

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Phlox: ‘Opalescence' (left) with reference varieties ‘Party Girl' (centre) and ‘Backlight' (right)

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Phlox: ‘Opalescence' (left) with reference varieties ‘Party Girl' (centre) and ‘Backlight' (right)