Backlight
| Denomination: | 'Backlight' |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Phlox |
| Applicant/Holder: |
Walters Gardens, Inc. 1992 96th Avenue P.O. Box 137 Zeeland, Michigan 49464-0137 United States of America |
| Breeder: |
Hans A. Hansen, Zeeland, United States of America |
| Agent in Canada: |
Variety Rights Management 475 County Road 18 R.R. #2 Oxford Station, Ontario K0G 1T0 Canada Tel: 613-258-9015 |
| Application Date: | 2022-04-27 |
| Provisional Protection: | 2022-04-27 |
| Application Number: | 22-10902 |
Variety Description
Varieties used for comparison: 'Opalescence' and 'Party Girl'
Summary: The plant of ‘Backlight' is shorter than that of ‘Party Girl' and ‘Opalescence'. The corolla lobe of ‘Backlight' is white while that of ‘Party Girl' is light blue pink and that of ‘Opalescence' is light violet. The corolla eye of ‘Backlight' is white to light yellow while that of ‘Party Girl' and ‘Opalescence' is medium purple.
Description:
STEM: medium thickness at middle third, absent or very weak 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): white (RHS NN155D), no secondary colour
COROLLA EYE: white to light yellow (RHS NN155D to 2D)
COROLLA TUBE: medium length, small diameter directly below lobes, white (RHS NN155D)
ANTHER: light yellow
STYLE: light green
Origin & Breeding History: 'Backlight' originated from a cross between 'Dick Weaver' and the proprietary hybrid ‘140SP-PHLO-320', conducted in July of 2016, in Zeeland, Michigan, USA. The resulting seeds were collected and sown in the summer of 2016, in Zeeland, Michigan. The new variety was selected in the summer of 2017 based on flower colour, plant habit, and disease resistance. 'Backlight' was first asexually reproduced by stem cuttings in 2017.
Tests & Trials: Trials for ‘Backlight' 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 'Backlight' with reference varieties 'Opalescence' and 'Party Girl'
Plant height (cm)
| 'Backlight' | 'Opalescence' | 'Party Girl' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mean | 38.1 | 51.9 | 48.5 |
| std. deviation | 1.46 | 1.43 | 1.12 |
Colour of corolla lobe (RHS)
| 'Backlight' | 'Opalescence' | 'Party Girl' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| main | NN155D | 69D | 75B |
Colour of corolla eye (RHS)
| 'Backlight' | 'Opalescence' | 'Party Girl' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| main | NN155D to 2D | 71D | NN74A |
Click on image for larger view
Phlox: Reference varieties ‘Opalescence' (left) and ‘Party Girl' (centre) with ‘Backlight' (right)
Click on image for larger view
Phlox: Reference varieties ‘Opalescence' (left) and ‘Party Girl' (centre) with ‘Backlight' (right)
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