PJM Elite Star

Rhododendron

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'PJM Elite'

Summary: The flower bud of 'PJM Elite Star' is purple with lighter purple tones and blue pink at the base whereas the flower bud of 'PJM Elite' is violet with lighter blue pink and purple red at the base. The margin on the inner side of the corolla lobe is violet for 'PJM Elite Star' whereas the margin of the corolla lobe is lighter violet for 'PJM Elite'. The markings on the inner side of the corolla throat of 'PJM Elite Star' are purple whereas the markings of 'PJM Elite' are lighter purple.

Description:

PLANT: evergreen type, medium bushy growth habit, begins flowering very early

TERMINAL INFLORESCENCE BUD: broad elliptic and obovate in shape

YOUNG LEAF: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of upper side
MATURE LEAF: medium to dark green on upper side, light green on lower side, elliptic shape, straight at mid-point in crosswise view, medium glossiness of upper side
MATURE LEAF IN WINTER: reddish brown-black on upper side, red on lower side

INFLORESCENCE: medium number of flowers
PEDICEL: light green with light red at distal end on side exposed to sunlight
CALYX LOBE: very short
FLOWER BUD: purple (RHS 71A) with lighter purple (RHS 72A) tones and blue pink (RHS 71D to 68A) at base
FLOWER: funnel shape, single type, medium intensity of fragrance
COROLLA LOBE: weak to medium undulation of margin, margin on inner side is violet (closest to N78A), middle on inner side is violet (closest to RHS N78C) with darker violet (RHS N78B) tones, middle on outer side is violet (closest to RHS N78B)
MARKINGS ON INNER SIDE OF COROLLA THROAT: weak conspicuousness, spots not touching each other, purple (closest to RHS 71A)
ANTHER: blue pink (closest to RHS 73B)
PISTIL: same length as stamens, red stigma

Origin & Breeding History: 'PJM Elite Star' was discovered and developed by the breeder, Gurjit Sidhu, in Mission, British Columbia. It was discovered during the spring of 2012, as a whole plant mutation in a greenhouse production bed of the variety 'PJM Elite'. 'PJM Elite Star' was selected for its flower colour. Asexual reproduction of 'PJM Elite Star' was first conducted by tissue culture in April 2012 in Mission, British Columbia.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial of 'PJM Elite Star' was conducted in a polyhouse during the winter of 2014 and spring of 2015 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 8 plants of the candidate variety and 6 plants of the reference variety. All plants were grown in 4.4 litre containers. Observations and measurements were taken from 8 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of the candidate variety, and from 6 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of the reference variety on March 9, 2015 for the flower characteristics and on June 9, 2015 for all other characteristics. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'PJM Elite Star' with reference variety 'PJM Elite'

Colour of flower bud (RHS)

Colour of margin of corolla lobe (RHS)

Colour of markings (RHS)

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Rhododendron: 'PJM Elite Star' (left) with reference variety 'PJM Elite' (right)

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Rhododendron: 'PJM Elite Star' (left) with reference variety 'PJM Elite' (right)

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Rhododendron: 'PJM Elite Star' (left) with reference variety 'PJM Elite' (right)