Balsalmisp

Salvia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Indigo Spires'

Summary: 'Balsalmisp' has a narrower more upright growth habit than 'Indigo Spires'. 'Balsalmisp' has a shorter plant height and internode length than 'Indigo Spires'. The leaf of 'Balsalmisp' is slightly smaller than 'Indigo Spires'. 'Balsalmisp' has weaker of anthocyanin colouration on the petiole than 'Indigo Spires'.

Description:

PLANT: narrow upright growth habit, medium to dense foliage, weak anthocyanin colouration of the shoot, dense to very dense pubescence on the shoot

LEAF: opposite arrangement, ovate, acute apex, cuneate base, serrate margin, very light green to light green, very weak of anthocyanin colouration on the petiole, medium pubescence on the upper side, medium pubescence on the veins of the lower side, weak to medium rugosity

INFLORESCENCE: raceme, whorled arrangements of the flowers
FLOWER: upright to outward attitude, bilabiate shape, small amount of dark purple anthocyanin present on the calyx,
upper lip blue violet (RHS N88A), lower lip blue violet (RHS N88C)

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balsalmisp' is an irradiation induced mutation of salvia 'Indigo Spires' made on May 20, 2003. Initial selection was made on August 1, 2003 for compact and short growth habit.

Tests & Trials: Test and trials were conducted during the summer of 2006, in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of the candidate and reference variety each individually grown in 15cm pots in a polyhouse. Observations and measurements were taken on 10 plants of each. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'Balsalmisp' with reference variety 'Indigo Spires'

Plant height (cm)

Internode length (cm)

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Salvia: 'Balsalmisp' (left) with reference variety 'Indigo Spires' (right)