SAXZ0009

Saxifrage

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Rockrose' (Alpino Neon Rose) and 'SAXZ0010' (Alpino Early Picotee)

Summary: When measured to top of open flowers, the plants of 'SAXZ0009' are shorter than the plants of 'Rockrose'. The plants of 'SAXZ0009' have denser foliage than the plants of 'Rockrose'. The density of flowers on the plants of 'SAXZ0009' is very dense while it is of medium density for 'Rockrose' and dense for 'SAXZ0010'. The leaf blade of 'SAXZ0009' is longer than the leaf blade of 'Rockrose'. The leaf blade of 'SAXZ0009' has no anthocyanin colouration whereas the leaf blade of 'SAXZ0010' has medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration along the margin and at the apical tip. The flowering stem of 'SAXZ0009' is light green whereas the flowering stem of 'SAXZ0010' is medium green. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the flowering stem at the distal end towards the flower is of medium intensity for 'SAXZ0009' whereas it is weak and of medium intensity more distally for 'Rockrose', and strong to very strong for 'SAXZ0010'. The flower of 'SAXZ0009' has a larger diameter and shorter pedicel than the flower of either reference variety. When the flower is newly open, the colour on the inner side of the corolla of 'SAXZ0009' is light blue pink with dark purple red veins and white at the base of the petals whereas the corolla of 'Rockrose' is dark purple red, and the corolla of 'SAXZ0010' is dark purple red with greenish veins and white at the base of the petals. When the flower is intermediate between newly open and mature, the colour on the inner side of the corolla of 'SAXZ0009' is light blue pink with dark purple red veins and white at the base of the petals whereas the corolla of 'Rockrose' is purple, and the corolla of 'SAXZ0010' is purple to purple red with greenish veins and white at the base of the petals. When the flower is mature, the colour on the inner side of the corolla of 'SAXZ0009' is blue pink with white at the base of the petals whereas the corolla of 'Rockrose' is purple, and the corolla of 'SAXZ0010' is purple red with white at the base of the petals. 'SAXZ0009' has a longer petal than 'Rockrose'. Before dehiscence, the colour of the anther is reddish for 'SAXZ0009' while the anther of SAXZ0010' is yellow. Before anther dehiscence, the colour of the style of 'SAXZ0009' is dark red pink whereas the style of 'Rockrose' is whitish green, and the style of 'SAXZ0010' is yellow with an occasional, light reddish tone at the distal end.

Description:

PLANT: erect growth habit, dense foliage, very dense flowers

LEAF BLADE: alternate arrangement, simple type, obovate shape, lobed margin, medium to dark green on upper side, no anthocyanin colouration
PETIOLE: present

FLOWERING STEM: light green, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration at distal end towards flower
INFLORESCENCE: cymose panicle type
FLOWER: when newly open, inner side is light blue pink (RHS 64B-C) with dark purple red (RHS 53A) veins and white (RHS NN155B) at base of petals; when intermediate between newly open and mature, inner side is light blue pink (lighter than RHS 64C) with dark purple red (RHS 60B) veins and white (RHS NN155B) at base of petals; when mature, inner side is blue pink (duller than and closest to RHS N66D) with white (RHS NN155B) at base of petals
PETAL: ranging from five to six per flower, orbicular shape, rounded apex, medium reflexing along longitudinal axis of margin
STAMEN: anther is reddish before dehiscence, anther is yellow after dehiscence, filament is light yellow green
STYLE: dark red pink before anther dehiscence

Origin & Breeding History: 'SAXZ0009' was developed as part of a controlled breeding program by the breeder, Henricus Godefridus Wilhelmus Stemkens, in Enkhuizen, Netherlands. It originated from a cross conducted in April 2007 between proprietary lines 'J1460-1' as the female parent and 'H1048-52' as the male parent. The resultant seed was sown in a greenhouse in August 2007. In March 2008, a single plant from the progeny was selected for its flower colour and plant growth habit and later named 'SAXZ0009'.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial of 'SAXZ0009' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2014 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 20 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 11.4 cm pots on August 15, 2013. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of the candidate and reference variety 'SAXZ0010' on February 14, 2014, and from 10 plants or parts of plants of the reference variety 'Rockrose' on February 28, 2014. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'SAXZ0009' with reference varieties 'Rockrose' and 'SAXZ0010'

Plant height to top of open flowers (cm)

Leaf blade length (mm)

Flower diameter (mm)

Colour of new flower (RHS)

Colour of intermediate flower (between new and mature flowers) (RHS)

Colour of mature flower (RHS)

Pedicel length (cm)

Petal length (mm)

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Saxifrage: 'SAXZ0009' (right) with reference varieties 'Rockrose' (centre) and 'SAXZ0010' (left)

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Saxifrage: 'SAXZ0009' (right) with reference varieties 'Rockrose' (centre) and 'SAXZ0010' (left)

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Saxifrage: 'SAXZ0009' (right) with reference varieties 'Rockrose' (centre) and 'SAXZ0010' (left)