Balazlipi

Verbena

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Balazpico' (Aztec Lilac Picotee)

Summary: The plants of 'Balazlipi' are narrower and more upright than those of 'Balazpico'. When fully open, the upper side of the corolla of 'Balazlipi' is light blue pink with darker blue pink at the apex of the corolla lobes while for 'Balazpico', it is violet with darker violet at the apex of the corolla lobes.

Description:

PLANT: upright to semi-upright growth habit, tall, narrow to medium width
STEM: light green, very weak to weak anthocyanin colouration on middle third, dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: long, medium to broad, ovate, cuneate base, not divided, crenate margin, medium green on upper side, no anthocyanin colouration on upper side
PETIOLE: short

INFLORESCENCE: large to very large diameter, broad ovate in profile
CALYX: no anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium to large diameter, two coloured, shaded colour pattern, lighter colour towards the base of corolla lobes, upon opening it is blue pink with purple red at apex of corolla lobes on upper side, when fully open it is light blue pink with darker blue pink at apex of corolla lobes on upper side, strong fading of colour with age, light blue pink fading to white towards base of corolla lobes on lower side
COROLLA LOBES: touching, incurved along longitudinal axis, medium to strong undulation of margin
COROLLA TUBE: medium to long, tip of protruding hairs is white
COROLLA EYE: present on all corolla lobes, large diameter, white

Origin & Breeding History: 'Balazlipi' originated from a cross conducted during January 2004 in Arroyo Grande, California, USA, as part of a controlled breeding program. The female parent was variety 'Balazdapi' (Aztec Dark Purple Improved), characterized by its dark lavender purple flowers, medium green leaves and loosely branched growth habit. The male parent was the proprietary Verbena breeding selection designated '1671-1', characterized by its pure whiter flowers, dark green leaves and semi-trailing, well branched growth habit. 'Balazlipi' was intially selected on July 13, 2004 based on its non-fading, light pink flowers and mounded growth habit, characteristics which matched those of varieties from the Aztec series.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Balazlipi' were conducted in a poly-house during the spring of 2007 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of fifteen (15) plants per variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 11.5 cm pots on May 4, 2007. Measured characteristics were based on measurements taken from ten (10) plants or parts of plants on June 20, 2007. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Balazlipi' with reference variety 'Balazpico'

Plant width (cm)

Colour of corolla (RHS)

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Verbena: 'Balazlipi' (left) with reference variety 'Balazpico' (right)

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Verbena: 'Balazlipi' (left) with reference variety 'Balazpico' (right)