Verwof 1

Weigela

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Bokrasopin' (Sonic Bloom Pink)

Summary: In early spring, the anthocyanin colouration on the shoot of 'Verwof 1' is of medium intensity whereas the anthocyanin colouration is strong on the shoot of 'Bokrasopin'. The leaf blade of 'Verwof 1' is shorter and narrower than the leaf blade of 'Bokrasopin'. The corolla of 'Verwof 1' is funnel shaped and smaller in diameter than that of 'Bokrasopin', which is campanulate shaped. The inner side of the corolla of 'Verwof 1' is purple red and purple whereas that of 'Bokrasopin' is a darker purple with purple red tones.

Description:

PLANT: medium vigour, semi-erect growth habit

ONE-YEAR-OLD-SHOOT: light brown
SHOOT: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration in early spring

LEAF BLADE: elliptic to obovate shaped, many incisions on margin, absent or very weak to weak undulation of margin when newly opened, absent or very weak undulation of margin when fully opened
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): medium intensity of green (darker than RHS 146A) when newly opened in spring, medium to strong anthocyanin on newly opened leaves, medium intensity of anthocyanin along margins on fully opened leaves, no variegation, medium to strong degree of blistering
LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): sparse to medium density of pubescence along midrib and secondary veins

INFLORESCENCE: simple panicle
FLOWER BUD: dark red (RHS 53B)
COROLLA: single-coloured, funnel-shaped
COROLLA LOBE: inner side is purple red (RHS 63A) and purple (RHS 58A) fading to purple red (RHS N57D) with age, pointed to rounded apex
COROLLA TUBE: outer side is purple (RHS 59C) with dark purple red (RHS 60A) towards the base
SEPAL: absent or very sparse to sparse pubescence, red
OVARY: absent or very sparse pubescence
PISTIL: same length as corolla
TIME OF FLOWERING: first full flowering occurs early in the season, long duration of first flowering, second flowering occurs in autumn

Origin & Breeding History: 'Verwof 1' originated from an open pollinated cross conducted by the breeder, Gijsbertus Verhoef, in Hazerswoude, the Netherlands in late spring 2012. The cross was made between the female parent Weigela florida variety 'Wings of Fire', and an unknown male parent. From the resulting progeny, 'Verwof 1' was selected as a single plant in the summer of 2013 based on its compact plant growth habit, flower colour, summer and autumn foliage colours and winter hardiness. 'Verwof 1' was first asexually propagated by softwood cuttings in the summer of 2013 in Hazerswoude, the Netherlands.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Verwof 1' was conducted outdoors during the spring and summer of 2020 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 12 plants of the candidate variety and reference variety. All plants were grown from 6 cm rooted liners that were each planted into a 7.5 litre container on August 6, 2019. The plants were overwintered in a polyhouse and moved outdoors in late May of 2020 to a drip irrigated field where they were arranged in rows with approximately 1 metre spacing between plants. Observations and measurements were from 10 plants or parts of plants of each variety on May 8, 2020. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Verwof 1' with reference variety 'Bokrasopin'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Corolla diameter (cm)

Colour of corolla (RHS)

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Weigela: 'Verwof 1' (left) with reference variety 'Bokrasopin' (right)

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Weigela: 'Verwof 1' (left) with reference variety 'Bokrasopin' (right)

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Weigela: 'Verwof 1' (left) with reference variety 'Bokrasopin' (right)