SMNWFRP

Weigela

Variety Description

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

Summary: The plants of 'SMNWFRP' are narrower than the plants of 'Bokrasopin'. In early spring, the anthocyanin colouration on the shoot of 'SMNWFRP' is of weak to medium intensity whereas the anthocyanin colouration is strong on the shoot of 'Bokrasopin'. The corolla of 'SMNWFRP' is smaller in diameter than that of 'Bokrasopin'. The inner side of the corolla of 'SMNWFRP' is blue pink whereas the inner side of the corolla of 'Bokrasopin' is purple with purple red tones. The outer side of the corolla tube of 'SMNWFRP' is purple whereas the outer side of the corolla tube of 'Bokrasopin' is dark purple red. The shape of the apex of the corolla lobe is pointed for 'SMNWFRP' whereas the apex of the corolla lobe is rounded for 'Bokrasopin'. The corolla tube of 'SMNWFRP' is longer than the corolla tube of 'Bokrasopin'.

Description:

PLANT: strong vigour, erect growth habit

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

LEAF BLADE: elliptic and obovate shape, many incisions on margin, weak undulation when newly opened, absent or very weak undulation when fully opened, no variegation, weak to medium degree of blistering
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): medium intensity of green colour, darker than brown green (RHS 146A) when newly opened in spring, green main colour in summer, weak to medium glossiness
LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): medium to dense pubescence along midrib, sparse to medium pubescence along secondary veins

INFLORESCENCE: simple and compound panicle types
SEPAL: sparse pubescence, red
COROLLA: one coloured, campanulate shape
COROLLA LOBE: inner side is blue pink (closest to RHS N66D), pointed apex
COROLLA TUBE: outer side is purple (RHS 58A)
PISTIL: longer than corolla
OVARY: sparse pubescence
TIME OF FLOWERING: first full flowering occurs early in the season, medium duration of first flowering, second flowering occurs in autumn

Origin & Breeding History: 'SMNWFRP' was bred and developed by the breeder, Timothy D. Wood, an employee of Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc., in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA. It originated from a mutation induced by x-ray radiation of the parent 'Red Prince' in 2008, in Grand Haven, Michigan. The new variety was selected in June of 2011 for its flower colour, number of flowers, foliage colour and reblooming performance. 'SMNWFRP' was first propagated asexually by softwood cuttings in June of 2011, in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'SMNWFRP' was conducted as an outdoor trial during the spring and summer of 2020 at BioFlora Inc., in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 12 plants each of the candidate and reference variety. The plants were grown from 10 cm long rooted liners and planted into 7.5 litre containers 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. The observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or 10 parts of plants of each variety on April 24, 2020. The colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'SMNWFRP' with reference variety 'Bokrasopin'

Plant width (cm)

Corolla diameter (cm)

Colour of corolla (RHS)

Colour of corolla tube (RHS)

Corolla tube length (cm)

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Weigela: 'SMNWFRP' (left) with reference variety 'Bokrasopin' (right)

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Weigela: 'SMNWFRP' (left) with reference variety 'Bokrasopin' (right)

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Weigela: 'SMNWFRP' (left) with reference variety 'Bokrasopin' (right)