SMNTHDC

Yew

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Viridis'

Summary: The plants of 'SMNTHDC' are taller and wider than those of 'Viridis'. The plants of 'SMNTHDC' have a medium density of branches while those of 'Viridis' have a high density of branches. The first order branchlet of 'SMNTHDC' is longer than that of 'Viridis'. The second order branchlet is shorter and narrower than that of 'Viridis'. The leaf of 'SMNTHDC' is longer than that of 'Viridis'. The upper side of the leaf of 'SMNTHDC' has a medium degree of glossiness while that of 'Viridis' has strong glossiness. The lower side of the leaf of 'SMNTHDC' has a medium prominence of the midrib whereas that of 'Viridis' has a weak prominence of the midrib. The upper side of the leaf for 'SMNTHDC' is dark green with no variegation, while it is medium green with yellow variegation present at the tip of the margin only for 'Viridis'. The lower side of the leaf of 'SMNTHDC' is medium green to grey-green while it is light green for 'Viridis'.

Description:

PLANT: evergreen, columnar shape, slow growth rate, medium density foliage

BRANCHES: medium density, medium stiffness, erect growth habit, brown bark
BRANCHLET OF FIRST ORDER: medium density, erect growth habit, non-planar arrangement of spray
BRANCHLET OF SECOND ORDER: light green, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration

PETIOLE: short
LEAF: radially arranged around axis of branchlet, weak fragrance, open
LEAF BLADE: linear shape, acuminate apex, cuneate base, entire margin, flat margin fold, no variegation
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): medium glossiness, weak prominence of midrib, dark green main colour, no secondary colour, one-year old summer leaf is dark green (RHS 139A)
LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): medium prominence of midrib, glaucosity present, medium green to grey-green main colour, one-year old summer leaf is medium green (closest to RHS 143A) with light green (RHS 143D) near the centre

Origin & Breeding History: 'SMNTHDC' originated from an open pollinated cross conducted in 2006 in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA between the Taxus x media variety designated 'Hicksii' as the female parent, and pollen from an unknown male parent. From the resulting progeny, 'SMNTHDC' was selected in 2011 for its plant growth habit, plant vigour, foliage colour and container performance. 'SMNTHDC' was first propagated by softwood cuttings in 2011 in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'SMNTHDC' was conducted in an outdoor irrigated container trial during the spring of 2022 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 10 plants each of the candidate and reference variety. All plants were transplanted into 3.8 liter pots in the summer of 2021. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety on July 19, 2022. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'SMNTHDC' with reference variety 'Viridis'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Branchlet of first order length (cm)

Branchlet of second order length (cm)

Branchlet of second order width (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Yew: 'SMNTHDC' (left) with reference variety 'Viridis' (right)