SMNTHDPF

Yew

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'SMNTHDC' (Stonehenge)

Summary: The plants of 'SMNTHDPF' have dense foliage and a high density of branches while those of 'SMNTHDC' have a medium density of foliage and a medium density of branches. The first order branchlet of 'SMNTHDPF' is dense while it is of medium density for 'SMNTHDC'. The first order branchlet of 'SMNTHDPF' is shorter than that of 'SMNTHDC'. The second order branchlet is wider than that of 'SMNTHDC'. The leaf of 'SMNTHDPF' is longer than that of 'SMNTHDC'. The upper side of the leaf for 'SMNTHDPF' is medium green with a very small amount of yellow variegation present at the tip only, while it is dark green with no variegation present for 'SMNTHDC'. The lower side of the leaf of 'SMNTHDPF' has a weak prominence of the midrib whereas that of 'SMNTHDC' has a medium prominence of the midrib. The lower side of the leaf of 'SMNTHDPF' is light green while it is medium green to grey-green for 'SMNTHDC'.

Description:

PLANT: evergreen, columnar shape, slow growth rate, dense foliage

BRANCHES: high density, medium stiffness, erect growth habit, brown bark
BRANCHLET OF FIRST ORDER: dense, 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, variegation present
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): medium glossiness, medium prominence of midrib, medium green main colour, very small to small amount of yellow secondary colour at the tip only, one-year old summer leaf is dark green (closest to RHS 137A)
LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): weak prominence of midrib, glaucosity present on midrib and margin only, light green main colour, one-year old summer leaf is medium green (closest to RHS 143A)

Origin & Breeding History: 'SMNTHDPF' 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, 'SMNTHDPF' was selected in 2011 for its plant growth habit, foliage colour and container performance. 'SMNTHDPF' was first propagated by softwood cuttings in 2011 in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'SMNTHDPF' 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 'SMNTHDPF' with reference variety 'SMNTHDC'

Branchlet of first order length (cm)

Branchlet of second order width (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

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