SMNAMDS

Abelia

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Abelia mosanensis'

Summary: The stems of 'SMNAMDS' are thin to medium in thickness whereas the stems of Abelia mosanensis are medium to thick. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the inner side of the calyx is strong for 'SMNAMDS' whereas the intensity is medium for Abelia mosanensis. In cross-section, the profile of the flower of 'SMNAMDS' is moderately convex whereas the profile of the flower of Abelia mosanensis is weakly convex. The inner side of the flower of 'SMNAMDS' has blue pink to light blue pink secondary colour whereas the flower of Abelia mosanensis has no secondary colour, but a light pink blush.

Description:

PLANT: shrub type, globose shape, bushy growth habit, medium density of branches, medium growth rate

BUD: not observed
CURRENT SEASON SHOOT: red
STEM: grey, thin to medium thickness, sparse to medium density of pubescence, round in cross-section, smooth texture of bark, absent or very weak glaucosity, no lenticels, no thorns or spines

PETIOLE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
LEAF: simple type, opposite arrangement along stem
LEAF BLADE: elliptic shape, acuminate apex, cuneate base, entire margin, no lobing, no variegation, absent or very weak rugosity
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): absent or very sparse pubescence, sparse to medium density of pubescence on midrib, medium green in spring, dark green in late summer
LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): absent or very sparse pubsecence, very sparse pubescence on midrib, light green, no anthocyanin colouration of veins

INFLORESCENCE: cyme type, short, strong fragrance
CALYX: intensity of anthocyanin colouration of inner side is strong
COROLLA: salverform shape, moderately convex profile in cross-section
COROLLA (UPPER SIDE): white (RHS NN155C-D) main colour, blue pink (RHS 63C) to light blue pink (RHS 62B) secondary colour
COROLLA (LOWER SIDE): white (RHS NN155C-D) main colour, purple red (RHS 58D and lighter) secondary colour

FRUIT: not observed

Origin & Breeding History: 'SMNAMDS' 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 an open pollinated cross conducted in May 2008, in Grand Haven, Michigan, between an unnamed F2 seedling, as the female parent, and an unnamed selection of Abelia mosanensis, as the male parent. From the resulting progeny, 'SMNAMDS' was selected in May 2012 for its flower bud colour, flower fragrance, and production qualities. 'SMNAMDS' was first propagated asexually by softwood cuttings in May 2012, in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'SMNAMDS' was conducted as an outdoor irrigated container trial during the spring and summer of 2017 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. It included a total of 12 shrubs each of the candidate and reference variety. All shrubs were grown from 11.5 cm long liners, that were planted into 9 litre containers on July 17, 2016. The shrubs were overwintered in a polyhouse. The observations and measurements were taken from 10 shrubs or parts of 10 shrubs of each variety on July 27, 2017, with the exception of the flower observations which were recorded on March 20, 2017. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'SMNAMDS' with reference variety 'Abelia mosanensis'

Colour of inner side of corolla (RHS)

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Abelia: 'SMNAMDS' (left) with reference variety 'Abelia mosanensis' (right)

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Abelia: 'SMNAMDS' (left) with reference variety 'Abelia mosanensis' (right)

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Abelia: 'SMNAMDS' (left) with reference variety 'Abelia mosanensis' (right)