Blackfield

Bistort

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Firetail'

Summary: 'Blackfield' has dark purple red flower colour while 'Firetail' has red flower colour.

Description:

PLANT: upright to spreading growth habit, medium degree of branching
STEM: medium green, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration, absent or very weak glaucosity, absent or very sparse pubescence

LEAF: alternate arrangement, simple, ovate, acute apex, cordate base, irregular serrate margin, margin slightly wavy
UPPER SIDE: sparse pubescence, medium to dark green, no variegation
LOWER SIDE: very sparse pubescence, medium green
PETIOLE: short, absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration

FLOWERING: almost continuous, mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: raceme, dense, terminal in position, erect attitude
FLORET: dark purple red (RHS 53B to 60A), small

Origin & Breeding History: 'Blackfield' originated from a cross between two unnamed bistort selections, made in 2001 in Oedelem, Belgium. The objective of the breeding program was to create new bistort varieties with improved floral colours and foliage traits.

Tests & Trials: Trials were conducted during the summer of 2009 in Oxford Station, Ontario. Fifteen plants of each variety were grown in 15 cm pots in a polyhouse. Plants were spaced approximately 60 cm apart. Observations and measurements were taken on 10 plants of each variety. Colours were determined using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Blackfield' with reference variety 'Firetail'

Colour of floret (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Bistort: 'Blackfield' (left) with reference variety 'Firetail' (right)