PIIHA-I

Hydrangea

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'NCHA1' (Invincibelle Spirit)

Summary: The inflorescence of 'PIIHA-I' is taller than that of 'NCHA1'. The sterile flower of 'PIIHA-I' has five to six sepals while 'NCHA1' has four. The degree of overlapping of the sepals of the sterile flower is medium for 'PIIHA-1' while it is absent or very weak for those of 'NCHA1'. The main colour of the sterile flower sepals of 'PIIHA-I' is brown purple whereas it is purple red for 'NCHA1'. The secondary colour of the sterile flower sepals of 'PIIHA-I' is light yellow while it is white for 'NCHA1'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the pedicel is strong for 'PIIHA-I' while it is weak to medium for 'NCHA1'.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright growth habit, non-climbing type
STEM: no fasciation, green and brownish, red-brown lenticels in spring

LEAF BLADE: no lobing, ovate, medium to long tip, rounded base, medium depth of incisions, no variegation, medium green on upper side, absent or weak glossiness on upper side, weak blistering

INFLORESCENCE: globular, inconspicuous fertile flowers, begins flowering late
STERILE FLOWER: single type, 5-6 sepals, medium degree of overlapping of sepals, no incisions of margins on all sepals, brown purple (RHS 185C) on upper side, light yellow (close to RHS 4D) secondary colour at base on upper side
PEDICEL: strong anthocyanin colouration

Origin & Breeding History: 'PIIHA-I' originated from an open-pollinated cross of the Hydrangea arborescens seedling selection designated 'WF-03-03-01-07'. The open pollinated cross occurred in Watkinsville, Georgia, United States in June 2007 as part of a controlled breeding program aimed at creating a new pink mophead variety of Hydrangea arborescens.

'PIIHA-I' was selected in June 2008 in Watkinsville, Georgia, based on the following characteristics: a magenta to pink inflorescence, flowering period, foliage colour and growth habit. In 2008, 'PIIHA-I' was first propagated by softwood cuttings in Watkinsville, Georgia.

Tests & Trials: The PBR trials for 'PIIHA-I' were conducted in an outdoor container trial during the summer of 2012 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 10 shrubs each of the candidate and reference varieties. All shrubs were grown from rooted cuttings and planted into 13.5 litre containers in 2011. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on August 15, 2012. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'PIIHA-I' with reference variety 'NCHA1'

Inflorescence height (cm)

Colour of sterile flower sepal (RHS)

Sepals per sterile flower

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Hydrangea: 'PIIHA-I' (left) with reference variety 'NCHA1' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'PIIHA-I' (left) with reference variety 'NCHA1' (right)

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Hydrangea: 'PIIHA-I' (left) with reference variety 'NCHA1' (right)