Ballurvio

Pelargonium

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Americana Violet' and 'Patriot Bright Violet'

Summary: 'Ballurvio' is a pelargonium variety which has a weak to moderate zone on the leaf blade, whereas 'Americana Violet' has no leaf zone and 'Patriot Bright Violet' has an absent to very weak leaf zone. The florets of 'Ballurvio' are semi-double, whereas the florets of 'Americana Violet' are single. There are differences in flower colour between 'Ballurvio' and the reference varieties, and also a difference in the colour of the markings on the upper petal. The pedicel of 'Ballurvio' is dark red, compared with 'Americana Violet' and 'Patriot Bright Violet', which have green and light red pedicels.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, short to medium height, narrow width, few branches
STEM: green, thick, dense pubescence

LEAF BLADE: medium length, medium to broad width, open to closed base
LEAF MARGIN: crenate, weak lobing, shallow incisions, medium to strong waviness
UPPER SIDE OF BLADE: light to medium green, dense pubescence, no variegation
LEAF ZONE: weakly to moderately conspicuous, normal position, reddish brown
PETIOLE: short to medium length, dense pubescence

INFLORESCENCE: few to medium number per plant, violet group, small to medium diameter
PEDUNCLE: medium length, dense pubescence, moderate anthocyanin colouration
FLORET: semi-double, narrow elliptic bud, overlapping petals, entire petal margin
UPPER PETAL: purple red to purple, very weakly conspicuous striped markings, very small white basal zone
LOWER PETAL: purple red to purple, no markings, very small white basal zone
PEDICEL: short to medium length, dense pubescence, dark red in middle third, no swelling
SEPAL: dense pubescence, green with red streaks

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Ballurvio' originated from a cross conducted in September 2002 at Arroyo Grande, California, as part of a controlled breeding program. The female parent was the variety 'Fistangoli' (Tango Violet), characterised by its semi-double flower form, dark violet flower colour, dark green leaf colour and upright growth habit. The male parent was 'Baldesvio' (Designer Violet), characterised by its semi-double flower form, dark violet flower colour with distinct dark zone, medium green leaf colour and upright growth habit. The initial selection took place in February 5, 2004, and was based on flower colour, growth habit and plant height.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Ballurvio' were conducted in a polyhouse during the spring/summer of 2007 at St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings, planted into 15cm pots on May 8, 2007. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on July 11, 2007. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Ballurvio' with reference varieties 'Americana Violet' and 'Patriot Bright Violet'

Colour of upper petal (RHS)

Colour of lower petal (RHS)

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Pelargonium: 'Ballurvio' (left) with reference varieties 'Americana Violet' (centre) and 'Patriot Bright Violet' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Ballurvio' (left) with reference varieties 'Americana Violet' (centre) and 'Patriot Bright Violet' (right)

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Pelargonium: 'Ballurvio' (left) with reference varieties 'Americana Violet' (centre) and 'Patriot Bright Violet' (right)