Penharcar

Penstemon

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Pheni Magna' (Phoenix Magenta)

Summary: 'Penharcar' differs from the reference variety, 'Pheni Magna' mainly in anthocyanin colouration of the stem, leaf width, corolla colour and conspicuousness of markings on the inner side of the corolla. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the stem of 'Penharcar' is weak to medium whereas it is absent to very weak on 'Pheni Magna'. The leaves of 'Penharcar' are narrower than those of 'Pheni Magna'. The main colour of the corolla of 'Penharcar' is purple whereas it is purple to purple red on 'Pheni Magna'. 'Penharcar' has strong conspicuousness of markings on the inner side of the corolla tube whereas they are weak to medium on 'Pheni Magna'.

Description:

PLANT: upright to intermediate growth habit

STEM: sparse pubescence, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: opposite arrangement along stem, lanceolate, narrow acute tip, weakly dentate margins, medium green on upper side, weak glossiness on upper side, petiole absent

CALYX: sparse to medium pubescence, weak anthocyanin colouration
SEPAL: ovate, entire to weakly serrate margin

INFLORESCENCE: raceme type
FLOWER: located both in axillary and terminal positions, two per axil, bilabiate (upper lip with two upper petal lobes and lower lip with three lower petal lobes)
COROLLA LOBES: main colour on inner side is purple, secondary colour on inner side is white at transition to corolla tube
COROLLA TUBE: white, main colour on outer side is purple with white secondary colour at base of petal lobes fading towards base of corolla tube
MARKINGS ON INNER SIDE OF COROLLA: strong, purple

Origin & Breeding History: 'Penharcar' was developed through inbred breeding of the variety 'Gigant'. One cycle of half-sib selection between June 2002 through to October 2002 was conducted in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands. Seeds from the selection were sown in January 2003. A single seedling was selected based on criteria including compact growth habit, branching and time of flowering. Asexual reproduction by cutting was first conducted in August 2003 in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands.

Tests & Trials: The comparative test and trial of 'Penharcar' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring-summer of 2008 at Bioflora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 20 cm pots on May 15, 2008 . Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on July 18, 2008. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Penharcar' with reference variety 'Pheni Magna'

Leaf width (cm)

Colour of upper lobes of corolla (RHS)

Colour of lower lobes of corolla (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Penstemon: 'Penharcar' (left) with reference variety 'Pheni Magna' (right)