Violet Profusion

Salvia

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Midnight Model' and 'Indiglo Girl'

Summary: The plants of 'Violet Profusion' are shorter than those of both reference varieties. The plants of 'Violet Profusion' are wider than those of 'Midnight Model' and narrower than those of 'Indiglo Girl'. The petiole of 'Violet Profusion' is shorter than that of both reference varieties. The leaf blade of 'Violet Profusion' is smaller than that of both reference varieties. The inflorescence of 'Violet Profusion' is shorter than that of 'Indiglo Girl'. The internodes on the inflorescence of 'Violet Profusion' are shorter than those of both reference varieties. The outer side of the corolla tube of 'Violet Profusion' is dark blue violet to medium blue violet whereas that of 'Midnight Model' is light blue violet.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to dense shoots

STEM: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

LEAF BLADE: simple type, medium length to width ratio, broadest part positioned moderately towards base, acute apex, cordate base, shallow margin incisions, medium degree of undulation of margin
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): medium green, no variegation, absent or very sparse pubescence, medium rugosity

INFLORESCENCE: medium number of florets per node, absent or very few lateral branches, erect attitude of tip
BRACT: medium to strong persistence, medium length, outer side medium brown purple (RHS 186A/B) to dark purple red (RHS 187B/C)
CALYX (OUTER SIDE): dark brown to dark purple red (RHS 187A/B), absent or very sparse pubescence
COROLLA TUBE (OUTER SIDE): dark blue violet to medium blue violet (RHS N88B/C)
COROLLA (UPPER LIP): outer side dark blue violet (RHS N88A), absent or very sparse pubescence
COROLLA (LOWER LIP): moderately downwards attitude relative to corolla tube, dark blue violet (RHS N88A/B), absent or weak undulation of margin

Origin & Breeding History: 'Violet Profusion' originated from a cross conducted by the breeder in May of 2013 at Walters Gardens Inc., in Zeeland, Michigan, USA. The cross was made between the female parent, an unreleased proprietary hybrid known by the breeder code 12-98-1 and the male parent, an unnamed sibling of 12-98-1. Initial selection of 'Violet Profusion' was made in the summer of 2015 based on plant habit, flower colour, flower habit and performance. Asexual propagation by basal cuttings was first conducted at Walters Gardens, Inc. in 2016.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Violet Profusion' was conducted during the summer of 2022 at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario. The trial consisted of 10 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties, each individually grown in 16 cm pots. Pots were spaced approximately 45 cm apart. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of 10 plants of each variety. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'Violet Profusion' with reference varieties 'Midnight Model' and 'Indiglo Girl'

Plant height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Petiole length (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence length (cm)

Inflorescence internode length (cm)

Colour of outer side of corolla tube (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Salvia: 'Violet Profusion' (left) with reference varieties 'Midnight Model' (centre) and 'Indiglo Girl' (right)