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Christine Matton

Azalea

Denomination: 'Christine Matton'
Botanical Name: Rhododendron simsii
Applicant/Holder: Hortibreed NV
Beerveldse Baan 4
B-9080
Lochristi
Belgium
Breeder: Etienne Floré, Hortibreed NV, Lochristi, Belgium
Agent in Canada: Variety Rights Management
475 County Road 18
R.R. #2
Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0
Canada
Tel: 613-258-9015
Application Date: 2000-12-22
Application Number: 00-2504
Grant of Rights Date: 2006-04-12
Certificate Number: 2425
Grant of Rights Termination Date: 2024-04-12

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Luntera'

Summary: 'Christine Matton' has a taller plant height than 'Luntera'. 'Christine Matton' has a strongly obovate mature leaf shape while 'Luntera' has an elliptic to slightly obovate leaf shape. 'Christine Matton' has darker green leaves that are glossier than the leaves of 'Luntera'. 'Christine Matton' has a smaller flower diameter and weaker undulation of the corolla lobe margin than 'Luntera'. 'Christine Matton' has lighter overall flower colour which is uniform while the flowers of 'Luntera' have a lighter margin. 'Christine Matton' has no markings on the flower throat while 'Luntera' has weak to medium markings present. 'The pistil is longer in comparison with the stamens for 'Christine Matton' while it is shorter that the stamens for 'Luntera'. 'Christine Matton' has a pink style while 'Luntera' has a greenish white style.

Description:

The young leaves of 'Christine Matton' are medium to dark green in colour. The mature leaves are a dark, glossy green on the upper side and light green on the lower side. The mature leaves are strongly obovate in shape with a rounded apex.

The inflorescence has a medium number of flowers. The flowers are an open funnel shape and double with a low number of petals. The upper side of the corolla lobe is light bluish pink in colour. The corolla lobe has weak undulation of the margin. The flower throat has no markings present. The flower throat is slightly darker in colour when compared with the upper side of the corolla lobe. There are no anthers present. The style is pink in colour and the pistil is longer in length in comparison with the stamens. There is a calyx present which is very small in size. The calyx is not in a corolla form. 'Christine Matton' flowers late and has absent or very weak fragrance.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Christine Matton' originated as a seedling produced by a hybrid cross in Belgium in 1989. It was selected for its shiny green leaf character, strong growth habit and attractive, long lasting flowers.

Tests & Trials: 'Christine Matton' was tested during the fall/winter of 2004 at P. Vander Dussen Greenhouses Ltd. in Milton, Ontario. The trials consisted of 15 plants per variety grown in 15 cm pots. Pots were spaced approximately .30 metres apart. All colour characteristics were determined using the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart (1995 green box edition) and measured characteristics were based on ten measurements.


Comparison tables for 'Christine Matton' with reference variety 'Luntera'

Plant height (cm)

  'Christine Matton' 'Luntera'
mean 17.9 12.7
std. deviation 0.57 1.16

Flower diameter (cm)

  'Christine Matton' 'Luntera'
mean 6.42 7.28
std. deviation 0.35 0.38

Colour of upper side of corolla lobe (RHS)

  'Christine Matton' 'Luntera'
margin 54D 62D
middle 54D 55A/B

Colour of lower side of corolla lobe (RHS)

  'Christine Matton' 'Luntera'
middle 54D 55B
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