Antong Two

Rose of Sharon

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Red Heart'

Summary: The leaf blades of 'Antong Two' have dentate and crenate margins while those of 'Red Heart' have serrate margins. 'Antong Two' has longer petioles than 'Red Heart'. The petals of 'Antong Two' have a medium to large basal spot while those of 'Red Heart' have a small basal spot.

Description:

PLANT: sparse branching, semi-upright attitude of branches
STEM: brown, medium anthocyanin colouration, medium thickness of primary branch, thin secondary branches, dense pubescence

LEAF: alternate arrangement along stem, medium degree of lobing
LEAF BLADE: light green on upper side, no variegation, very sparse pubescence, elliptic to ovate shape, cuneate to rounded base, acute apex
LEAF BLADE MARGIN: medium undulation, dentate and crenate, medium depth of incisions

FLOWER: single type, not persistent, one coloured, white colour group, weak overlapping of petals
PETAL: fan shape, white on upper side, medium undulation of margin
PETAL BASAL SPOT: purple with dark purple red tones, medium to large
STIGMA: yellow green
STYLE: white

Origin & Breeding History: 'Antong Two' originated from a naturally occurring branch mutation of a Hibiscus syriacus seedling. The new variety was discovered and selected by the breeder Dr. Shim Kyong-ku in 1995, in Andong Province, South Korea. It was selected based on flower colour, flower size, foliage colour and dwarf growth habit. The variety was first propagated by softwood cuttings and grafting in 1996, in Seoul, South Korea.

Tests & Trials: Trials were conducted as a container trial during the summer of 2007 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants of the candidate variety and 8 plants of the reference variety. All plants were grown in 7.5 litre containers during the summer of 2007. Observations and measurements were taken from 2 year old plants, 10 plants or 10 parts of plants of each variety on July 31, 2007. All colour determinations were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'Antong Two' with reference variety 'Red Heart'

Petiole length (cm)

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Rose of Sharon: 'Antong Two' (left) with reference variety 'Red Heart' (right)

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Rose of Sharon: 'Antong Two' (left) with reference variety 'Red Heart' (right)