The Daphnis Hybrids

The BC2-Backcrosses

With further backcrossing the genetic share of Moutan genetic qualities increased, so that soon crossings in both directions became possible with pure Moutan. From 1959 to 1968 plants with approximately 75 % Moutan share were cultivated. Now at last it had become possible to combine the beauty of the Moutan with the vitality and the strong yellow and red tints of Paeonia lutea and Paeonia delavayi. In order to get a BC2 the breeder gives pollen of a pure Moutan on the stygma of a BC1 cross.

From these backcrosses originated the following varieties:

'Antigone'

'Antigone' blooms with golden yellow single flowers. The color is like pure gold. The petals look so precious and fragile like something to look at but not to touch. Stamens, good substance, reliable, pollen, no seeds and no fragrance. One bud per stem. Good stem strength, grows 120 cm - 150 cm in height, blooms late May. Light green foliage, good vigor. Antigone was the daughter of Oedipus. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Parents	unnamed BC1 x 'Red Rascal' (Moutan)
Number of seedling	D-508
Crossing	BC2
Year of crossing	1982
Germination	1983
First Blooming	1992
Registration	1995
First grafted	1995
Will be on the market in	2000

'Clytie'

'Clytie' has single pure white flowers with dark red flares in the center. Clytie, a water nymph, had fallen in love with Apollo, the sun. She is always looking to the sky for her lover. Good substance, stamens, pollen, no seeds, fragrant, reliable. One bud per stem. Good stem strength, height 100 cm - 150 cm, blooms late May, dark green foliage. 'Clytie' is a vigorous plant. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

An other more coloured picture of Paeonia 'Clytie' Photo: Nassos Daphnis

As for Clytië, she could have been forgiven for her indignation, since it was due to love, and indignation might have excused her talebearing. However, the lord of light did not go near her any more - his affection for her was at an end. From that day she wasted away, for she had been quite mad with love. She had no use for the company of the nymphs, but sat upon bare ground, night and day, under the open sky, her head uncovered , and her hair all disarrayed. For nine days she tasted neither food nor drink, but fed her hunger only on dew and tears. She never stirred from the ground: all she did was to gaze on the face of the sungod, as he journeyed on, and turn her own face to follow him. Ovid, Metamorphosis 4, 256 - 265

Parents	unnamed BC1 x 'Red Rascal' (Moutan)
Number of seedling	D-343
Crossing	BC2
Year of crossing	1965
Germination	1966
First Blooming	1975
Registration	1995
First grafted	1995
Will be on the market in	2000

'Prometheus'

'Prometheus' flowers in a dynamic flame-like red. The semi-double flower is formed by frilled, notched and dotted petals which grow out of the center like flames. The bud is very big and it opens with dramatic force. The flower is the biggest of any of the hybrids: 20 cm - 25 cm. Prometheus was the Titan who stole fire for mankind. Strain: 3/4 Moutan, 1/4 Lutea.. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

It was at this point that man was born: either the Creator, who was responsible for this better world, made him from divine seed, or else Prometheus, son of Iapetus, took the new-made earth which, only recently separated from the lofty aether, still retained some elements related to those of heaven and, mixing it with rainwater, fashioned it into the image of the all-governing gods. Whereas other animals hang their heads and look at the ground, he made man stand erect, bidding him look up to heaven, and lift his head to the stars. Ovid, Metamorphosis 1, 78 - 86

Parents	unnamed BC1 x 'Daioh' (Moutan)
Number of seedling	D-359
Crossing	BC2
Year of crossing	1966
Germination	1967
First Blooming	1976
Registration	1980
First grafted	1982
On the market since	1986

'Rhea'

'Rhea' blooms semi-double with bright pink petals bursting out from the center ready to fly into space. It is very luminous, transparent and glowing. Has the quality of a very strong and outgoing presence. Good substance, stamens, pollen, no seeds, fragrant and reliable. One bud per stem. Good stem strength, grows 120 cm - 150 cm feet and blooms in late May. Light green foliage, vigorous. Rhea was the wife of Kronos and the mother of Zeus. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Goddess of the mountains, Earth (Rhea) that feeds all, mother of Zeus himself, you who rule the great Pactolus rich in gold, ... ah, blessed one that sits behind bull-slaughtering lions! Sophokles, Philoktetes 391 - 95 / 400 f

Parents	unnamed BC1 x 'The Captains Concubine' (Moutan)
Number of seedling	D-357
Crossing	BC2
Year of crossing	1964
Germination	1965
First Blooming	1974
Registration	1995
First grafted	1995
Will be on the market in	2000