The Daphnis Hybrids

The Accidental Seedlings

At the same time when he crossed at Gratwick Nursery there were also seedlings resulting from so-called "open pollination", i.e. seeds which were not purposely pollinated by the breeder but accidentally by bees. From the accidental seedlings of Nassos Daphnis only the seed parents are known.

From these numerous seedlings the following varieties were cultivated:

'Arethusa'

'Arethusa' blooms single with light pink colour. It has a dark center with maroon flares. Two rows of heart-like petals with good substance. The flower has pollen and seeds and is fragrant. It is a reliable plant, one bud per stem, strong foliage and good vigor. It blooms end of May. 'Arethusa' has the crispness and freshness of water from a spring brook. In Greek mythology Arethusa was a woodland nymph, pursuaded by Alpheus the River God - she was turned into a fountain. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Then kindly Demetra, restored to cheerfulness by the return of her daughter, inquired the reason for Arethusa's flight, and why she was now a holy spring. The waters were stilled as their goddess raised her head from the pool and, wringing the moisture from her green tresses, told the story, now an old one, of the love of the Elean river. "I was one of the nymphs who dwelt in Achaea", she said, ... Ovid, Metamophosis 5, 572 - 577

Parents	unnamed BC1 x open pollination
Number of seedling	D-344
"Crossing"	BC2
Year of "crossing"	?
Germination	?
First Blooming	1975
Registration	1977
First grafted	1977
On the market since	1987

'Argonaut'

'Argonaut' named after the Argonaut saga. Semidouble tree peony. The flower is pale pink, with stamens, no pollen or seeds. Fragrant, good substance, reliable, one bud per stem with 10 - 15 blooms. It grows to 90 cm - 120 cm with good stem strength, dark green foliage and vigorous. Blooms in late May. This flower suggests the Argonauts' strength, power and willingness to overcome all dangers to go through the Syplegades to Colchis and bring back the golden Fleece to Thessaly. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Now the Minyans were cutting their way through the waters, on board the ship built at Pagasae. They had seen Phineus, old and helpless, dragging on his life in the eternal darkness of the blind, and the young sons of the North wind had scared away from his lips the harpies that tormented the wretched old man. At last, when they had come through many dangers and difficulties under the leadership of the famous Jason, they (the Argonauts) reached the swiftflowing waters of the muddy river Phasis. While they were entering the presence of King Aetes and were asking for the fleece of the ram which had carried Phrixus, while Aetes was imposing his monstruous conditions, requiring them to perform prodigious tasks, the king's daughter Medea was seized by an overwhelming passion of love. Ovid, Metamorphosis 7, 1 - 9

Parents	unnamed BC1 x open pollination
Number of seedling	D-328
"Crossing"	BC2
Year of "crossing"	1964
Germination	1965
First Blooming	1974
Registration	1996
First grafted	1996
Will be on the market in	2000

'Boreas'

'Boreas' has semi-double flowers in a very dark burgundy red. The petals are ruffled, turning in and out in different directions as though storming wind is blowing with great force. The flower looks and feels as though made of velvet. In Greek mythology Boreas was the god of the north wind. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

With these words and more in the same haughty strain, Boreas shook out the wings which, as he beats his way through the air, cause gusts of wind to blow over all the earth, and ruffle the surface of the sea. Trailing his dusty cloak over the mountain tops, the lover swept along the ground and, shrouded in darkness, engulfed the panicstricken Orithyia in his dusky wings. As he flew, he fanned the flames of his passion, and it burned more strongly. Ovid, Metamorphosis 6, 702 - 708

Parents	unnamed F1-cross x open pollination
Number of seedling	D-311
"Crossing"	F2 (?)
Year of "crossing"	1964
Germination	1965
First Blooming	1974
Registration	1977
First grafted	1980
On the market since	1985

'Hestia'

'Hestia' produces double flowers in a rich, warm bright red. The narrow slightly frilled petals form 3 to 5 rows. Petals are rather small in comparison with other hybrids. There is a warm feeling in this flower. Hestia was the Greek goddess of the hearth. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Nor yet does the pure maiden Hestia love Aphrodite's works. She was the first-born child of wily Kronos and youngest too ... So Zeus the Father gave her an high honour instead of marriage, and she has her place in the midst of the house and has the richest portion. In all the temples of the gods she has a share of honour, and among all mortal men she is chief of the goddesses. Homerian Hymnos 5, 21 - 23; 29 - 32

Parents	unnamed BC1-cross x open pollination
Number of seedling	D-273
"Crossing"	BC2
Year of "crossing"	1963
Germination	1964
First Blooming	1973
Registration	1977
First grafted	1980
On the market since	1985

'Icarus'

'Icarus' flowers in an excellent red. The single flowers are formed by two rows of notched and dotted petals. One might think that the inner petals were trying to reach up to the sky, while the outer petals spread like wings. Icarus, Daedalus' son, was the first man in Greek mythology who succeeded in flying. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Then he prepared his son to fly too. "I warn you, Icarus," he said, "you must follow a course midway between earth and heaven, in case the sun should scorch your feathers, if you go too high, or the water make them heavy if you are too low. Fly halfway between the two. And pay no attention to the stars, to Bootes, or Helice or Orion with his drawn sword: take me as your guide, and follow me!" Ovid, Metamorphosis 8, 203 - 208

Parents	unnamed F1-cross x open pollination
Number of seedling	D-254
"Crossing"	F2
Year of "crossing"	1959
Germination	1960
First Blooming	1969
Registration	1977
First grafted	1977
On the market since	?

'Isadora'

'Isadora' blooms yellow with red overcast, single. This is the most unusual flower. It starts with very dark flares from the base of each petal sending the red cast over the yellow. Then we see the red color appearing again at the margin of each petal. The flowing gesture of each petal suggests the veils of Isadora Duncan, when she was dancing. Good substance, has stamens, no pollen or seeds, fragrant, reliable, one bud per stem. Good stem strength, 120 cm - 180 cm in height, light green foliage, vigorous. Isadora Duncan was a famous dancer. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Parents	unnamed BC1-cross x open pollination
Number of seedling	D-414
"Crossing"	BC2
Year of "crossing"	1966
Germination	1967
First Blooming	1976
Registration	1995
First grafted	1995
Will be on the market in	2000

'Maia'

'Maia' flowers in a light red. The semi-double flowers are formed by three rows of regularly shaped petals which surround a marvellous dark center with blotches at the base. Opens fully and shows its dark center with a strong gesture. The anthers form a large golden ball. Maia was the daughter of Atlas and was said to be the most beautiful woman in Greek mythology. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Muse, sing of Hermes, the son of Zeus and Maia, lord of Cyllene and Arcadia, ... whom Maia bare, the rich-tressed nymph, when she was joined in love with Zeus, - a shy goddess. Homerian Hymnos 4, 1 - 2a; 3b - 5a

Parents	unnamed BC1-cross x open pollination
Number of seedling	D-265
"Crossing"	BC2
Year of "crossing"	1962
Germination	1963
First Blooming	1972
Registration	1975
First grafted	1978
On the market since	1982

'Maria Teressa'

'Maria Teressa' flowers in a dark pink. The double bloom forms a ball with stamens, pollen and seeds. It is also fragrant. It is reliable, with 1 - 2 buds per stem, good substance with 20 - 30 blooms. It grows 150 cm - 180 cm. 'Maria Teressa' is a vigorous plant with good stem strength that blooms in late May. Dark green foliage. This plant is the first of the Lutea hybrids to bloom, along with 'Tria'. It is very floriferous with an abundance of flowers. Holds the flowers high and lasts for about two weeks. The color of this flower reminds me of the color of the tunic that Maria Teressa, the adopted daughter of Isadora Duncan, wore when she was dancing. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

Parents	unnamed BC1-cross x open pollination
Number of seedling	D-404
"Crossing"	BC2
Year of "crossing"	1958
Germination	1959
First Blooming	1968
Registration	1996
First grafted	1996
Will be on the market in	2000

'Pluto'

'Pluto' has dark red double flowers. If a ray of light falls on the flower the spectator gets the impression of a glowing painted glass window. The vigorous plant reaches a height of 150 cm and bears its fragrant flowers above the foliage. This flower is considered to be the best of the very dark hybrids that have been produced till now. 'Pluto' is fertile in both directions. The plant is named after Pluto, the god of the underworld in Greek mythology. Photo: Nassos Daphnis

There is a road that slopes downhill, all gloomy with funereal yew. It leads to the underworld, through regions mute and silent. There the sluggish Styx breathes forth its mists, and by that path descend the ghosts of those newly dead, the shades of mortals duly laid to rest in their tombs. Far and wide the desolate spot is wrapped in gloomy chill. The ghosts, but lately come, do not know where the road lies, that leads to the Stygian city, nor where to go to find the grim palace of dusky Pluto.Ovid, Metamorphosis 4, 432 - 438

Parents	'Corsair' (Lutea hybrid F1) x open pollination
Number of seedling	D-361
"Crossing"	F2
Year of "crossing"	1966
Germination	1967
First Blooming	1976
Registration	1987
First grafted	1985
On the market since	1990