Plants – Shrub or vine
Plant Patent
2001-07-17
2003-06-17
Locker, Howard J. (Department: 1661)
Plants
Shrub or vine
Plant Patent
active
PP013898
ABSTRACT:
Botanical classification:
Lavatera thuringiaca.
Variety denomination: ‘Red Rum’.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Tree Mallow, a perennial shrub with a compact habit, grown for use as an ornamental landscape and accent plant. The new cultivar is known botanically as a
Lavatera thuringiaca
and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Red Rum’.
In 1996, a plant was found by the inventor in a cultivated garden area of Southampton, United Kingdom. The garden contained plants of Lavatera ‘Bredon Springs’ (unpatented) and Lavatera ‘Burgundy Wine’ (unpatented). It is believed that ‘Burgundy Wine’ and ‘Bredon Springs’ are the parents. However, the exact parents are unknown.
The traits that make ‘Red Rum’ unique are, very dark almost black stems, a compact growth habit, the shape and color of the flowers as well as their arrangement in terminal clusters. The flowers of ‘Red Rum’ are arranged along the stem in tighter clusters in comparison to typical Lavateras. The closest comparision plants are ‘Bredon Springs’ and ‘Burgandy Wine’. ‘Red rum’ is distinguishable from ‘Bredon Springs’ by a compact habit. ‘Red Rum’ is shorter than ‘Bredon Springs’ and about the same size as ‘Burgundy Wine’. ‘Red Rum’ differs from both ‘Burgundy Wine’ and ‘Bredon Springs’ in its darker flower color and stem color. The flower color of ‘Red Rum’ is nearer to red than any other Lavatera known to the inventor.
‘Red Rum’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in 1996 in Southampton, United Kingdom using stem cuttings. Since that time, under careful observation, the distinguishing characteristics have been determined stable and uniform in successive generations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Lavatera cultivar ‘Red Rum’. In combination these traits set ‘Red Rum’ apart from all other existing varieties of Lavatera known to the inventor. ‘Red Rum’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.
1. Lavatera ‘Red Rum’ exhibits red flowers along the stems and in terminal clusters.
2. Lavatera ‘Red Rum’ exhibits a compact growth habit.
3. Lavatera ‘Red Rum’ exhibits dark, almost black stems.
4. Lavatera ‘Red Rum’ is 150 cm. in height and 150 cm. in width at maturity.
REFERENCES:
Huxley, ed., 1992, The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, MacMillan Press Ltd., London, pp. 25-26, vol. 3, L-Q, 1992.
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