Plants – Shrub or vine – Azalea or rhododendron
Plant Patent
2001-08-15
2003-12-09
Bell, Kent (Department: 1661)
Plants
Shrub or vine
Azalea or rhododendron
Plant Patent
active
PP014362
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of evergreen azalea, botanically known as
Rhododendron indicum.
Richard Odom discovered this new azalea variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘Crimson Majesty’, as a naturally occurring branch sport of Azalea ‘Red Formosa’ at Country Pines Nursery, Inc. in Forest Hill, La. ‘Red Formosa’ is an unpatented azalea that is well-know in the trade in zones 7-9.
After several generations of asexual propagations through rooting cuttings, the present plant has been developed with its unique foliage coloration and full size, having similar growth patterns and bloom characteristics of the parent plant, ‘Red Formosa’.
The selection process focused on foliage color and type of growth rather than on bloom characteristics.
Asexual propagation of the new plant by rooting cuttings has been under Mr. Odom's direction at the same location. Several generations of the new plant have been evaluated and the distinctive characteristics of the plant have remained stable. The plant cannot be reproduced true from seed.
Plant cuttings are allowed to root and grow in a 2.25 inch diameter (rosecup) container for 6-8 months, at which time the plant is about 4 inches in height, and is then transferred to a one gallon container. After an additional 10-12 months of growth, the plant is about 11-13 inches in height and about 10-13 inches in spread. At this time, the plant is sufficiently large for commercial sale as a one gallon plant. If larger plants are desired for commercial sale, the plant can be re-potted from the one gallon container to a three gallon container. An additional 8-10 months of growth in the three gallon container is generally needed to produce a commercial three gallon container plant, at about 24-28 inches in height and 24-26 inches in spread.
Patent applications have been filed herewith for Azalea ‘Crimson Princess’, U.S. patent application No. 09/930,574, a dwarf form which originated as naturally occurring whole plant sport mutation of ‘Crimson Majesty’, and azalea ‘Crimson Queen’, U.S. patent application No. 09/930,575, a semi-dwarf form which originated as a naturally occurring branch sport of Azalea ‘Crimson Princess’. The three “Crimson” azaleas have similar leaf coloration (187-A, 187-B, grayed purple group)(The foliage of ‘Crimson Queen’ is lighter than that of ‘Crimson Princess’ but darker that of ‘Crimson Majesty’ in appearance) and differ primary in growth size characteristics: ‘Crimson Princess’ being a dwarf (about 10-12 inches in height at about two ½ years from cutting), ‘Crimson Queen’ a semi-dwarf (about 16-18 inches in height at about 2½ years from cutting) and ‘Crimson Majesty’ being a standard (about 24-28 inches in height at about 2½ years). See
FIGS. 8 and 9
. By contrast, the parent stock ‘Red Formosa’ is a standard azalea (about 24-28 inches at two ½ years from cutting, with an ultimate height of 5-8 feet). All of the ‘Crimson’ hybrid azaleas have strikingly different foliage coloration (187-A, 187-B, grayed purple group) from the parent ‘Red Formosa’ (N189A grayed green group). ). See
FIGS. 2 and 9
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The ‘Crimson Majesty’ new growth has a dominant reddish purple color in a rather wide border on the outer margin of the leaves. This color is overcome with green as the leaf matures, but the pigment remains slightly noticeable on the topside of the foliage. This gives the plant a purple or maroon color when it is viewed from a normal distance. The coloration is readily apparent when viewed in contrast next to green leaf azaleas or shrubs. The underside of the leaf retains more reddish purple pigment. The cultivar has the growth habitat of full size indica azaleas. The cultivar has a red-purple flower color similar to that of Azalea ‘Red Formosa,’ but the flower and flower color is not considered a novel feature.
The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Independence, La.
1. The unique foliage coloration, color 187-A (grayed purple group).
2. Easily propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the summer.
3. Fast growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions.
4. Upright, dense and globose in nature.
5. Good specimen plant.
6. Makes a good hedge or screen.
7. Very good foundation plant for large buildings or under high windows.
Bell Kent
Jones Walker Waechter Poitevent Carrere & Denegre, LLP
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