Plants – Shrub or vine
Plant Patent
1999-03-05
2001-06-26
Campell, Bruce R. (Department: 1661)
Plants
Shrub or vine
Plant Patent
active
PP011958
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention presents a new and distinct cultivar
Caryopteris×clandonensis
and will be referred to hereafter by the cultivar name ‘First Choice’. ‘First Choice’ is a new an distinct cultivar of Bluebeard, a shrub that is grown as a perennial for landscape use.
The new cultivar is the result of a seedling selection program that began in 1988 with the objective of developing a cultivar with a compact plant habit and a stronger flower color. Seeds were originally collected by the inventor at Liss Forest Nursury in Hampshire, UK. Seedlings were selected, open-pollinated, and reselected over five subsequent generations. Seeds were originally collected from the cultivars
Caryopteris×clandonensis
‘Heavenly Blue’ (unpatented) and
Caryopteris×clandonensis
‘Kew Blue’ (unpatented). In five subsequent generations, the most promising seedlings were selected, open-pollinated and observed for further seed collection. The new Caryopteris was discovered in a seed bed sown of these various unidentified crosses of
Caryopteris×clandonensis
seed in 1992. Thousands of seedlings were evaluated before the cultivar ‘First Choice’ was selected as unique in that it has a compact growth habit, a long bloom season and deep-colored floral buds and flowers. The new cultivar is more similar to ‘Kew Blue’ than to ‘Heavenly Blue’. ‘First Choice’ differs from ‘Kew Blue’ in that ‘First Choice’ is longer blooming, more compact, the flowers are larger and richer in color, the flowers are more abundant, and the foliage is greener. Data is given Table 1 for comparison to ‘Dark Knight’ (unpatented) because the flower color of ‘Dark Knight’ is closer to that of ‘First Choice’ than any other cultivar. The new cultivar can be readily distinguished from all other cultivars of
Caryopteris×clandonensis
by the characteristics that are described hereafter.
Asexual propagation of the new cultivar has been accomplished by semi-ripe cuttings taken by the inventor in 1994 at Liss Forest Nursery in England. The characteristics of this new cultivar have been determined to be stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be characteristics of the new cultivar. The combination of these traits distinguish the new cultivar from all others in commerce.
1. ‘First Choice’ has a long bloom season. A high proportion of early flower buds on ‘First Choice’ develop into flowers, whereas the early season flower buds of other known cultivars often do not fully develop.
2. The flowers of ‘First Choice’ are borne in profusion on erect stems.
3. The floral buds are inky-blue in color and the flowers are a deep lilac-blue.
4. The plant habit is compact.
5. The foliage is a deep green with a satin finish; other cultivars are typically grey-green.
REFERENCES:
Huxley, A., Griffiths, M., Levy, M.. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. vol. 2, Jul. 10, 1992.
Bourgeois Mark P.
Campell Bruce R.
Kizilkaya Michelle
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