Plants – Herbaceous ornamnental flowering plant – Carnation or pink
Plant Patent
2002-02-07
2004-02-17
Grunberg, Anne Marie (Department: 1661)
Plants
Herbaceous ornamnental flowering plant
Carnation or pink
Plant Patent
active
PP014549
ABSTRACT:
Genus: Dianthus.
Species: ×hybrida.
Denomination: Neon Star.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The application for this new invention is co-pending with one other application entitled Dianthus Plant Named ‘Red Dwarf’. ‘Red Dwarf’ is derived from the same breeding program having the same inventor and filing date as the present application entitled Dianthus ‘Neon Star’.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct dwarf variety of Carnation that is grown for its compact habit and long flowering, fragrant, magenta blossoms. The new cultivar is known botanically as
Dianthus×hybrida
and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Neon Star’.
‘Neon Star’ is the product of a breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. The primary focus of the breeding program was to produce dwarf varieties with a wide range of bright colored perfume scented flowers with a long flowering season. The breeding program was established in 1969 in a cultivated area of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. Open pollinated seedlings produced the female parent Dianthus ‘Brehemen’ (unpatented). The male parent is an unidentified Dianthus. The inventor bred ‘Neon Star’ in 1996 by induced hybridization.
‘Neon Star’ is a hybrid produced by induced hybridization and was selected by the inventor in 1997 for its intense magenta flowers, compact habit and long flowering season. The flower is generally male sterile but under exceptionally favorable environmental conditions it can produce anthers and pollen. ‘Neon Star’ is distinguishable from the female parent plant by flower color, a longer flowering season and a more compact habit. The flowers of the female parent ‘Brehemen’ exhibit more pink in their coloring (N74A).
In comparison, the plant most similar to ‘Neon Star’ is Dianthus ‘Whatfield Magenta’ (unpatented). ‘Neon Star’ differs from the comparison variety in its stronger growth, longer flowering season, and flower color. ‘Neon Star’ is 200% of the vigour of ‘Whatfield Magenta’. The flowering period of ‘Neon Star’ is 25 weeks, whereas the flower period of ‘Whatfield Magenta’ is 5 weeks. Each individual flower of ‘Neon Star’ lasts approximately 5 days loner on the plant, than the individual flowers of ‘Whatfield Magenta’.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished in 1997 by the inventor using softwood shoot cuttings in a cultivated area of Houndspool, Dawlish, Devon, United Kingdom. Since that time the characteristics of the new cultivar have been determined stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the characteristics of the new cultivar ‘Neon Star’. These traits in combination distinguish this cultivar from all other commercial varieties known to the inventor. ‘Neon Star’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions.
1. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ flowers are generally male sterile, but under exceptionally favorable environmental conditions it can produce anthers and pollen.
2. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ exhibits fragrant dark magenta colored flowers.
3. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ exhibits a dwarf, compact cushion habit.
4. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ reaches 13-16 cm. in height including the flower stalks and 25 cm. in width at maturity.
5. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ is long flowering, blooming from April to October.
6. Dianthus ‘Neon Star’ is hardy to minus 15° Centigrade.
REFERENCES:
The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, vol. 2, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Huxley, The Stockton Press, New York, 1992, pp 50-56.
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