Plants – Shrub or vine – Hydrangea
Plant Patent
2001-10-09
2004-11-09
Bell, Kent (Department: 1661)
Plants
Shrub or vine
Hydrangea
Plant Patent
active
PP015298
ABSTRACT:
Genus/species:
Hydrangea macrophylla.
Varietal denomination: ‘Bailmer’.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of
Hydrangea macrophylla
and will be referred to hereafter by its cultivar name, ‘Bailmer’. ‘Bailmer’ represents a new Bigleaf
Hydrangea,
a deciduous shrub grown for landscape use and for use as a potted plant.
The inventor discovered the new cultivar, ‘Bailmer’, in a cultivated garden in St. Paul, Minn. in the summer of 1983. The inventor observed the new invention for a three year period and recognized that it was unique in that it bloomed dependably in a Zone 4 climate and consistently displayed deep green, disease-free foliage. The inventor rooted softwood cuttings and set up a trial block at a nursery in St. Paul, Minn. for further observation in 1986. In 1998, additional trials were initiated both in St. Paul, Minn. and in Athens, Ga. to fully identify the unique characteristics of ‘Bailmer’ as compared to existing cultivars of
H. macrophylla
.
It was discovered through ten years of trials, that the new cultivar had the ability to dependably initiate blooms on new growth and that plants grown from softwood cuttings initiate and develop blooms without a chilling requirement. The new cultivar can be kept in perpetual bloom until fall by the removal of old flowerheads. These characteristics are atypical for
Hydrangea macrophylla. H. macrophylla
cultivars typically bloom on buds formed the prior season on old wood and develop only after a period of chilling and the flower buds are often killed by the harsh winter conditions in Zone 4. The parental background of ‘Bailmer’ is unknown.
The extensive trials indicate that the combined characteristics identify ‘Bailmer’ as unique and unlike any other known cultivars of
H. macrophylla
known to the inventor and the experts consulted. In comparison, the cultivars ‘Nikko Blue’ (unpatented) and ‘Général Vicomtesse de Vibraya’ (unpatented) have flowers that are similar in color to ‘Bailmer’ and have better cold hardier than most, however, they do not bloom dependably on new wood.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by softwood cuttings in St. Paul, Minn. in July of 1986 by the inventor. The characteristics of this 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 represent the characteristics of the new cultivar. These attributes in combination distinguish ‘Bailmer’ from other varieties in commerce known to the inventor.
1. Blooms on new growth. Removal of spent blooms results in perpetual bloom from summer through fall.
2. Hardy in Zone 4.
3. Increased mildew resistance as compared to some cultivars; more resistance than ‘Nikko Blue’.
4. Inflorescence color is pink, in alkaline soils and in any soils where aluminum levels or uptake is limited and blue in acidic with sufficient aluminum. The intensity and hue of the blue color is highly variable depending on soil pH and aluminum levels.
5. The ability to set flower buds on new growth without a cold treatment.
6. Foliage is deep green.
Aguirre Penny J.
Bailey Nurseries Inc.
Bell Kent
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