Plants – Rose – Climber
Plant Patent
1999-03-18
2001-07-31
Campell, Bruce R. (Department: 1661)
Plants
Rose
Climber
Plant Patent
active
PP012025
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of
Spiraea japonica
that originated as a naturally occurring branch mutation discovered by the inventor on a plant of
Spiraea japonica
‘Goldmound’ (not patented) in a cultivated area of St.-Paul d'Abbotsford, Quebec, Canada. The first asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was by softwood cuttings taken by the inventor in St.-Paul d'Abbotsford, Quebec, Canada. ‘Golden Elf’ was propagated by softwood cuttings and the best young plant selections were chosen for evaluation. This selection process was repeated twice more until a final selection was chosen. Thus, the hundred of plants obtained have shown that the unique features of this new Spiraea are stabilized and are reproduced true to type in successive propagations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The new variety ‘Golden Elf’ was observed over four subsequent years to determine the stability of characteristics and growing behavior in plant container production, plant field production and landscaping. The following observations, measurements, values and comparisons describe the plants as grown in St.-Paul-d'Abbotsford, Quebec, Canada under outdoor conditions that generally exist in commercial horticulture and also closely resemble conditions in garden practice.
The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Golden Elf’, which in combination, distinguish this Spiraea from the cultivar ‘Goldmound’ and distinguish it as a new and distinct cultivar:
1. A dwarf plant habit. Plants of ‘Goldmound’ are generally six times as tall as plants of ‘Golden Elf’. ‘Golden Elf’ therefore has a ground cover type habit as an attribute.
2. A miniature aspect of leaves. Leaves of plants of ‘Golden Elf’ are four times smaller than leaves of ‘Goldmound’.
3. An attractive golden leaf coloration. Leaves of plants of ‘Golden Elf’ maintain their golden color from spring to first frost, especially if grown in full sun. As compared to the leaves of the cultivar ‘Goldmound’ which only retains its attractive golden leaf color until the end of the summer. During the fall period, the leaves of ‘Goldmound’ become dull and dark, regardless of light level.
4. A smooth and compact aspect to the canopy. The nature of the canopy of ‘Goldmound’ is rough and more open.
5. Disease and insect tolernace. Plants of ‘Golden Elf’ are definitely less affected by diseases and insects than the cultivar ‘Goldmound’.
6. Golden Elf does not produce flowers. Plants of ‘Goldmound’ exhibit a profuse flowering habit.
The new variety has exhibited good hardiness and has survived without injury when overwintered in containers above ground and in the landscape in St-Paul-d'Abbotsford. ‘Golden Elf’ is considered hardy to Canadian zone 3 (−34.5° to −40° C.).
A detailed camparison of the cultivars ‘Golden Elf’ and ‘Goldmound’ appears in Table A at the end of the specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: P.P. 7537 (1991-05-01), Catt
patent: P.P. 9363 (1995-11-01), Tristram
Bell Kent L.
Bourgeois Mark P.
Campell Bruce R.
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