Plants – Shrub or vine – Hydrangea
Plant Patent
2003-02-03
2004-10-12
Bell, Kent (Department: 1661)
Plants
Shrub or vine
Hydrangea
Plant Patent
active
PP015222
ABSTRACT:
Classification:
Hydrangea
(Thunb.) (
macrophylla×serrata
)×
Hydrangea
(
serrata×macrophylla
).
Varietal denomination: The new plant has the varietal denomination ‘Sweet Chris’.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of
Hydrangea
hybrid which was developed in a controlled breeding program in Silver Spring, Md., United States, by Mr. Joseph Gray. The varietal denomination of the new variety is ‘Sweet Chris’.
The genus
Hydrangea
is included in the family Saxifragaceae which comprises about 80 genera and 1,200 species of herbs, shrubs, small trees and woody climbers mostly temperate in origin.
Hydrangea
comprises approximately 23 species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and vines originating in North America, South America and East Asia, many of which possess desirable ornamental characteristics. Recent taxonomical treatments sometimes isolate
Hydrangea
in a new family, Hydrangeaceae.
Hydrangea macrophylla
is widespread and common throughout much of Japan. It generally has opposite, simple leaves, obovate to elliptic in shape, 10 to 20 cm long and 5 to 15 cm wide. Leaf color ranges from light to dark green, depending on light intensity and cultural conditions. Leaves are generally softly pubescent. Flower color is dependent upon the pH level of the soil and the amount of available aluminum in the soil media. Flowers of
Hydrangea macrophylla
are borne in mostly sterile florets, formed in what is often called a “hortensia” flower.
Hydrangea serrata
is widespread and common throughout much of Japan, Korea and China. It generally has opposite, simple leaves, lanceolate in shape with acuminate apices, 5 to 15 cm long and 5 to 10 cm wide. Leaf color ranges from light to dark green, depending on light intensity and cultural conditions. Leaves are generally softly pubescent. The plant is deciduous. Flower color is dependent upon the pH level of the soil and the amount of available aluminum in the soil media. Flowers of
Hydrangea serrata
are borne in mostly flattened corymbs, 1 to 5 cm wide, with up to 12 sterile florets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The new variety was developed in a controlled breeding program of
Hydrangea macrophylla
and
Hydrangea serrata,
and differs from its parents in its dark green summer foliage, burgundy fall foliage, lace cap flower color, and burgundy stem color. Asexual reproduction of the new variety by stem cuttings, performed in Silver Springs, Md. and Vacaville, Calif., have confirmed that the distinctive characteristics of the new variety are stable and transmitted to succeeding generations, and the new variety reproduces true to type.
COMPARISON WITH PARENTS
‘Sweet Chris’ is distinguished from its parents and all other varieties of
Hydrangea
of which I am aware by dark green summer foliage, burgundy fall foliage, lacecap flower color, and burgundy stem color.
Bell Kent
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Hines Nurseries Inc.
LandOfFree
Hydrangea hybrid plant named ‘Sweet Chris’ does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hydrangea hybrid plant named ‘Sweet Chris’, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hydrangea hybrid plant named ‘Sweet Chris’ will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3262811