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Heath plant named Happy |
| PP8650 |
Heath plant named Happy
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| Patent Drawings: | |
| Inventor: |
Imazio |
| Date Issued: |
March 22, 1994 |
| Application: |
07/964,521 |
| Filed: |
October 21, 1992 |
| Inventors: |
Imazio; Bruno L. (Watsonville, CA)
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| Assignee: |
Bay City Flower Co. (Half Moon Bay, CA) |
| Primary Examiner: |
Feyrer; James R. |
| Assistant Examiner: |
Veitenheimer; Erich E. |
| Attorney Or Agent: |
Cypher; James R. |
| U.S. Class: |
PLT/231 |
| Field Of Search: |
Plt/68.1; Plt/54.1; Plt/100 |
| International Class: |
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| U.S Patent Documents: |
PP7536; PP8014 |
| Foreign Patent Documents: |
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| Other References: |
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| Abstract: |
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of heath plant named Erica persoluta `Happy`, a seedling on unknown pollen and seed parentage, discovered in a field of Erica persoluta, which is distinguished from Erica persoluta and other varieties known to me by its early flowering habit, dense and compact appearance, natural short growth habit, orchid colored blooms that cover the plume from the base of the stem all the way to the tip of the plant, and its tight, narrow and erect plumes spike-like flower clusters. |
| Claim: |
I claim:
1. A new and distinct hybrid plant variety of the Heath family substantially as herein shown and described. |
| Description: |
BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION
This invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of the Ericaceae family which has been named Erica persoluta `Happy` by the assignee of the invention. This new heather variety was discovered by the inventory as a seedling of unknownpollen and seed parentage growing in a cultivated field of Erica persoluta. The new variety was noticed because of its early flowering habit, dense and compact appearance, natural short growth habit, orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of theplant, and its tight, narrow and erect spike-like flower clusters.
The new variety is desirable for potted plant culture because of it natural compact, dwarfish growth habit which requires minimal pruning to achieve the abundant branching and full, dense appearance desired.
The distinguishing characteristics of my new variety which differentiate it from Erica persoluta and other varieties known to me are:
1. early bloom time of October through mid January,
2. short, dense, compact growth habit,
3. natural abundant branching with minimal pruning,
4. orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant, and,
5. tight, narrow and erect spike-like flower clusters.
The distingushing characteristics of my new variety which differentiate it from Erica persoluta, `Heidi` and `Rosemarie` are bloom time and color blooms.
______________________________________ ERICA `HAPPY` `HEIDI` `ROSEMARIE` PERSOLUTA ______________________________________ Bloom Oct.- Mid Dec.- Dec.-Feb. March Season Mid Jan. Mid Feb. Bloom 78C-78D 71C-71D 66D 70A-70B Color ______________________________________
Since the inventor's discovery of the new plant, the assignee, under the direction and control of the inventor at Half Moon Bay, has asexually reproduced the new cultivar through successive generations by means of cuttings and has found that itsfollowing characteristics remain true from generation to generation and appear to be firmly fixed: early bloom time; shorter, dense, compact growth habit; natural abundant branching which requires minimal pruning; orchid colored blooms which bloom to thetip of the plant; and tight, thin and erect spike-like flower clusters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new variety illustrating the overall appearance and form of the plant, including: abundant branching; short height; dense compact appearance; tight, narrow and erect plumes; and blooms all theway to the tip of the plant.
FIG. 2 is a close up view of the plumes of the new variety illustrating the abundance of blooms on the plumes and blooms all the way to the tip of the plant.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. The following description is based on observations of wellfertilized 4" potted plants of 12 to 16 months of age from initial propagation which were grown outside under saran in a commercial nursery at Half Moon Bay, Calif., where temperatures average from 55 to 65 degrees F. during the summer months, and 45 to55 degrees F. during the winter months.
Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from the slated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal, and cultural conditions.
The Plant
Origin: Seedling.
Parentage:
Seed parent.--Unknown.
Pollen parent.--Unknown.
Classification:
Botanic.--Erica persoluta `Happy`.
Commercial.--`Happy`.
Form: Perennial, compact, woody shrub.
Shape: Upright, stems curving slightly to accomodate fullness of plant.
Height: Mean 12" to 18".
Girth: Mean 8" to 10".
Branching: Ample, needs minimal pruning.
Growth: naturally compact with woody flexible strength.
Foliage: Abundant, with tiny needle-like leaves over the entire plant.
Size of leaf.--Mean 1/8" long.
Shape of leaf.--Acerose like.
Character.--Sulcate.
Color.--R.H.S. 144 A.
Texture.--Smooth.
Hardiness: Can tolerate a temperature range of 28 to 100 degrees F.
Disease resistance: Considerable resistance to fungus type diseases. Common diseases include phythium and phytoplhora.
Seed production: Sparce; commercially produced asexually by cuttings.
Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot, sunny, dry weather will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality.
In general, the foliage is too tiny to determine further characteristics by plant observation.
The Bud
Size:
Length.--1/8" and less.
Diameter.--1/10"and less.
Rate of opening: progressive and continuous to the tip of the stem.
Petals: Corolline flowers in which the sepals are relatively insignificant.
Color: R.H.S. 78 B to 78 D.
Inflorescence
Blooming habit: Annually, can range from early October through mid January depending upon seasonal weather conditions.
Size of bloom: 1/8" by 1/10".
Borne: Spike like clusters with terminal flowers.
Shape: Urceolate.
Appearance: Satiny.
Color: R.H.S. 78 B to 78 C in overall appearance of the plant.
Flower stem:
Length.--Mean 1/4" to 3".
Color.--R.H.S. 177D.
Strength.--Woody and supple.
Discoloration: Does not fade.
Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot, dry, sunny weather will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to fade and decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality.
Persistence: Blooms persists long after the stem ceases to draw water. Blooms do not shed easily.
Fragrance: Slight.
Lasting quality:
On plant.--6 to 8 weeks.
As a cut flower.--2 weeks.
The outstanding characteristics of this new plant resides in its early blooming from October through mid January, whereas Erica persoluta does not begin to bloom until March. Its natural short, compact growth habit makes it suitable for potplant culture, whereas Erica persoluta is of the cut flower variety and is taller.
______________________________________ `ROSE- `ERICA NEW PLANT `HEIDI` MARIE` PERSOLUTA` CULTIVAR ______________________________________ Height a 4" pot Same a 4" pot will be a 4" pot will be will be 8" 10" to 12" high 13" to 15" high or9" high in 18 mons. in 16 mons. in 18 mons. growing time growing time growing with numerous with minimal time with pruning pruning little or no pruning Form short, dense Same Same Same appearing, compact woody shrub Shape Upright, SameUpright, stems Upright, stems spreading to stems curving curving produce fullness slightly to slightly to of plant accommodate accomodate fullness of fullness of plant plant Branch- naturally Same generous, ample, ing generous, severalminimal (1-2) minimal or prunings prunings no pruning necessary (4-5) necessary to needed to encourage encourage branching branching Growth upright but Same Same Same naturally short and branching with woody, flexible strength Blooming annual, mid annual, annual, early annual, early Season: Jan. to mid Dec.- March through Oct. through Feb. Feb. late March mid Jan. Foliage Color R.H.S. R.H.S. R.H.S. 143A R.H.S. 144A 143A 144A with 59A streaking through the leaves Size1/8" Same Same Same Shape spike-like, Same Same Same with stiff, erect stems; Acerose Quantity Abundant Same Same Same Bloom Size 1/8" .times. 1/16" Same 3/16" .times. 1/16" 1/8" .times. 1/10" Borne in clusters Same Same Same with terminal buds Shape Urceolate Same Ovoid Urceolate Color R.H.S. R.H.S. R.H.S. 70A-70B BR.H.S. 71C-71D 66D 78B-78C Rate of rapid, Same Same Same opening: progressive and continuous beginning at the base of the stem and progressing to the tip ofthe stem ______________________________________
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