Hibiscus plant named `Morrison-Gilberg (I)`

Abstract

A new and distinct hybrid variety of Hibiscus moscheutos, particularly distinguished by having flowers of from seven to thirteen inches in diameter that are white with a red eye (Pantone 201u). The length of the blooming cycle is about 4-5 weeks. The flowers, which have completely overlapping petals, retain their flat shape for two full days, except when temperatures are exceptionally warm. Distinguishing characteristics are constant and stable in asexually reproduced plants.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of herbaceous perennial, more particularly to a hybrid variety of hibiscus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was developed by me as a progeny by cross-pollination in a garden in Park Ridge, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. The plant was originally produced as a seedling and has been successfully asexually reproduced by root crown division, under casual backyard gardening conditions. The plant has also been reproduced by vegetative reproduction, i.e., by tip and stem cuttings. The original seedling had parentage of `Giant Early White` (unpatented) pollen parent and `Little Red Riding Hood` (unpatented) seed parent, both of which are cultivars of Hibiscus mosheutos grown and named by the inventor. The present cultivar is a herbaceous perennial; the stalks die back to ground level every winter and new stalks emerge in late spring. The trade name "Everest White" has been coined for this cultivar, although the cultivar was neither marketed nor was its existence made public prior to the filing of the present U.S. Plant patent application.

The present cultivar is distinguished by having flowers of from seven to thirteen inches in diameter. These unusually large flowers can be cut and used for centerpiece displays, and last equally long with or without water. By comparison, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus Rose of China) flowers are two to six inches in diameter, and Hibiscus syriacus (Rose-of-Sharon or Althea) flowers are three to six inches in diameter.

In its natural growth habit in the Chicago area, the present cultivar may be distinguished from both its pollen parent `Giant Early White` and its seed parent `Little Red Riding Hood` in that the flowers of the parents typically range from nine to ten inches in diameter. These are about three inches smaller than the largest blooms of the present cultivar. The present cultivar has also completely overlapping petals, a feature exhibited by neither of its parents. The length of the blooming cycle is also longer for the present cultivar (i.e., 4-5 weeks) than for `Giant Early White` (3-4 weeks). The present cultivar is also easily distinguished from `Little Red Riding Hood`, which has fully red flowers. Another important difference is that the flowers of the present cultivar are observed to retain their flat shape for two full days, except when temperatures are exceptionally warm. Flowers of `Little Red Riding Hood` hold their shape only about a day and a half, while flowers of `Giant Early White` close the same day that they bloom. The height of mature specimens of the present cultivar in their natural growth habit range from about three feet to about five feet, as compared to 6-8 feet for `Giant Early White`.

The greatest number of flowers for the present cultivar was obtained in environments of half to full sun. The largest flowers were obtained at summer temperatures from 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Smaller flowers were observed to bloom at temperatures as low as 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Reproduction by root crown division consistently produces plants with identical, stable characteristics. A further botanical description of the new variety follows. Distingushing color characteristics are listed on the attached Plant Color Coding Sheet. The distinguishing characteristics listed thereon should not necessarily be assumed to be exhaustive. Although the listed characteristics are believed to be the primary distinguishing color characteristics of the cultivar, it is possible that others may become evident upon further observation and comparison with other cultivars. These descriptions were made from specimens reproduced and grown under casual backyard gardening conditions in suburban Chicago, Ill., and from specimens grown under greenhouse and outdoor conditions in suburban St. Louis, Mo. Except as noted below, no differences were observed between the two locations, except that specimens were observed to grow somewhat faster and the blooming period is somewhat longer under warmer conditions, as one might expect for plant specimens of this species. In the following description, color references are made to the Pantone by Letraset Color Product Selector (.COPYRGT. 1989 Pantone) except where general terms of ordinary significance are used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings clearly depict the new variety, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Actual flower, leaf, sepal, and bud colors may differ from flower, leaf, sepal, and bud colors in the photographs due to light reflectance.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of the Hibiscus mosheutos, `Morrison-Gilberg (I)` cultivar of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of freshly cut portions of the Hibiscus moseheutos, `Morrison-Gilberg (I)` cultivar of the present invention, showing the flower, leaves, and sepals surrounding flower buds in great detail.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Form: Numerous stalks grow upright from perennial roots.

Habit: Individual stalks with many leaves uniformly distributed on the stalks and numerous flowers bloom continuously. Rapid and strong stalk growth have flowers facing outward.

Productivity: Produces continuous new flower displays, vigorous and profuse.

Precocity: Elegant displays of flowers, each stalk displaying one new flower after another. On each stalk, as one flower closes and its petals fall off, a flower next to it and closer to the top of the stalk blooms, so that the displays appear to be continuous. The display periods may vary depending upon climate and the vigor of particular specimens.

Stalks: Mature presentations occur the first year. Strong and smooth skin covered, and hold many leaves and flowers securely. Staking is typically not required under normal full sun growing conditions. However, specimens grown in shaded sunlight produce stalks that are softer and that may require staking. New stalks emerge in May.

Temperature: Winter hardy during freezing winters. On 100 degree (Fahrenheit) days, the flowers bloom equally as they do during a mild day.

Insects: Negligible insect damage has occurred to date in any individual plant, even though no pesticides have been used, and no slugs have been observed on the plants.

Animals: Rodents, rabbits and squirrels have not been observed to bother the stalks or roots.

Rooting: The plants root easily without fertilizer and send out their roots quickly and securely.

Foliage: Large leaves evenly distributed vertically and horizontally on the stalks.

Leaves: Abundant and decorative in alternate order. Medium to dark green leaves with margin lengths of from three to eight inches in elongated heart form. Typical leaves are 61/2" long by about 3 to 31/2" wide at the base. Top color is Pantone 3302U, bottom is 555U. Shape is generally cordate, with somewhat irregular crenulate margins. Leaf tips are apiculate, bases are cordate, and venation is pinnate. Texture is matte. Petioles from two to four and one-half inches. No stipules.

Petiole color: Lighter green than the leaves, with some dusted rust color.

Height: Mature plants are from three to five feet in height.

Shape of plant at maturity: Rounded, almost globe-shaped.

THE FLOWERS

Buds: Shaped like a pointed egg and very large one to two days before blooming. White. Very large, can be over 3" in length. A typical bud measures about 3" in length by about 11/4" at its widest point.

Blooming habit: Continuous and free blooming.

Petals: Two to six inches long, five per flower.

Diameter of flower: A distinguishing feature of the variety, flowers are from seven to thirteen inches in diameter.

Number of flowers: Approximately 10-15 flowers per stalk in mature plants, with essentially flat appearance.

Shape: Circular and relatively flat with overlapping petals.

Filaments: Each of the approximately 15 filaments attaches to the large style projecting from the center of the flower. Approximately 1/8" to 1/4" in length.

Stamens: White, very numerous, extending from the style.

Pistil: Two to five inches long with the stamen and stigma attached.

Stigma: White, with five pollen receptors.

Style: White. About two inches long and supports the stigma.

Pollen: Light colored, whitish, and plentiful.

Shape of petal: Overlapping and broadly obovate (almost reniform) recurved at the base to form a small green star of revealed calyx, with overall circular shape.

Texture: Central one-fourth satiny; outer three-fourths velvety.

Aspect: Like fine kidskin in appearance and stronely self-supporting.

Color: White with red eye, Pantone 201U.

Calyx: Six sepals, medium green color.

Bractlets: About 11/2", medium green, Pantone 3308U.

Blooing period: Mid summer to frost with continuous color presentation. In suburban Chicago, the blooming period typically lasts from the end of July through August. Blooms can occur into September, depending on weather conditions. Container plants produce flowers longer, on lateral stems, as the main stems are cut back and laterals emerge.

Lastingness of the bloom: Individual blooms allowed to remain on the plant last approximately 1-3 days per bloom, typically two full days. Individual flowers hold their shape for about a day after cutting with about 2 to 3 inches of stem, with or without water, if not exposed to wind and heat, which can cause them to wilt and fade quickly. However, if buds almost ready to open are cut with about one foot of stem, the cuttings may be kept in water for 1-3 days and will open almost normally.

Peduncle: Two to four inch stiff pedicels (color Pantone 1685U) to support the flower during blooming and the seed pod formation later.

Fruit: Seeds produced, typical of the species.

Fragrance: Minimal.

Disease resistance: No disease problems have been noted on stalks, leaves or flowers.

Environmental conditions: The plants can stand drought or up to two inches of rainwater without adverse effects.

Winter dormancy: The plants lose their leaves at frost and stems die back to ground level.

Fertility: Midwest topsoil provides adequate nutrients without additional fertilizer.

Regularity of bearing: Consistent year-to-year flowering has been observed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Hibiscus