Variety of hydrangea plant named ‘JON01’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of hydrangea plant named ‘JON01’ characterized by its distinctive color of flowers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea, botanically known as Hydrangea L. macrophylla and further known by the varietal name ‘JON01’. The plant is used primarily as an ornamental. The variety ‘JON01’ has been asexually reproduced by cuttings. The novel flower color was consistent through several generations, and plants remain true to type after multiple generations through asexual reproduction via cuttings. The new variety is a sport mutation of the variety ‘Taube’, discovered in the summer of 2001 by the breeder Jos de Jong in the breeder's nursery, Gebr. De Jong Handelskwekerijen BV in Boskoop, The Netherlands. The parental cultivar is sold under the Breeder's reference name “Taube.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be among the unique characteristics of ‘JON01’. These characteristics distinguish ‘JON01’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

• • 1. Different color of flowers, with the comparator (Taube) being dark pink to rosy-pink and this variety being dark rosy-red.

Plants of the cultivar ‘JON01’ have not been observed under all possible environmental and cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, length of day, irrigation amount and frequency, and/or fertilizer rate without, however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is depicted in the accompanying colored photographs in which:

FIG. 1 shows a mature potted plant of the new variety;

The photograph depicts the overall appearance of the new hydrangea showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the Detailed Botanical Description, which more accurately describe the actual colors.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the new cultivar.

Botanical Name      Hydrangea L. macrophylla
Varietal Name       ‘JON01’
Parentage:          Mutation of “Taube”
Asexual Propagation Vegetatively by cuttings
Inflorescence:
Color midzone       59B/60A (red-purple group);
upper surface -     RHS 1995
Fertile Flowers     star-shaped, diameter 7 mm, 4-
                    6 petals; petal arrangement
                    separated, color violet (RHS
                    85B, 1995) and white in a
                    stripe pattern from base to
                    apex, shape narrow cross
                    section deep concave; pedicel
                    length 2.2 mm, color pink
Sterile Flowers     round-shaped, diameter 50
                    mm, 4-6 petals, upper profile
                    flat, lower profile slight
                    concave; petal arrangement
                    touching, color of upper side
                    purplish red (RHS 71B, 1995),
                    color of lower side purplish
                    red (RHS 72D, 1995), shape
                    rounded, basel spot absent;
                    pedicel length 20 mm, color
                    pink (RHS 72D, 1995)
Development:
Resistance to       Similar to other H.
Disease -           macrophylla varieties;
                    examined plants show no signs
                    of pest or disease resistance or
                    tolerance than other hydrangea
                    machrophylla
Age and Growing     six first year plants raised in
Conditions          mulch beds, pH of 6.0, in full
                    sun with some afternoon
                    shade. Plants were of
                    generally healthy appearance
                    with some scorching and
                    disfiguration from extremely
                    hot conditions
Plant Size
Plant Height        300 mm
Plant Width         250 mm
Habit               thick, rounded, branching
                    arrangement irregular from
                    leaf axil
Leaf Characteristics
Length              110-130 mm
Width               82-90 mm
Vein                pattern prominent inset, cross
                    section convex, undulation of
                    margin slight
Color               Green upper side (RHS 137A,
                    1995), green lower side (RHS
                    137B, 1995), veins green
                    (RHS 144B, 1995).
Petioles
Texture             Smooth
Color               Green (RHS 144B, 1995)
Length              13-18 mm
Stem
Width               5-8 mm
Texture             Smooth
Color               Green (RHS 144C, 1995), with
                    some small burgundy/brown
                    dots
Bud
Shape               Round
Color               striped violet (RHS 85B, 1995)
                    and white
Stamens
Number of anthers   seven
Color of pollen     orange
Length              1 mm
Pistil
Number of pistils   three
Color               Yellow
Fruit               no fruit produced
Fragrance           very weak to absent, leaf
                    fragrance weak to absent

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

‘JON01’ is a mutation of the taube and differs from taube by the color of the flowers, with the comparator being dark pink to rosy pink and the present invention characterized by flowers being dark rosy-red.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of hydrangea plant, substantially as shown and described.