plant named ‘BullRudihir 121’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Rudbeckia plant having a compact growth habit and red-brown, double flowers.

Description

Botanical classification: Rudbeckia hirta L.

Varietal denomination: ‘BullRudihir 121’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Rudbeckia plant known by the varietal name ‘BullRudihir 121’. The new variety was discovered in August of 2021 in Gönnebek, Germany as the result of a planned breeding program with the purposes of providing Rudbeckia plants with an improved, more uniform and compact growth habit, better branching, attractive foliage, and red colored, double flowers. The new variety is the result of a cross between an unpatented Rudbeckia hirta L. variety having an internal breeder's reference of “BR 06-2020” (female parent) and an unpatented Rudbeckia hirta L. variety having an internal breeder's reference of “BR 07-2020” (male parent) from the breeder's own collection. The new variety was first asexually reproduced via in-vitro tissue culture cuttings in Gönnebek, Germany in September of 2021. The new variety is similar to its parental varieties in botanical classification, but exhibits red-brown colored flowers, increased branching, more compact growth, and more attractive foliage than both of its parental varieties. Further, ‘BullRudihir 121’ exhibits double flowers that distinguish it from its female parent and earlier flowering and smaller leaves that distinguish the new variety from its male parent.

When ‘BullRudihir 121’ is compared to Rudbeckia hirta L. variety named ‘Cherry Brandy’ (unpatented), ‘BullRudihir 121’ is similar to ‘Cherry Brandy’ in botanical classification, but ‘BullRudihir 121’ exhibits double flowers, as well as more uniform growth with increased self-branching, improved overall plant quality, and more attractive foliage than ‘Cherry Brandy’. Further, the following characteristics distinguish ‘BullRudihir 121’ when generally compared to other Rudbeckia varieties known to the breeder:

• • Medium sized, double, red-brown flowers with a brown center;
  • Good self-branching;
  • An upright, compact, short, and very uniform growth habit;
  • Healthy, green foliage; and
  • Long bloom time.
    The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive asexual propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety at 18 weeks of age, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new variety as the result of asexual reproductions performed via in vitro tissue culture cuttings carried out in Gönnebek, Germany. Plants of the new variety were grown outdoors in 21 cm (4 liter) pots under normal field production conditions. The color readings and measurements were observed outdoors under natural light on 18 week old plants in Gönnebek, Germany. Color references are primarily to The 2015 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, Sixth Edition, except where terms of ordinary significance are used.

PLANT

• Time to initiate roots: About 7-10 days at approximately 18° C.
• Time to develop roots: About 35-38 days at approximately 16-18° C.
• Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting: About 11-12 weeks in a 21 cm container.
• Rooting habit: Exhibits numerous roots of medium thickness that are freely branching and healthy in appearance.
• Plant height: 35.0-45.0 cm.
• Plant width: 40.0-50.0 cm.
• Vigor: Medium, with an upright, compact, and uniform growth habit.
• Disease/pest resistance: Nothing unusual noted to date.
• Temperature tolerance: From −3 to +40° C.
• Drought tolerance: Average.
• Branching habit: Exhibits one dominant strong branch with several lateral side branches. The lateral branches are upright, forming an attractive habit.
• Branches (flowering stems):
  • • Number per plant.—15-30.
    • Length.—10.0-40.0 cm.
    • Diameter.—5.0-10.0 mm.
    • Internode length.—2.0-10.0 cm.
    • Angle.—Upright and outward.
    • Strength.—Strong.
    • Texture.—Pubescence present.
    • Color.—Close to Yellow-Green Group RHS 144A to 144B.
• Foliage:
  • • Arrangement.—Single.
    • Leaf.—Length: 5.0-25.0 cm. Width: 1.5-10.0 cm. Shape: Oblanceolate. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Attenuate to acute. Margin: Dentate and undulate. Texture: Upper surface: Rough, with pubescence present. Lower surface: Rough, with pubescence present. Color: Young leaves: Upper surface: Close to Green Group RHS 137B. Lower surface: Close to Green Group RHS 137C. Mature leaves: Upper surface: Close to Green Group RHS 137B to 137C. Lower surface: Close to Green Group RHS 137D. Petiole: None present. Veins: Venation type: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: Close to Yellow-Green Group RHS 145C. Lower surface: Close to Yellow-Green Group RHS 145A.

INFLORESCENCE

• Bud:
  • • Diameter.—1.5-4.0 cm.
    • Length.—2.5-6.0 cm.
    • Color.—Close to Greyed-Purple Group RHS 183C before opening.
• Appearance: Elliptic-shaped ray florets and tubular-shaped disc florets.
• Natural flowering season: Flowering occurs from June-October in Gönnebek, Germany, beginning approximately 10-12 weeks after planting.
• Average number of inflorescences per plant: 15-30.
• Average number of inflorescences per branch: 1-6.
• Disc and ray floret arrangement: Disc florets are arranged in the middle of the receptacle of the composite, double, freely flowering plant, with numerous ray florets extending outwardly therefrom.
• Fragrance: Sweet.
• Inflorescence:
  • • Diameter.—6.0-11.0 cm.
    • Height (depth).—2.0-6.0 cm.
    • Diameter of disc.—1.0-2.0 cm.
    • Receptacle height.—1.0-1.5 cm.
    • Receptacle diameter.—4.0-7.0 cm.
• Ray florets:
  • • Number per inflorescence.—Numerous; too many to quantify.
    • Arrangement.—Numerous whorls; too many to quantify.
    • Length.—4.0-7.0 cm.
    • Width.—1.0-2.0 cm.
    • Shape.—Elliptical.
    • Apex.—Emarginate.
    • Base.—Acute.
    • Margin.—Entire.
    • Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth and glabrous. Lower surface: Rough.
    • Color.—When opening: Upper surface: Close to Greyed-Red Group RHS 182A. Lower surface: Close to Greyed-Red Group RHS 182B. At maturity: Upper surface: Close to Greyed-Purple Group RHS 183C. Lower surface: Close to Greyed-Red Group RHS 182B. Ground color description: Close to Greyed-Purple Group RHS 183C.
    • Venation.—Appearance: Parallel. Color: Upper surface: Same color as the florets. Lower surface: Same color as the florets.
• Disc florets:
  • • Number per inflorescence.—Numerous; too many to quantify.
    • Arrangement.—In the center of receptacle.
    • Length.—5.0-8.0 mm.
    • Width.—About 1.0 mm.
    • Shape.—Tubular.
    • Apex.—Five-pointed.
    • Color.—Immature: Close to Brown Group RHS 200A. At maturity: Close to Brown Group RHS 200A.
• Phyllaries:
  • • Number per inflorescence.—25-32.
    • Arrangement.—In three whorls.
    • Length.—1.0-3.0 cm.
    • Width.—3.0-10.0 mm.
    • Shape.—Lanceolate.
    • Apex.—Elongated oval.
    • Base.—Fused.
    • Margin.—Undulate.
    • Texture.—Upper surface: Rough, with pubescence present. Lower surface: Rough, with pubescence present.
    • Color.—Immature: Upper surface: Close to Green Group RHS 138A. Lower surface: Close to Green Group RHS 138B. At maturity: Upper surface: Close to Green Group RHS 138A. Lower surface: Close to Green Group RHS 138B.
• Reproductive organs:
• Androecium:
  • • Presence.—On disc florets.
    • Number (per floret).—Numerous; too many to quantify.
    • Filament length.—1.0-2.0 mm.
    • Filament color.—Close to Brown Group RHS 200A.
    • Anther.—Shape: Oval. Length: 1.0 mm. Color: Close to Brown Group RHS 200A.
• Pollen:
  • • Color.—Close to Yellow-Orange Group RHS 17A.
    • Amount.—Plentiful — too much to quantify.
• Gynoecium:
  • • Presence.—On disc and ray florets.
    • Pistil length.—About 2.0 mm.
    • Stigma.—Shape: Two-parted. Color: Close to Brown Group RHS 200A.
    • Style.—Length: 1.0-2.0 mm. Color: Close to Brown Group RHS 200A.
• Seeds:
  • • Overall size.—Approximately 2.0 mm.
    • Color.—Close to Black Group RHS 202A.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Rudbeckia plant named ‘BullRudihir 121’, as is herein illustrated and described.