plant named ‘Smithopus4’

A new and distinct cultivar of intersectional hybrid (Itoh) Paeonia plant named ‘Smithopus4’ is disclosed, characterized by large lemon-yellow flowers with slight red streaks which are semi-double to fully double form and carried on strong stems, which present the flowers above and beyond the foliage. Plants have dissected foliage, which lasts through the fall and is disease resistant. Plants have a symmetrical, compact plant habit/shape which is excellent in the landscape. The new variety is an intersectional hybrid (Itoh) Paeonia normally produced as an outdoor ornamental garden plant.

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Description

Latin name of the genus and species: Paeonia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Smithopus4’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor to produce new Paeonia hybrid cultivars with strong stems, large panicles, compact habits, and attractive flower aging. The crossing resulting in the new cultivar was made in summer of 2011 in a backyard in Windham, NH.

The seed parent is the cultivar Paeonia ‘Martha W’, unpatented. The pollen parent Paeonia ‘Smith's Yellow’, an unpatented tree peony hybrid. The new cultivar was found and selected by the inventor in 2017 in the same backyard in Windham, NH. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Smithopus4’ was first performed at a research laboratory during 2018 in the Netherlands by tissue culture. Through subsequent confidential propagation, multiple additional generations have been reproduced, having shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Smithopus4’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Smithopus4’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Smithopus4’ as a new and distinct Paeonia cultivar:

    • 1. New cultivar is an intersectional hybrid (Itoh) peony from a cross of an herbaceous peony (lactiflora) with a hybrid tree peony.
    • 2. It is a sterile first-generation hybrid with triploid (3n) ploidy level.
    • 3. New cultivar has large lemon-yellow colored flowers with very slight red streaks of semi-double to fully double form carried on strong stems, which present the flowers above and beyond the foliage
    • 4. New cultivar has very attractive, dissected foliage, which lasts through the fall and is also highly disease resistant.
    • 5. New cultivar has a symmetrical, compact plant habit/shape and makes an ideal landscape plant.

PARENT COMPARISONS

Plants of ‘Smithopus4’ are similar to plants of the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘Smithopus4’ differ in the following:

    • 1. Seed parent has fully herbaceous stems and growth habit, whereas the new cultivar has stronger semi-woody to woody stems and many above-ground buds, yet grows primarily as an herbacous plant.
    • 2. Seed parent has pink flowers of single form with 11-13 petals, whereas the new cultivar has semi-double to double lemon-yellow colored flowers with slight red steaks and many more petals (about 30 to 40).
    • 3. Seed parent blooms 1-2 weeks later than the new cultivar.
    • 4. Seed parent has many lateral flowers per stem, whereas the new cultivar has only 1 or 2.
    • 5. Seed parent is highly fertile both ways, whereas the new cultivar is a sterile triploid

Plants of ‘Smithopus4’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘Smithopus4’ differ in the following:

    • 1. The new variety has lemon-yellow colored flowers with slight red streaks whereas ‘Weipa’ has red flowers
    • 2. The pollen parent has flowers with a single row of petals, whereas the new variety has two rows or more.
    • 3. Pollen parent is a woody tree peony hybrid that has winter hardy, woody stems, whereas the new variety has semi-woody stems and are much less winter hardy.
    • 4. Pollen parent has more upright, shrub-like plant and growth habit, whereas the new variety has mostly herbaceous habit.
    • 5. Pollen parent blooms 1-2 weeks before the new variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of ‘Smithopus4’ can be compared to plants of the commercial cultivar Paeonia intersectional hybrid ‘Magical Mystery Tour’, unpatented. Plants of ‘Smithopus4’ are similar to plants of ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘Smithopus4’ differ in the following:

    • 1. ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ has coral to creamy pink flowers; the new cultivar has lemon yellow flowers with slight red streaks.
    • 2. The new cultivar also is more floriferous than ‘Magical Mystery Tour’, as a result of having more flowers from lateral stems.
    • 3. The new cultivar has flowers that are more double than ‘Magical Mystery Tour’.

Plants of ‘Smithopus4’ can be compared to plants of the commercial cultivar Paeonia intersectional hybrid ‘Singing in the Rain II’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,374. Plants of ‘Smithopus4’ are similar to plants of ‘Singing in the Rain II’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘Smithopus4’ differ in the following:

    • 1. ‘Singing in the Rain II’ has cream/yellow to light orange petals; petals of the new cultivar are lemon yellow with slight red streaks.
    • 2. ‘Singing in the Rain Il’ has smaller flowers than the new cultivar.
    • 3. ‘Singing in the Rain II’ has more flowers per stem than the new cultivar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘Smithopus4’ grown in a field in Fairfield, CT. This plant is approximately 3 years old.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close-up of a mature flower of ‘Smithopus4’.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Smithopus4’ plants grown outdoors in Camarillo, CA. The plants were 2 to 3 years old from large tubers, grown in 5-gallon pots. Temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 10° C. at night to 12° C. to 30° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

  • Botanical classification: Paeonia hybrid ‘Smithopus4’.

PROPAGATION

  • Typically by shoot tissue culture.
  • Root description: Freely branching storage root with numerous feeder roots. Roots various shades of tan and brown, not accurately measured with a color chart.
  • Tubers: Elongated, typically 4 to 10 cm long and 2 to 4 cm in diameter. Colored near Greyed-Orange 166C.

PLANT

  • Growth habit: Vigorous perennial herbaceous shrub. Compact growth habit.
  • Height: Approximately 65 to 75 cm at opening of first flower.
  • Plant spread: Approximately 70 cm.
  • Stems:
  • Length: Approximately 40 to 50 cm.
  • Diameter: Average range 8 to 10 mm.
  • Strength: Strong.
  • Internode length: 5 to 7 cm, highly variable.
  • Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 137D.
  • Texture: Glabrous.
  • Age of plant described: Approximately 2 to 3 years.

FOLIAGE

  • Leaf: Alternate, pinnate compound, with an overall circular to ovate shape, which is slightly wider than long. Average fully expanded leaf 20 cm long and 28 cm wide, excluding the petiole. Horizontal to semi-erect attitude.
  • Primary leaflets:
      • Shape.—Obovate.
      • Quantity and Arrangement.—3 primary leaflets further divided into 3 to 5 deeply divided secondary leaflets. All leaflets sessile.
      • Length.—Average 9 cm.
      • Width.—Average 10 cm.
      • Apex.—Acute.
      • Base.—Attenuate.
      • Margin.—Deeply incised.
      • Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.
      • Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.
      • Appearance of top surface.—Matte.
      • Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.
      • Aspect.—Flat to very slightly reflexed downward.
  • Individual secondary leaflet blades:
      • Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate, variably incised.
      • Apex.—Acute.
      • Base.—Attenuate.
      • Margin.—Deeply incised.
      • Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.
      • Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.
      • Appearance of top surface.—Matte.
      • Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.
      • Aspect.—Flat to very minutely reflexed downward.
      • Color.—Emerging. Upper side: Near RHS Green 143C blotched Greyed-Purple 187B, mainly along margins. Under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Infrequently lightly blotched Greyed-Purple 187B. Young. Upper side: Near RHS Green 143B. Under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Mature. Upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Under side: Near RHS Green 138A.
      • Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.
      • Petiole.—Length: Average range 8 to 12 cm. Diameter: 5 to 6 mm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C heavily flushed Greyed-Purple 187B. Texture: Glabrous.

FLOWER

  • Natural flowering season: Flowering begins early May in Southern California. Flowering extends throughout the Summer, depending on environmental conditions.
  • Inflorescence type and habit: Semi-double to fully double form with conspicuous stamens. 3 to 4 loose whorls. Shape regularly round. Erect flower attitude.
  • Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 7 to 10 days on the plant. Varies considerably with environmental conditions.
  • Quantity of flowers: 4 to 5 per stem. 5 to 7 flowering stems per plant.
  • Flower size:
      • Diameter.—Approximately 11 cm.
      • Depth.—Approximately 6.5 cm. (Flower height).
  • Peduncle:
      • Length.—Approximately 20 cm.
      • Diameter.—Approximately 5 mm.
      • Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A, flushed Red 53D.
      • Strength.—Strong.
      • Texture.—Glabrous.
  • Petals:
      • Petal arrangement.—3 to 4 loose whorls of about 30 to 40 petals.
      • Size.—Length: Average 5.5 cm. Width: Average 4 cm.
      • Shape.—Obovate.
      • Margin.—Entire.
      • Apex.—Emarginate.
      • Base.—Broad attenuate.
      • Texture.—Smooth, glabrous all surfaces.
      • Aspect.—Moderately reflexed downward.
  • Color:
      • Petals.—Opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow 2A. Slight streaks near Red 53A. Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow 2B. Slight streaks near Red 53A. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow 3C. Slight streaks near Red 53A. Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow 3C.
  • Petaloids: Not present.
  • Bud:
      • Shape.—Oblate.
      • Length.—Approximately 1.8 cm.
      • Diameter.—Approximately 2.5 cm.
      • Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A flushed Red 53C.
  • Sepals:
      • Quantity.—2 to 4.
      • Length.—2 to 3 cm.
      • Width.—2 cm.
      • Shape.—Deltate.
      • Aspect.—Flat.
      • Attitude.—Horizontal.
      • Apex.—Acute.
      • Base.—Truncate.
      • Margin.—Entire.
      • Color.—Interior Surface: RHS Green 137C. Exterior Surface: RHS Green 137C.
      • Texture.—Glabrous.
  • Fragrance: Light, honeylike.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

  • Androecium:
  • Stamens:
      • Quantity.—80 to 100.
      • Length.—15 to 20 mm.
      • Color.—Yellow 6B.
  • Anthers:
      • Shape.—Linear or curled.
      • Length.—3 to 4 mm.
      • Color.—Yellow 12A.
  • Gynoecium:
  • Pistil:
      • Type.—Compound. Petaloid, stigma only.
      • Number.—3.
      • Carpel length.—1.5 cm.
      • Carpel width.—1.1 cm.
      • Openness of disc.—Partly open.
      • Stigma.—Petaloid. 5 mm long and 4 mm in diameter. Very hard. Shape: Irregular circular. Color: Near RHS Yellow 7C.
      • Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

  • Disease and pest resistance: Observed resistance to foliar diseases of Paeonia. No additional resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of Paeonia has been observed.
  • Temperature tolerance: Typically USDA Zones 3 to 8.
  • Fruit/seed production: Not observed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Paeonia plant named ‘Smithopus4’ as herein illustrated and described.

Patent History
Patent number: PP37216
Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 9, 2025
Date of Patent: Jan 13, 2026
Inventor: Donald R. Smith (Fairfield, CT)
Primary Examiner: Kent L Bell
Application Number: 19/264,077
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Peony (PLT/316)
International Classification: A01H 5/02 (20180101); A01H 6/00 (20180101);