Forsythia cv. `Tinkle Bells`
A new cultivar of Forsythia intermedia named `Tinkle Bells` characterized by its floriferousness, its semi-dwarf, upright character, its downwardly directed flowers, and its leaves which are serrated only at their upper ends.
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This invention relates to a new cultivar of Forsythia intermedia named "Tinkle Bells", which is characterized especially by its semi-dwarf character, its upright growth habit, its pendulous flower buds and flowers, and the acute leaf tips on flowering wood foliage.
The new variety is a vegetative selection derived from a vegetative line of mutants, which had been produced in turn by subjected rooted cuttings of the parent Forsythia intermedia "Lynwood Gold" (F. intermedia "Spectabilis") to irradiation with 1,200 rad fast neutrons.
In 1968, three hundred cuttings of "Lynwood Gold" that had been potted and held in cold storage (38.degree. F.) for six weeks and then returned to the greenhouse for two days were irradiated with 1200 rad fast neutrons. One of the plants of this group that broke dormancy formed a shoot with variegated foliage. This plant was cut back repeatedly to induce branching and eventually formed shoots that exhibited different characteristics. Each shoot was propagated by stem cuttings over 10 vegetative generations of selection and propagation. From this plant population two vegetatively selected types and three seedlings were selected. Further propagation and testing of these selections over several more years were shown to be the stable and new forsythia varieties that are the subject of this and four other co-pending plant patent applications; viz:
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Ser. No. Name Type
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272,063 "Lemon-Screen" vegetative selection
273,489 "Tinkle Bells" vegetative selection
271,919 "Minikin" seedling
271,665 "Fairy Land" seedling
271,666 "Pygmy-Red" seedling
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Each differs greatly from the parent "Lynwood Gold" and also from one another.
"Tinkle Bells" was selected from a group of vegetatively propagated shoots because it was very floriferous and attractive when in bloom. Cuttings from this plant have been rooted in soil and asexually propagated, and its progeny have displayed homogenous and stable characteristics.
Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of the color as used in common speech are aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based on the R.H.S. Colour Chart, published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the new variety in color as grown in Knox County within the State of Tennessee.
FIG. 1 illustrates a five year old "Tinkle Bells" plant in spring bloom.
FIG. 2 shows flowered cut stems.
FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the flowers of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 illustrates the "Tinkle Bells" plant in summer foliage.
FIG. 5 is a closer view of the foliage shown in FIG. 4.
The following characteristics distinguish "Tinkle Bells" from its parent and other Forsythia cultivars:
THE PLANTAlthough "Tinkle Bells", like its parent "Lynwood Gold", exhibits an upright growth habit, the ultimate height of "Tinkle Bells" is 4 to 41/2 ft. The plant exhibits medium vigor and is hardy in Zone 6b or lower. Because of its upright habit, "Tinkle Bells" tends not to self propagate by natural layerage, but the plant expands by stooling, i.e., shoots arise from the ground around the base of the plant, and the stooling can be controlled with post-emergence herbicides. Its upright growth habit and flowering at an early age make "Tinkle Bells" suitable for container growth and forcing. "Tinkle Bells" has a number of landscape applications, particularly for border and low screen plantings. The plant requires minimal pruning and has disease and insect-resistant foliage.
Its parent, "Lynwood Gold", by contrast is tall and slender--a straight upright variety with erect stems and which attains a height of 6 ft. to 71/2 ft. at maturity.
SHOOTSThe stems of "Tinkle Bells" are yellow green when young and light brown when mature. The stems are rigid and the pith is sparsely lamellate between nodes.
The stems of the "Lynwood Gold" parent are green when young and brown when mature; they are a bit stiff; the pith at the nodes is lamellate, and on one year shoots, the stems between nodes are hollow.
FLOWER"Tinkle Bells" flower early with bright yellow flowers (Yellow 7B) which generally have four, but occasionally five or six petals; the corolla is 1/2 inch long, opening up to approximately a 45 degree angle with a total spread of 1/2 in. to 3/4 in. The pollen sacs of the stamen are located slightly below the stigmas of the short pistils. The plant generally produces two, but often four flowers per node on the flowering wood, which has internodes 1/2 to 11/2 in. long. Both the buds and resultant flowers are pendulous on upright stems.
The "Lynwood Gold" parent is fertile and has pistils that extend well above its pollen sacs, is late flowering and its medium sized flowers (about 1" to 11/2" in diameter) are almost evenly spaced on the stem. The flowers of "Lynwood Gold" are brilliant yellow (lighter than its parent, F. spectabilis). The corolla lobes of "Lynwood Gold" are reflexed and its petals are large, broad open and elliptic.
FOLIAGEThe "Tinkle Bells" leaves are medium green both in the young and mature stage. The leaves are simple elliptical, generally serrate, but only on the upper one-third, near the tip. The leaves are acute on flowering shoots and acuminate on vegetative shoots. The leaves are 1/2 in. wide and, including the petiole, are 2 in. to 3 in. long.
The leaves of the "Lynwood Gold" parent, on the other hand, are ovate lanceolate in shape and about 3" to 41/2" long and about 1" to 11/2" wide. Both young and old leaves are deep green in color.
To facilitate the comparison of the characteristics and features of "Tinkle Bells", the subject of this application, and its parent, "Lynwood Gold" and also with the four other new mutant offspring varieties of "Lynwood Gold" referred to above, there are attached hereto as Tables 1-5 comparative tabulations of the characteristics and properties of parent and its five offspring mutants that were developed from a single irradiated plant of "Lynwood Gold." Table 1 compares "Tinkle Bells" and its parent "Lynwood Gold". Table 2 compares "Tinkle Bells" and "Pygmy-Red". Table 3 compares "Tinkle Bells" and "Lemon-Screen". Table 4 compares "Tinkle Bells" and "Minikin". Table 5 compares "Tinkle Bells" and "Fairy Land".
TABLE 1
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S/N 273,489
TINKLE BELLS LYNWOOD GOLD
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Plant:
Habit Semi-dwarf; Upright
Tall, slender-Upright
straight & erect stems
Size, height
4'-41/2' 6'-71/2'
Size, width
Vigor Medium vigor
Hardiness Hardy Zone 6b
(or lower)
Productivity
Does not layer Fertile
naturally (replicates
from stools (no
seed pods observed)
Stems:
Color (young)
Yellow Green Green
Color (mature)
Light brown Brown
Rigidity Sparsely lamellate
A bit stiff;
between nodes - Rigid
pith nodes lamellate;
hollow between nodes
on one year shoots
Leaves:
Type Simple
Color:
(young) Medium green Deep Green
(mature) Medium green Deep Green
(fall) Faded green to yellow
Shape Elliptical ovate lanceolate
tip Acute on flower
shoots accuminate on
vegetative shoots
base
margins serrate on upper 1/3
near tip
Size:
length 2"-3" (with petiole)
3-41/2"
width 1/2" 1-11/2"
Venation Pinnate
Flower:
Date of Early Late
Flowering
Size: width
1/2"-3/4" at 45.degree. angle
1"-11/2" (medium)
Color: Bright Yellow (7 B)
Brillant Yellow
(Lighter then its
parent Spectabilis)
Corolla:
length 1/2" open to 45.degree. angle
lobes not reflexed during
Reflexed
prime
Petals: number
4; occasionally 5 or 6
Large, broad, open
Elliptic
Pistils: short: anthers slightly
Extend well above
below stigma portion
pollen sacs (anthers)
of pistil of stamens
Number per node:
2; often 4 per node
Insertion angle
buds & flowers
on upright stems:
pendulous
Internodes:
1/2"-11/2" Flowers almost
evenly spaced
on stems
Stress Resistance:
Disease and insect
Utility Aspects:
Can force flowering
suitable for container
culture
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TABLE 2
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S/N 273,489 S/N: 271,666
TINKLE BELLS PYGMY RED
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Plant:
Habit Semi-dwarf; Upright
Low, loose graceful
arching to ground
Size, height
4'-41/2' 31/2'-41/2'
Size, width 5'-6'
Vigor Medium vigor Good vigor
Hardiness Hardy Zone 6b Hardy Zone 6b
(or lower) (or lower)
Productivity
Does not layer Readily roots where
naturally (replicates
branches touch
from stools (no
ground few seed pods
seed pods observed)
Stems:
Color (young)
Yellow Green High anthocyanin
Color (mature)
Light brown Purple Red (59 A)
Rigidity Sparsely lamellate
Flexible lamellate
between nodes - Rigid
between nodes
Leaves:
Type Simple Simple
Color:
(young) Medium green Dark Green
(mature) Medium green Dark Green
(fall) Faded green to yellow
Anthocyanin (maroon)
expressed in full sun
Shape Elliptical Lanceolate (few lobed
leaves on vegetative
shoots)
tip Acute on flower
Accuminate
shoots accuminate on
vegetative shoots
base Attenuate
margins serrate on upper 1/3
Serrate
near tip
Size:
length 2"-3" (with petiole)
2"- 21/2" on flowering
wood; to 23/4" on
vegatative wood
width 1/2" 0.3"-0.4" on flowering
wood; to 1" on
vegetative wood
Venation Pinnate Pinnate
Flower:
Date of Early Intermediate
Flowering
Size: width
1/2"-3/4" 45.degree. angle
11/4"-11/2"
Color: Bright Yellow (7 B)
Yellow (7A)
Corolla:
length 1/2" open to 45.degree. angle
lobes not reflexed during
Narrow
prime
Petals: number
4; occasionally 5 or 6
4 - sometimes 5
Pistils: short: anthers slightly
Extend 2/25"-3/25"
below stigma portion
above pollen sacs of
of pistil stamens
Number per node:
2; often 4 per node
2
Insertion angle
buds & flowers
on upright stems:
pendulous
Internodes:
1/2"-11/2" 1"-11/2" (11/2" even on
fast growing shoots)
Stress Resistance:
Disease and insect
disease and insect
Utility Aspects:
Can force flowering
suitable for container
culture
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TABLE 3
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S/N 273,489 S/N 272,063
TINKLE BELLS LEMON SCREEN
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Plant:
Habit Semi-dwarf; Upright
Tall, open and
graceful; Upright, fan
shape; vigorous; open
foliage
Size, height
4'-41/2' Up to 10'
Size, width Hardy Zone 6b
(or lower)
Vigor Medium vigor Vigorous
Hardiness Hardy Zone 6b
(or lower)
Productivity
Does not layer Abundant Flowers/
naturally (replicates
highly sterile/pruned
from stools (no
wood branches
seed pods observed)
quickly
Stems:
Color (young)
Yellow Green
Color (mature)
Light brown Yellow
Rigidity Sparsely lamellate
Slightly lamellate
between nodes - Rigid
betweeen nodes
Leaves:
Type Simple Simple
Color:
(young) Medium green Yellow green 151 B
or Chartreuse (appear
after flowering)
(mature) Medium green Normal green
(Yellow-Green 144)
whitish blotches
(fall) Faded green to yellow
Greyed Purple 187 B
Shape Elliptical
tip Acute on flower
Accuminate
shoots accuminate on
vegetative shoots
base Attenuate
margins serrate on upper 1/3
Serrate
near tip
Size:
length 2"-3" (with petiole)
Not distinguishing
width 1/2" Not distinguishing
Venation Pinnate Pinnate
Flower:
Date of Early Early
Flowering
Size: width
1/2"-3/4" 45.degree. angle
11/2"-13/4"
Color: Bright Yellow (7 B)
Yellow (6 C)
Corolla:
length 1/2" open to 45.degree. angle
lobes not reflexed during
Somewhat reflexed
prime
Petals: number
4; occasionally 5 or 6
4, sometimes fasciated
Pistils: short: anthers slightly
aborted stamens &/or
below stigma portion
pistils
of pistil
Number per node:
2; often 4 per node
4 to 8
Insertion angle
buds & flowers
on upright stems:
pendulous
Internodes:
1/2"-11/2" 1" 2" long on
flowering wood
Stress Resistance:
Disease and insect
Summer foliage
disease & insect
resistant
Utility Aspects:
Can force flowering
Summer pruning leads
suitable for container
to shoot with
culture chartreuse leaves
(young)
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TABLE 4
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S/N 273,489 S/N 271,919
TINKLE BELLS MINIKIN
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Plant:
Habit Semi-dwarf; Upright
Small stature, fine
textured; small leaves
and small stems;
densely foliated
Size, height
4'-41/2' 2'-21/2'
Size, width 3'-4'
Vigor Medium vigor Good vigor but slow
growth
Hardiness Hardy Zone 6b Zone 6b (or lower)
(or lower)
Productivity
Does not layer Layers naturally
naturally (replicates
Abundant seed pods
from stools (no
seed pods observed)
Stems:
Color (young)
Yellow Green Light green
Color (mature)
Light brown Brownish green
Rigidity Sparsely lamellate
Ascending strongly
between nodes - Rigid
lamellate between
nodes
Leaves:
Type Simple Simple
Color:
(young) Medium green Bright green to dark
green
(mature) Medium green Bright green to dark
green
(fall) Faded green to yellow
Fading green until
leaf drop
Shape Elliptical Linear
tip Acute on flower
Accuminate
shoots accuminate on
vegetative shoots
base Attenuate
margins serrate on upper 1/3
Lightly serrate
near tip
Size:
length 2"-3" (with petiole)
On vegetative shoots-
11/2" attached to 1/2"
long slender petiole;
smaller on flowering
shoots
width 1/2" On vegetative
shoots - 1/4";
Venation Pinnate Pinnate
Flower:
Date of Early Intermediate
Flowering
Size: width
1/2"-3/4" 45.degree. angle
1/2"-3/4" (cup shaped)
fully reflexed
Color: Bright Yellow (7 B)
Yellow (9 A)
Corolla:
length 1/2" open to 45.degree. angle
lobes not reflexed during
strongly reflexed,
prime very small
Petals: number
4; occasionally 5 or 6
4:- short and recurved
Pistils: short: anthers slightly
Short; 1/25" below
below stigma portion
pollen sacs of stamens
of pistil
Number per node:
2; often 4 per node
2-4
Insertion angle
buds & flowers
on upright stems:
pendulous
Internodes:
1/2"-11/2" Short (Flowering
shoots 1/4-3/4"
Vegetative shoots
up to 2")
Stress Resistance:
Disease and insect
Doesn't require same
degree of winter
protection as most
container grown
plants of genre
Utility Aspects:
Can force flowering
Blooming can be
suitable for container
forced. Expecially
culture suited for container
culture.
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TABLE 5
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S/N 273,489 S/N 271,665
TINKLE BELLS FAIRY LAND
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Plant:
Habit Semi-dwarf; Upright
Small overall & fine
textured:
Closely spaced
flowers & leaves
Dense (young) foliage
Size, height
4'-41/2' 3'-4'
Size, width 5'-6'
Vigor Medium vigor Good vigor for size
Hardiness Hardy Zone 6b Zone 6b (or lower)
(or lower)
Productivity
Does not layer Few seed pods
naturally (replicates
from stools (no
seed pods observed)
Stems:
Color (young)
Yellow Green Light green
Color (mature)
Light brown Brownish green
Rigidity Sparsely lamellate
Very flexible lamellate
between nodes - Rigid
between nodes
Leaves:
Type Simple Simple
Color:
(young) Medium green Medium green (fairly
light)
(mature) Medium green Medium green (fairly
light)
(fall) Faded green to yellow
Mostly faded yellow
Shape Elliptical Lanceolate
tip Acute on flower
Accuminate
shoots accuminate on
vegetative shoots
base Attenuate
margins serrate on upper 1/3
On flowering wood;
near tip entire
On vegetative wood;
serrate top 1/3
Size:
length 2"-3" (with petiole)
On flowering wood:
11/2"-21/2"
On vegatative shoots:
about 3"
width 1/2" On flowering wood:
0.2"-0.4"
On vegatative shoots
0.5-0.6"
Venation Pinnate Pinnate
Flower:
Date of Early Intermediate
Flowering
Size: width
1/2"-3/4" 45.degree. angle
3/4"-11/4"
Color: Bright Yellow (7 B)
Yellow (6 A)
Corolla:
length 1/2" open to 45.degree. angle
lobes not reflexed during
Reflexed, small
prime
Petals: number
4; occasionally 5 or 6
Generally 4-many
have 5, 6, 7 and 8 on
single corolla
Pistils: short: anthers slightly
Extend 3/25" to 4/25 "
below stigma portion
above pollen sacs
of pistil (anthers) of the
stamen
Number per node:
2; often 4 per node
2-4
Insertion angle
buds & flowers
on upright stems:
pendulous
Internodes:
1/2"-11/2" 1/4" to about 1"
Stress Resistance:
Disease and insect
Utility Aspects:
Can force flowering
Very well suited for
suitable for container
container culture
culture
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Claims
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Forsythia intermedia named `Tinkle Bells`, substantially as shown and described herein.
- van de Werken (1988) "Mutant Offspring", American Nurseryman, vol. 167, No. 1 (Jan. 1, 1988) pp. 127-132. Fincham, J. R. S., "Ionizing Radiation", Genetics, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc., Boston, 1983, pp. 326-333. Decourtye, L., (1978) "Utilisation de la Mutagenese pour l'Obtention de Nouvelles Varietes d'Arbustes Ornementaux", (DIALOG English Abstract) Comptes Rendus des Seances de l'Academie d'Agriculture de France, vol. 64 (8), pp. 664-669. "Arnoldia," vol. 31, No. 2, The Arnold Arboretum, Mar. 1971, pp. 41-63. "Flowering Shrubs," Zucker, Isabel, 1966, D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., p. 380. "Hilliers Manual of Trees & Shrubs," 2nd American Edition, Hilliers & Sons Ltd., 1979, A. S. Barnes & Co., Cranbury, N.J., p. 575. "Hortus Third, A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada," Staff of L. H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, 1976, MacMillan Publishing Co., New York, N.Y., p. 1290. "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants--Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Propagation and Uses," Dirr, Michael A., 1983, Stipes Publishing Co., Champaign, Ill., p. 826.
Type: Grant
Filed: Nov 21, 1988
Date of Patent: Jul 2, 1991
Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation (Knoxville, TN)
Inventor: Hendrik van de Werken (Knoxville, TN)
Primary Examiner: James R. Feyrer
Attorney: William H. Elliott, Jr.
Application Number: 7/273,489
International Classification: A01H 500;
