Heath plant named Happy

- Bay City Flower Co.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of heath plant named Erica persoluta `Happy`, a seedling on unknown pollen and seed parentage, discovered in a field of Erica persoluta, which is distinguished from Erica persoluta and other varieties known to me by its early flowering habit, dense and compact appearance, natural short growth habit, orchid colored blooms that cover the plume from the base of the stem all the way to the tip of the plant, and its tight, narrow and erect plumes spike-like flower clusters.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of the Ericaceae family which has been named Erica persoluta `Happy` by the assignee of the invention. This new heather variety was discovered by the inventory as a seedling of unknown pollen and seed parentage growing in a cultivated field of Erica persoluta. The new variety was noticed because of its early flowering habit, dense and compact appearance, natural short growth habit, orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant, and its tight, narrow and erect spike-like flower clusters.

The new variety is desirable for potted plant culture because of it natural compact, dwarfish growth habit which requires minimal pruning to achieve the abundant branching and full, dense appearance desired.

The distinguishing characteristics of my new variety which differentiate it from Erica persoluta and other varieties known to me are:

1. early bloom time of October through mid January,

2. short, dense, compact growth habit,

3. natural abundant branching with minimal pruning,

4. orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant, and,

5. tight, narrow and erect spike-like flower clusters.

The distingushing characteristics of my new variety which differentiate it from Erica persoluta, `Heidi` and `Rosemarie` are bloom time and color blooms.

  ______________________________________                                    
                                       ERICA                                   
     `HAPPY`     `HEIDI`  `ROSEMARIE`  PERSOLUTA                               
     ______________________________________                                    
     Bloom Oct.-     Mid Dec.-                                                 
                              Dec.-Feb.  March                                 
     Season                                                                    
           Mid Jan.  Mid Feb.                                                  
     Bloom 78C-78D   71C-71D  66D        70A-70B                               
     Color                                                                     
     ______________________________________                                    

Since the inventor's discovery of the new plant, the assignee, under the direction and control of the inventor at Half Moon Bay, has asexually reproduced the new cultivar through successive generations by means of cuttings and has found that its following characteristics remain true from generation to generation and appear to be firmly fixed: early bloom time; shorter, dense, compact growth habit; natural abundant branching which requires minimal pruning; orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant; and tight, thin and erect spike-like flower clusters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new variety illustrating the overall appearance and form of the plant, including: abundant branching; short height; dense compact appearance; tight, narrow and erect plumes; and blooms all the way to the tip of the plant.

FIG. 2 is a close up view of the plumes of the new variety illustrating the abundance of blooms on the plumes and blooms all the way to the tip of the plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. The following description is based on observations of well fertilized 4" potted plants of 12 to 16 months of age from initial propagation which were grown outside under saran in a commercial nursery at Half Moon Bay, Calif., where temperatures average from 55 to 65 degrees F. during the summer months, and 45 to 55 degrees F. during the winter months.

Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from the slated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal, and cultural conditions.

The Plant

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Unknown.

Pollen parent.--Unknown.

Classification:

Botanic.--Erica persoluta `Happy`.

Commercial.--`Happy`.

Form: Perennial, compact, woody shrub.

Shape: Upright, stems curving slightly to accomodate fullness of plant.

Height: Mean 12" to 18".

Girth: Mean 8" to 10".

Branching: Ample, needs minimal pruning.

Growth: naturally compact with woody flexible strength.

Foliage: Abundant, with tiny needle-like leaves over the entire plant.

Size of leaf.--Mean 1/8" long.

Shape of leaf.--Acerose like.

Character.--Sulcate.

Color.--R.H.S. 144 A.

Texture.--Smooth.

Hardiness: Can tolerate a temperature range of 28 to 100 degrees F.

Disease resistance: Considerable resistance to fungus type diseases. Common diseases include phythium and phytoplhora.

Seed production: Sparce; commercially produced asexually by cuttings.

Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot, sunny, dry weather will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality.

In general, the foliage is too tiny to determine further characteristics by plant observation.

The Bud

Size:

Length.--1/8" and less.

Diameter.--1/10"and less.

Rate of opening: progressive and continuous to the tip of the stem.

Petals: Corolline flowers in which the sepals are relatively insignificant.

Color: R.H.S. 78 B to 78 D.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Annually, can range from early October through mid January depending upon seasonal weather conditions.

Size of bloom: 1/8" by 1/10".

Borne: Spike like clusters with terminal flowers.

Shape: Urceolate.

Appearance: Satiny.

Color: R.H.S. 78 B to 78 C in overall appearance of the plant.

Flower stem:

Length.--Mean 1/4" to 3".

Color.--R.H.S. 177D.

Strength.--Woody and supple.

Discoloration: Does not fade.

Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot, dry, sunny weather will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to fade and decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality.

Persistence: Blooms persists long after the stem ceases to draw water. Blooms do not shed easily.

Fragrance: Slight.

Lasting quality:

On plant.--6 to 8 weeks.

As a cut flower.--2 weeks.

The outstanding characteristics of this new plant resides in its early blooming from October through mid January, whereas Erica persoluta does not begin to bloom until March. Its natural short, compact growth habit makes it suitable for pot plant culture, whereas Erica persoluta is of the cut flower variety and is taller.

  ______________________________________                                    
                      `ROSE-   `ERICA    NEW                                   
     PLANT  `HEIDI`   MARIE`   PERSOLUTA`                                      
                                         CULTIVAR                              
     ______________________________________                                    
     Height a 4" pot  Same     a 4" pot will be                                
                                         a 4" pot will be                      
            will be 8"         10" to 12" high                                 
                                         13" to 15" high                       
            or 9" high         in 18 mons.                                     
                                         in 16 mons.                           
            in 18 mons.        growing time                                    
                                         growing time                          
            growing            with numerous                                   
                                         with minimal                          
            time with          pruning   pruning                               
            little or no                                                       
            pruning                                                            
     Form   short, dense                                                       
                      Same     Same      Same                                  
            appearing,                                                         
            compact                                                            
            woody                                                              
            shrub                                                              
     Shape  Upright,  Same     Upright, stems                                  
                                         Upright,                              
            stems              spreading to                                    
                                         stems curving                         
            curving            produce fullness                                
                                         slightly to                           
            slightly to        of plant  accommodate                           
            accomodate                   fullness of                           
            fullness of                  plant                                 
            plant                                                              
     Branch-                                                                   
            naturally Same     generous, ample,                                
     ing    generous,          several   minimal (1-2)                         
            minimal or         prunings  prunings                              
            no pruning         necessary (4-5)                                 
                                         necessary to                          
            needed             to encourage                                    
                                         encourage                             
                               branching branching                             
     Growth upright but                                                        
                      Same     Same      Same                                  
            naturally                                                          
            short and                                                          
            branching                                                          
            with                                                               
            woody,                                                             
            flexible                                                           
            strength                                                           
     Blooming                                                                  
            annual, mid                                                        
                      annual,  annual, early                                   
                                         annual, early                         
     Season:                                                                   
            Jan. to mid                                                        
                      Dec.-    March through                                   
                                         Oct. through                          
            Feb.      Feb.     late March                                      
                                         mid Jan.                              
     Foliage                                                                   
     Color  R.H.S.    R.H.S.   R.H.S. 143A                                     
                                         R.H.S. 144A                           
            143A      144A     with 59A                                        
                               streaking                                       
                               through the                                     
                               leaves                                          
     Size   1/8"      Same     Same      Same                                  
     Shape  spike-like,                                                        
                      Same     Same      Same                                  
            with stiff,                                                        
            erect stems;                                                       
            Acerose                                                            
     Quantity                                                                  
            Abundant  Same     Same      Same                                  
     Bloom                                                                     
     Size   1/8" .times. 1/16"                                                 
                      Same     3/16" .times. 1/16"                             
                                         1/8" .times. 1/10"                    
     Borne  in clusters                                                        
                      Same     Same      Same                                  
            with                                                               
            terminal                                                           
            buds                                                               
     Shape  Urceolate Same     Ovoid     Urceolate                             
     Color  R.H.S.    R.H.S.   R.H.S. 70A-70B                                  
                                         BR.H.S.                               
            71C-71D   66D                78B-78C                               
     Rate of                                                                   
            rapid,    Same     Same      Same                                  
     opening:                                                                  
            progressive                                                        
            and                                                                
            continuous                                                         
            beginning                                                          
            at the base                                                        
            of the stem                                                        
            and                                                                
            progressing                                                        
            to the tip                                                         
            of the stem                                                        
     ______________________________________                                    

Claims

1. A new and distinct hybrid plant variety of the Heath family substantially as herein shown and described.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
PP7536 May 28, 1991 Imazio
PP8014 October 27, 1992 Imazio
Patent History
Patent number: PP8650
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 21, 1992
Date of Patent: Mar 22, 1994
Assignee: Bay City Flower Co. (Half Moon Bay, CA)
Inventor: Bruno L. Imazio (Watsonville, CA)
Primary Examiner: James R. Feyrer
Assistant Examiner: Erich E. Veitenheimer
Attorney: James R. Cypher
Application Number: 7/964,521
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Plt/541
International Classification: A01H 500;