Heath plant named Happy
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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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.
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ERICA
`HAPPY` `HEIDI` `ROSEMARIE` PERSOLUTA
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Bloom Oct.- Mid Dec.-
Dec.-Feb. March
Season
Mid Jan. Mid Feb.
Bloom 78C-78D 71C-71D 66D 70A-70B
Color
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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 DRAWINGFIG. 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 DRAWINGThe 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 PlantOrigin: 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 BudSize:
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.
InflorescenceBlooming 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.
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`ROSE- `ERICA NEW
PLANT `HEIDI` MARIE` PERSOLUTA`
CULTIVAR
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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
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Claims
1. A new and distinct hybrid plant variety of the Heath family substantially as herein shown and described.
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
International Classification: A01H 500;
