Barberry plant `Gentry` cultivar
A new and distinct variety of Berberis thunbergii is distinguishable from the closest known variety and from its parent due to the color of its leaves and by its ability to grow in full sun and with midday waterings without suffering sunburn or scald. Newly formed leaves have a rich blush burgundy color and are covered with a velvety pubescence that beads water like a freshly waxed car. As the leaves mature, they darken to a reddish-black satin patina.
The subject variety was discovered in 1989 growing in a bed of 15,000 containerized Berberis thungbergii Crimson Pygmy at the Leo Gentry Wholesale Nursery in Gresham, Oreg. The plants in this bed were propagated from vegetative cuttings taken from several thousand mature Crimson Pygmy plants growing at the nursery. All of the plants growing in this bed were from cuttings taken from Crimson Pygmy plants.
The new variety is distinguishable from other varieties of barberry due to the rich blush burgundy color of its leaves, which turn to a reddish-black satin patina as they mature. The variety also exhibits more resistance to sunburn and scald than other red-leaved varieties of barberry. Plants of the new variety have been asexually reproduced at Gresham, Oreg. using soft-wood cuttings. The characteristics of the new variety have been found to remain true when asexually reproduced, through multiple generations over a four-year period.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a recently planted one gallon-sized plant of the subject variety in a landscape setting showing the color of newly formed leaves.
FIG. 2 is a close-up of the variety showing the color of mature leaves and showing the beading of water on the leaves.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETYThe following description is based on plants growing at the Leo Genry Wholesale Nursery in Gresham, Oreg. Color references are to the Pantome Matching System, 1963, 1992.
The vegetative and reproductive parts of the new variety are, in most respects, typical of barberry plants. Its growth pattern and the size and shape of its leaves are similar to the Crimsom Pygmy barberry. The mature plant develops into a densely compact, low-mounding shrub, slightly smaller than the Crimson Pygmy, but similar in habit. It produces clusters of small yellow flowers followed by tiny red fruiting bodies that are typical of the genus.
Juvenile leaves of the subject variety are covered with a beautiful velvety pubescence that beads water drops like a freshly waxed car. The leaf develops as a superior and much richer blush burgundy (No. 504) than does Crimson Pygmy, then gradually darkens to a soft but showy, reddish-black satin patina (No. 439-440) as it fully matures. The leaves of Crimson Pygmy develop a reflective, waxy sheen which does not occur with the subject variety. The contrast between the two plants is readily noticeable at a glance under any lighting, but is especially pronounced in bright sunlight. The leaves of the subject variety retain their color throughout the propagation period, even in the shade, whereas the parent, Crimson Pygmy, washes out to a burnt orange color. Another particularly unique characteristic of the subject variety is that its leaves resist burning even in full sun. Blocks of plants were deliberately placed on a south aspect so they received maximum exposure to the hot afternoon sun. In spite of daily waterings and water drops standing on the tender young leaves, there was no apparent evidence of sunburn or scald. This is a distinct difference from Crimson Pygmy.
Stems of new growth are nearly identical in color to the blush burgundy of the leaves, but there is one botanically unique stem feature not seen in other red-leaved barberry. Berberis thunbergii typically has one spine at the base of each leaf node. The spine on the subject variety most commonly occurs in threes on the mature plant.
It is believed that the subject variety is cold-hardy to U.S.D.A. Cold-hardiness Zone 3.
Details of the subject variety in comparison with the parent variety and the closest known patented varieties are set forth in the following table: (The characteristics of the patented varieties are based on the patents and thus are limited to the disclosures made in the patents, as noted).
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SPECIFICATION GENTRY CULTIVAR
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Foliage
Color
Immature Pantone #504. New leaves
emerge burgundy both surfaces.
Not glossy-distinctive flat "finish"
Mature Pantone #439-440 w/hints of
green to all green underside
Not glossy-distinctive flat "finish"
Interior & Heavy Shade
Pantone #575-Dull green w/some
splotches of red mature leaf color
Not glossy-distinctive flat "finish"
Texture Finely pubescent, both surfaces
whitish under
Size & Shape Obovate to Orbicular. Much more
rounded that Crimson Pygmy.
L .times. W = 0.75-1" .times. .6"
Margin Smooth
Plant Growth
Rate 3-6"/yr at the location of plant
culture in Gresham, OR
Form Densely compact, low mounding.
Expected to mature at about
21/2' H .times. 3' W. Multiple upright
basal branching.
Stems Older stems woody. New growth
emerges green w/red tinge,
turning entirely red, then woody.
Spines Spine is borne singly at first then
most commonly occurs 3-parted
Internodal length
0.4-0.6" at location of culture
Flowering Habit
Small red flowers followed by tiny
red fruiting bodies are typical for
the Genus
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SPECIFICATION CRIMSON PYGMY
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Foliage
Color
Immature Pantone #490. New leaves
emerge crimson both surfaces.
Highly glossy
Mature Pantone #4975 w/hints of
green to all green underside
Hightly glossy
Interior & Heavy Shade
Pantone #574-Shiny green w/
some splotches of the mature red
Highly glossy
Texture Smooth, waxy, both surfaces-
somewhat glaucous under
Size & Shape Obovate to Spatulate-oblong
More elongated
L .times. W = 1.25" .times.
Margin Smooth
Plant Growth
Rate Growth rate in similar conditions
at Gresham, OR about twice that
of Royal Burgundy
Form Low, dense plant much wider
than high. 11/2' H .times. 21/2-3' W
Multiple upright basal branching.
Stems Older growth woody. New
growth green with reddish tips.
Spines Usually has single spines
Internodal length
0.4-0.6" at location of culture
Flowering Habit
Small yellow flowers, tiny red
fruiting bodies
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SPECIFICATION DeGROOT PP 703
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Foliage
Color
Immature Upper = Victoria Lake Plate 1
Under = corydalis Green Pl 41
Mature Upper = Hayes Maroom Plate 13
Under = Lt Grape Green Plate 41
Interior & Heavy Shade
Not stated on patent
Texture Leathery above, glauscent below
Size & Shape Spatulate. About 11/2" long
Margin Not stated on patent
Plant Growth
Rate To 4' w/n 3 years
Form Upright, ascending branches.
To 4' w/n 3 years
Stems Chestnut brown. Upright
branches.
Spines Simple spine at each leaf cluster
Internodal length
Not stated on patent
Flowering Habit
Inconspicuous yellow flower
racemes. Oblong Nopal Red fruit.
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SPECIFI-
CATION CRAWFORD PP 1969
de WIT PP 6269
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Foliage
Color
Immature Munsell Mod Red Munsell Brt Fuscia
2.5 R 4/10 5 RP 5/6-3-6
Mature Munsell Dk Red 2.5
Munsell 7.5 P 4/2-2-2
R 3/7 w/lighter maroon veins
Interior &
Not stated on patent
Not stated on patent
Heavy Shade
Texture Not stated on patent
Glabrous
Size & Shape
Ovate. L .times. W = 1/2.times.
Broadly elliptical.
1" .times. 1/4-1"
L .times. W = 2" .times. 1-11/2 "
Margin Not stated on patent
Sometimes serrated
w/age
Plant Growth
Rate Not stated on patent
Not stated on patent
Form Spreading, dense
Fountain-like habit.
Medium size Strong basal branching.
Size not specified.
Stems Mature wood is Older stems cordovan
moderate yellowish-
brown. Immature twigs
brown streaked w/
vary in color from deep
dark red. New growth,
magenta at the tip to
moderate red brown at the base
Spines Vary from simple to 3-
Not stated on patent
parted
Internodal
Not stated on patent
Not stated on patent
length
Flowering
No flowers or fruit
Yellow flowers and red
Habit ellipsoidal fruit.
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Claims
1. A new and distinct variety of Berberis thunbergii substantially as shown and described, characterized particularly by the rich blush burgundy color of its newly-formed leaves which mature to a reddish-black satin patina, and by the resistance of the leaves to sunburn and scald.
| PP703 | July 1946 | De Groot |
| PP1968 | August 1960 | Crawford |
| PP6269 | September 6, 1988 | de Wit |
Type: Grant
Filed: Aug 23, 1994
Date of Patent: Mar 5, 1996
Inventor: Leo E. Gentry (Gresham, OR)
Primary Examiner: James R. Feyrer
Law Firm: Chernoff, Vilhauer, McClung and Stenzel
Application Number: 8/295,412
International Classification: A01H 500;
