USPP10567P

USPP10567P - Azalea hybrid variety named `Conlee`

Info

Publication number: USPP10567P
Application number: US08/833,395
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Edward Lee
Original assignee: Plant Development Services Inc
Current assignee: Plant Development Services Inc
Priority date: 1997-04-08
Filing date: 1997-04-08
Publication date: 1998-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-08

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of azelea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `Karens` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of an upright, dense, globose shaped plant with an attractive winter stem and foliage coloration and single purple flowers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of evergreen azalea of the genus Rhododendron and a member of the Ericaceae family. This new azalea variety, hereinafter referred to as `Conlee`, was discovered by Robert Edward Lee of Transcend Nursery in August, 1986 in Independence, La. `Conlee` originated from a planned cross hybridization between two selected breeding lines in a controlled breeding program in Independence, La. The value of this new cultivar lies in its unique blooming period, bloom color, bloom form, winter stem and foliage coloration, and growth habit.

Asexual propagation of the new plant by cuttings has been under Mr. Lee's direction at the same location. Several generations of the new plant have been evaluated and the distinctive characteristics of the plant have remained stable. The plant cannot be reproduced true from seed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Independence, La.

1. The unique spring, summer, and fall blooming.

2. A purple flower color Red-Purple Group 71D with dotting color Red Group 53B.

3. Single flowers range in size from 13/4"-21/4" in diameter.

4. Easily propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the summer.

5. Fast growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions.

6. Upright, dense, and globose in nature.

7. Good specimen plant.

8. Desirable in planters.

9. Makes a very good hedge or screen.

10. Very good foundation plant for large buildings.

11. Does well as an underestory plant in a woodland garden.

12. Hardy to Zone 7.

13. Attracts butterflies.

14. Attractive winter stem and foliage coloration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The new azalea hybrid variety as illustrated by the accompanying photographic prints in which:

1. FIG. 1 is a close-up showing flower, foliage, and stem color as well as flower form.

2. FIG. 2 shows the dense, upright, and globose growth habit of a young three gallon plant.

3. FIG. 3 shows the attractive winter stem and foliage coloration as the new growth emerges in early March.

4. FIG. 4 shows the effective use and nature of use of the new variety in an established landscape planting.

The colors shown are as true as is reasonably possible to obtain by conventional photographic procedures. The colors of the various plant parts are defined with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. Description of colors in ordinary terms are presented where appropriate for clarity in meaning.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of azelea based on my observations made of plants grown in wholesale commercial production practices, in greenhouses, and in established landscape plantings in Independence, La.

Distinctive Characteristics

______________________________________                                    
                             R. oldhamii                                  
                             'Fourth                                      
Characteristic                                                            
          'Conlee'  'Karens' of July'                                     
                                     R. oldhamii                          
______________________________________                                    
Height (Mature)                                                           
          5-6'      4-5'     8-10'   8-10'                                
Width (Mature)                                                            
          5-6'      4-5'     6-7'    6-7'                                 
Flower Size                                                               
          1 3/4-2 1/4"                                                    
                    1 1/2-2" 1 3/4-2 1/4"                                 
                                     1 3/4-2 1/4"                         
Flower Form                                                               
          Single    Single   Single  Single                               
Flower Color                                                              
          Red-Purple                                                      
                    Red-     Red G. 39A                                   
                                     Red G. 39A                           
          G. 71D    Purple                                                
                    G. 61B                                                
Flowers per                                                               
          3-5       1-4      2-4     2-4                                  
Terminal                                                                  
Bloom Period                                                              
          April                      Mid-May >                            
                                     Mid-June                             
   "      Mid July >                                                      
                    May      Mid-June >                                   
                                     Sporadic >                           
          Frost              Frost   summer                               
Petal Number                                                              
          5         5        5       5                                    
Hardy Zone                                                                
          7         6        7       8                                    
Stamen Number                                                             
          8-10      10       7-10    7-10                                 
______________________________________

The female, or seed parent, of `Conlee` is the azalea `Karens`; a deep reddish purple, single, mid season, medium height grower. `Karens` is an unpatented azalea introduced by Verkades Nursery in 1979 and was the result of a cross between the kurume hybrid `Hino de Gin` and the species Rhododendron poukhanense.

The male, or pollen, parent is Rhohodendron oldhamii `Fourth of July` which originated from a R. oldhamii seed lot collected in 1968 by Dr. Hsu of Taiwan University. The seeds were collected at 850 meters elevation on Mount Tai Tun in Taiwan. Soon after the John Patrick of Oakland, Calif. was visiting Taiwan collecting plant material of the Taiwanese Rhododendrons. He obtained a number of seedlings from Dr. Hsu and grew them in Oakland, Calif. In 1973, Dr. John T. Thornton of C&T Nursery in Franklinton, La. obtained one of the Rhododendron seedlings from Mr. Patrick. Dr. Thornton noticed in the new few years that this particular R. oldhamii plant was a perpetual bloomer from late June until frost on new growth. This plant produces two flushes of growth containing flowers. The second flush of growth overlaps the first flush producing a plant which blooms continuously. This differs from the species R. oldhamii which blooms from mid-May until mid-June and sporadically through the summer. Dr. Thornton subsequently named this plant R. oldhamii `Fourth of July` in 1972.

The azalea `Fourth of July` seems to be hardy to about 10 degrees F (zone 7). Temperatures below this cause dieback, but the plant readily recovers and blooms profusely the following summer. R. oldhamii is less hardy at zone 8.

Robert Edward Lee's hybridization program was conducted with emphasis on species that are not commonly found in the genetic make-up of the present day hybrids. The `Fourth of July` cultivar which Mr. Lee obtained from Dr. Thornton in 1981 is a heavy summer and fall blooming plant, not like the Rhododendron Species Foundation form. The flower buds form on new growth and start blooming about July 1. Mr. Lee used this species to cross with existing hybrids which have a tendency to bloom in the fall and which are also fairly hardy. As expected the resulting seedlings are heavy summer and fall bloomers with very impressive spring blooms also.

Classification:

Botanic.--Rhododendron hybrid `Conlee`.

Form: Upright, dense, and rounded.

Texture: Medium.

Height: 5-6'.

Width: 5-6'.

Growth:

Habit.--Upright, dense, and globose. Fast growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions.

Rate.--In a period of six years from a rooted cutting the plant reaches a height of 4 feet and a spread of 3 feet. The growth rate is normally about 10 to 12" per year; the plant reaches a height of 5 to 6' at maturity while maintaining a dense habit due to the abundant branch development.

Foliage: Alternate, simple, evergreen, pubescent, elliptic to lanceolate, and varying in size from 13/4" to 21/4 long and 1/2 to 3/4" wide. The margins are entire, with a petiole 3/16" to 1/2" long. Midveins and laterals are very impressed on the upper leaf surface and very prominent on the underside giving the leaf a wrinkled coarse appearance. The base of the leaf is cuneate to attenuate and the apex is acute to mucronate. The upper surface of the immature leaves are dull, pubescent, and are Yellow-Green Group 144A and the underside is Yellow-Green Group 146B, pubescent, and matte. The upper surface of the mature leaves are Yellow-Green Group 147A, glossy and slightly pubescent and the underside is Yellow-Green Group 146B, matte, and pubescent. During the winter the upper surface of the leaves are Greyed-Purple Group 187A and the underside is Yellow-Green Group 146A. New growth is heavily pubescent. These hairs are initially soft and white and cover both sides of the leaf with a higher concentration on the petioles and veins. They are slightly curled, flat, and range in length from 1/32" to 3/32". As the growth matures much of the leaf pubescence is lost; however, the stems, petioles, and leaf veins retain this pubescence which becomes more setaceous and darker in color (Greyed-Orange Group 167D) through the growing season. In 1994, the date of initial spring growth was March 10, in Independence, La. After the initial spring flush there was almost continuous growth until that fall ending October 23, also in Independence, La. When growth in full sun, the internode length of this plant is 1/4" to 5/8"; when grown in light shade the internode length is 3/8" to 3/4". As would be expected a plant grown in shade results in a taller, less dense plant with larger leaves.

The average length of terminal growth on the initial spring flush is about 6" for a plant in full sun and about 8" when grown in shade. This growth should not be trimmed since it will produce flowers starting in mid July. As the plant continues to grow through the summer and fall more flower buds are produced, which mature and bloom until frost. This remaining growth produces about 4" to 5" of height. As cool weather approaches, some of the flower buds become dormant. These buds bloom in April of the next year.

Stems: The young stems are densely clothed with white glandular hairs intermixed with scattered spreading, flattened hairs; they have a purple pigmentation, Greyed-Purple Group 187C, which fades to Yellow-Green Group 152B in about 60 days. The immature petioles, midribs, and veins are also Yellow-Green Group 152B during the summer, but change to Greyed-Purple Group 185B during the winter. During the second growing season they become Greyed-Green Group 197B, glabrous, and rugose. The pith is solid and uniform. Young and older stems are densely branched.

Buds: Tight buds at 1/2" are ovate and acuminate Yellow-Green Group 146D with a hairy pubescence Greyed-Orange Group 167D. The buds are borne in clusters of 3 to 5, and are sheathed by a pair of modified leaf bracts which are from 1/4" to 1/2" long, persistent, and Yellow-Group 147A. The pedicel is 3/8" to 1/2" long, heavily pubescent, and Red Group 53B. The calyx is 1/4" to 3/8" long. Yellow-Green Group 144B, funnel shaped, persistent, and heavily pubescent. The five imbricated sepals are lanceolate and joined at the base to form a cup. As the buds swell the bud sheath matures to a Greyed-Orange Group 165A, falls off, and reveales the flower color Red-Purple Group 71D.

Flowers: Perfect, single, Red-Purple Group 71D (front and back), glabrous, openly funnel shaped, 13/4" to 21/4" wide by 11/2" to 2" long, borne on current season's growth, non-fragrant; they last on the plant in the garden 5 to 6 days. There are 5 petals which are fused at the base, elliptic to obovate, and have wavy margins. The dorsal lobe and the two upper wings of these petals are dotted Red Group 53B. The 8 to 10 stamen are from 3/4" to 13/8" long and the filaments are Red-Purple Group 64C. The anthers are Red-Purple Group 59B and the small amount of pollen produced is Yellow Group 4D. The pistil is single, non-petaloid, 13/4" to 2" long, and Red-Purple Group 63A. The ovary is densely gladular-setose and has five locules. The capsule matures in about 5 months, in Independence, La., to about 1/4" to 1/2" long; it has a persistent style, is Yellow-Green Group 147A, and contains from 100 to 300 nonwinged seeds. Normally fruit set is not heavy. There is a 2 to 3 week flowering period in April in Independence, La. Flowering resumes in mid July as the new buds mature and continues until frost which can be as late as November or December in Independence, La. Azeleas blooming at this time of year attract butterflies in profusion.

Culture: Grows well in a wide range of conditions, tolerates sun to shade. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Responds well to mulching and medium applications of fertilizer; prefers ph 5.0 to 5.5. Very little pruning is needed; adaptable to container and above ground planters; makes a good foundation plant or informal hedge with excellent foliage and flower contrast. Ideal for coastal regions and warmer parts of Piedmont. Propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the summer.

Pests: Lace wing and spider mites can be a problem.

Claims

I claim:

1. A new and unique variety of azalea hybrid plant named `Conlee` as herein shown and described.