USPP10067P - Phlox plant named `Laurel Beth` - Google Patents

Abstract

A distinctive cultivar of Phlox plant named `Laurel Beth`, characterized by its variegated leaves with green centers and distinct white leaf margins; white leaf margin that is tinged with dark rose coloration during cool temperatures; dark rose stem coloration during cool temperatures; and rose red apices during the early spring.

Description

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Creeping Phlox, botanically known as Phlox subulata, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Laurel Beth.

The new cultivar is a foliage color mutation from the nonpatented Phlox subulata cultivar Star Red. The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in a controlled environment in McMinnville, Tenn., within a population of plants of the cultivar Star Red.

In side-by-side comparisons in McMinnville, Tenn. under commercial practice, plants of the new Phlox are similar to plants of the cultivar Star Red in flower color and plant habit. However plants of the cultivar Star Red have solid green leaves whereas plants of the new Phlox have variegated leaves.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings taken at McMinnville, Tenn. has shown that the unique features of this new Phlox plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of `Laurel Beth`. These characteristics in combination distinguish the new Phlox plant as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Variegated leaves with green centers and distinct white leaf margins.

2. White leaf margin that is tinged with dark rose coloration during cool temperatures of fall through early spring.

3. Dark rose stem coloration during cool temperatures of fall through early spring.

4. Rose red apices during the early spring.

The new Phlox plant has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature and light level, without, however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. In the drawing

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a typical potted specimen of `Laurel Beth`;

FIG. 2 comprises a side perspective view of typical foliage of `Laurel Beth` after exposure to cool temperatures;

FIG. 3 shows, in side perspective view, the foliage of specimens of `Laurel Beth` after exposure to warm temperatures; and,

FIG. 4 illustrates, in close-up view, a typical flower of `Laurel Beth`.

Flower and foliage colors in the photographs may appear different from the actual colors due to light reflectance.

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisons describe plants grown in McMinnville, Tenn., and Roanoke, Tex., in production fields and 1-gallon containers, respectively.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Classification:

Botanical.--Phlox subulata cultivar Laurel Beth.

Commercial.--Creeping Phlox.

Parentage: Naturally occurring foliage color mutation of Phlox subulata cultivar Star Red (not patented).

Propagation:

Type.--By cuttings or by division.

Time to develop roots.--21 days at temperatures of 25° C.

Rooting habit.--Vigorous, fibrous, and well-branched.

Plant Description:

Plant form and growth habit.--Perennial, mounded, spreading and prostrate. Used as a groundcover, border plant, and in rock gardens.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Growth rate.--Moderate to high, usually 12 to 16 weeks to produce a finished 1-gallon container from an unrooted cutting.

Branching habit.--Freely branching, dense plants.

Height, soil level to top of leaves.--About 10 cm.

Height, soil level to top of flowers.--About 15 cm.

Stem color.--Fall through early spring: Dark rose. Spring through early fall: Grayed green.

Foliage description:

Arrangement.--Opposite.

Leaf appearance.--Leathery.

Leaf size, largest leaves.--Length: About 2 cm. Width: About 2 mm.

Leaf shape.--Narrow, linear.

Leaf tip.--Acuminate.

Margin type.--Entire.

Leaf surface.--Folded upright lengthwise, in cross-section, V-shaped.

Texture.--Glabrous.

Petiole.--Sessile.

Color.--Center, abaxial: 137B. Margin, abaxial: 155D. Center, adaxial: 137C. Margin, adaxial: 155D. Margin, cool temperatures, fall through early spring: 61A.

Flower description:

Natural flowering season.--Early to mid spring. Plants may flower during the summer as well.

Flower arrangement.--Single flowers arranged in umbels, flowers held upright and above the foliage.

Flower appearance.--Fused corolla with five petals. Rose pink with red purple eye and midveins. Not persistent.

Fragrance.--Slight.

Flower diameter.--About 5 cm.

Flower depth(height).--About 5 mm.

petals.--Appearance: Velvety, satiny. Texture: Smooth. Arrangement: Five fused into a corolla, not overlapping. Shape: Oblong. Margin: Entire. Surface: Usually flat or slightly twisted. Tip: Rounded. Size: Length: About 2.5 cm. Width: About 1.25 cm. Color: Abaxial: 68A. Midvein and base: 61B. Adaxial: 75A.

Disease resistance: Under commercial conditions, resistance or susceptibility to pathogens has not been observed.

Seed production: Seed production is rarely observed.

Claims (1)

It is claimed:

1. A new and distinct Phlox plant named `Laurel Beth`, as illustrated and described.

Images