USPP16184P2 - Azalea plant named ‘Roblef’ - Google Patents
Azalea plant named ‘Roblef’ Download PDFInfo
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- USPP16184P2 USPP16184P2 US10/889,645 US88964504V USPP16184P2 US PP16184 P2 USPP16184 P2 US PP16184P2 US 88964504 V US88964504 V US 88964504V US PP16184 P2 USPP16184 P2 US PP16184P2
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- 241000208422 Rhododendron Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 14
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 18
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000002085 persistent effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 210000003462 vein Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 241000255777 Lepidoptera Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000001488 breeding effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004720 fertilization Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000004209 hair Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000011121 hardwood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000644 propagated effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000017260 vegetative to reproductive phase transition of meristem Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241001164374 Calyx Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000208421 Ericaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000083727 Rhododendron oldhamii Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000276302 Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001454295 Tetranychidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000607479 Yersinia pestis Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009395 breeding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003337 fertilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005094 fruit set Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002068 genetic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000762 glandular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009396 hybridization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005416 organic matter Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000001672 ovary Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000013138 pruning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003892 spreading Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Definitions
- Genus species Rhododendron hybrid.
- 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 ‘Roblef’, was discovered by Robert Edward Lee in July, 1995 in Independence, La.
- ‘Roblef’ 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, bloom size, and growth habit.
- the photograph at the top of the sheet is a close-up showing flower, foliage, and stem color as well as flower size and form.
- the photograph at the bottom of the sheet shows the dense and globose growth habit of a group of three gallon plants.
- the female, or seed parent, of ‘Roblef’ is the Azalea ‘Karens’; a deep reddish purple, single, mid-season blooming, 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 Giri’ (unpatented) and a plant of the species Rhododendron poukhanense.
- the male, or pollen, parent of ‘Roblef’ is the Azalea Rhododendron oldhamii ‘Fourth of July’ (unpatented). ‘Roblef’ differs from ‘Fourth of July’ primarily in flower color.
- 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 bloomig 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 cultivar 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.
- the average length of terminal growth of the initial spring flush is about 4′′ for a plant in full sun and about 6′′ when grown in shade. This growth should not be trimmed since it will produce flowers starting in early 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.
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- Breeding Of Plants And Reproduction By Means Of Culturing (AREA)
Abstract
A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant named ‘Roblef’, characterized by its unique blooming time, dense and globose growth habit, and attractive large single pink flowers.
Description
Genus species: Rhododendron hybrid.
Varietal denomination: ‘Roblef’.
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 ‘Roblef’, was discovered by Robert Edward Lee in July, 1995 in Independence, La. ‘Roblef’ 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, bloom size, and growth habit.
Asexual propagation of the new plant by cuttings has been under Mr. Lee's direction at the same location. The new plant retains its distinctive characteristics and reproduces true to type in successive generations. The plant cannot be reproduced true from seed.
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 pink flower color Red-Purple Group 58B with dotting color Red Group 53C.
- 3. Large, single flowers ranging in size from 2¾″-3¼″ 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. 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.
- 11. Does well as an under story plant in a woodland garden.
- 12. Hardy to Zone 7.
- 13. Attracts butterflies.
This new Azalea hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographic prints in which:
1. The photograph at the top of the sheet is a close-up showing flower, foliage, and stem color as well as flower size and form.
2. The photograph at the bottom of the sheet shows the dense and globose growth habit of a group of three gallon plants.
The colors shown are as true as is reasonably possible to obtain by conventional photographic procedures. Colors in the photographs may appear different than actual colors due to light reflectance. 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.
The following is a detailed description of the new variety of Azalea based on my observations made of 2 year old plants grown in 3 gallon containers in wholesale commercial production practices, in greenhouses, and in established landscape plantings in Independence, La.
TABLE 1 | ||||
R. oldhamil | ||||
‘Fourth of | ||||
Characteristic | ‘Roblef’ | ‘Karens’ | July’ | R. oldhamil |
Height (Ma- | 3-4′ | 4-5′ | 8-10′ | 8-10′ |
ture) | ||||
Width (Mature) | 3-4′ | 4-5′ | 6-7′ | 6-7′ |
Flower Diame- | 2¾-3¼″ | 1½-2″ | 1¾-2¼″ | 1¾-2¼″ |
ter | ||||
Flower Form | Single | Single | Single | Single |
Flower Color | Red-Purple | Red-Purple | Red G. 39A | Red G. 39A |
G. 58B | G.61B | |||
Flowers per | 2-4 | 1-4 | 2-4 | 2-4 |
Terminal | ||||
Bloom Period | April | May | Mid-May > | |
Mid-June | ||||
″ | Early July > | Late June > | Sporadic > | |
Frost | Frost | summer | ||
Petal Number | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Hardy Zone | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Stamen Num- | 6-7 | 10 | 7-10 | 7-10 |
ber | ||||
Stamen Type | Non-Petaloid | Non-Petaloid | Non-Petaloid | Non-Petaloid |
The female, or seed parent, of ‘Roblef’ is the Azalea ‘Karens’; a deep reddish purple, single, mid-season blooming, 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 Giri’ (unpatented) and a plant of the species Rhododendron poukhanense.
The male, or pollen, parent of ‘Roblef’ is the Azalea Rhododendron oldhamii ‘Fourth of July’ (unpatented). ‘Roblef’ differs from ‘Fourth of July’ primarily in flower color.
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 bloomig 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 cultivar 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:
- Botanical: Rhododendron hybrid ‘Roblef’.
- Form: Dense and rounded.
- Height: 3-4′.
- Width: 3-4′.
- Growth habit: Dense and globose. Fast growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions.
- Growth rate: In a period of six years from a rooted cutting the plant reaches a height of 2 feet and a spread of 2 feet. The growth rate is normally about 6 to 8″ per year; the plant reaches a height of 3 to 4′ at maturity while maintaining a dense habit due to the abundant branch development.
- Foliage: Alternate, simple, evergreen, pubescent, elliptic to narrowly elliptic, and varying in size from 2¼″ to 2⅞″ long and ¾″ to 1″ wide. The margins are entire, with a petiole ¼″ to ⅜″ long. Midveins and laterals are impressed on the upper leaf surface and prominent on the underside. The base of the leaf is cuneate to attenuate and the apex is acute to mucronate. The upper surface of the immature leaves is dull, pubescent, and is Yellow-Green Group 144A and the underside is Yellow-Green Group 146D, pubescent, and matte. The upper surface of the mature leaves is Yellow-Green Group 147A, dull and slightly pubescent and the underside is Yellow-Green Group 146B, matte, and pubescent. The upper end of the mid-rib and veins is Yellow-Green Group 146C. New growth is 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 1/64″ to 1/32″. 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 (Brown Group 200B) through the growing season.
In 2001, the date of initial spring growth was March 8, in Independence, La. After the initial spring flush there was almost continuous growth until that fall ending November 5, also in Independence, La. When grown in full sun, the internode length of this plant is ¼″ to ⅝″; when grown in light shade the internode length is ⅜″ to ¾″. 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 of the initial spring flush is about 4″ for a plant in full sun and about 6″ when grown in shade. This growth should not be trimmed since it will produce flowers starting in early 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, petioles, and lower end of the mid-ribs are Greyed-Purple Group 184A and densely clothed with spreading white glandular hairs. As the stems mature they become Yellow-Green Group 152B and by the second growing season they are Greyed-Green Group 197B, glabrous and rugose. The pith is solid and uniform. Young and older stems are densely branched.
- Buds: Tight buds at ½″ are ovate and acuminate Yellow-Green Group 146D with a hairy pubescence Brown Group 200A. The buds are borne in clusters of 2 to 4, and are sheathed by a pair of modified leaf bracts which are from ¼″ to ½″ long, persistent, and Yellow-Green Group 147A. The pedicel is ½″ to ⅝″ long, pubescent, and Red Group 47A. The calyx is ⅜″ to ½″ long, Yellow-Green Group 144B, funnel shaped, persistent, and 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 reveals the flower color Red-Purple Group 58B.
- Flowers: Perfect, single, Red-Purple Group 58B (upper surface and under surface), glabrous, open funnel shaped, 2¾″ to 3¼″ in diameter by 1¾″ to 2¼″ in depth, borne on current season's growth, non-fragrant; they last on the plant in the garden 5 to 6 days. There are five true petals which are fused at the base, elliptic, and have wavy margins. These petals are 1¾″ to 2¼″ long, ¾″ to 1¼″ wide, and have rounded apexes and entire margins. Three out of five petals are dotted with Red Group 53C. There are 6 to 7 non-petaloid stamens which are 1¼″ to 1¾″ long. The filaments are Red Group 53D, the anthers are Red-Purple Group 59A, and the pollen matures to Yellow Group 11B. The pistil is single, non-petaloid, 1⅝″ to 2″ long and Red Group 53C. The ovary is densely glandular-setose and have five locules. The capsule matures in about 5 months, in Independence, La., to about ¼″ to ½″ long; it has a persistent style, is Yellow-Green Group 147A, and contains from 100 to 400 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 early July as the new buds mature and continues until frost which can be as late as November or December in Independence, La. Azaleas 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 (1)
1. A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant named ‘Roblef’, as illustrated and described.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/889,645 USPP16184P2 (en) | 2004-07-13 | 2004-07-13 | Azalea plant named ‘Roblef’ |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/889,645 USPP16184P2 (en) | 2004-07-13 | 2004-07-13 | Azalea plant named ‘Roblef’ |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
USPP16184P2 true USPP16184P2 (en) | 2006-01-03 |
Family
ID=35509189
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/889,645 Active 2024-11-13 USPP16184P2 (en) | 2004-07-13 | 2004-07-13 | Azalea plant named ‘Roblef’ |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | USPP16184P2 (en) |
-
2004
- 2004-07-13 US US10/889,645 patent/USPP16184P2/en active Active
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PLANT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INC., ALABAMA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LEE, ROBERT EDWARD;REEL/FRAME:015600/0447 Effective date: 20040708 |