USPP2309P - Azalea plant - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 19, 1963 gw s ETAL Plant Pat. 2,309

AZALEA PLANT Filed Sept. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 19, 1963 Filed Sept. 28, 1962 H. B- LEWIS ETAL AZALEA PLANT Plant Pat. 2,309

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 2,39? AZALEA PLANT Hubert B. Lewis and Helen H. Lewis, both of 16562 E. Leifingweli Road, Whittier, Calif. Filed Sept. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 227,097 1 Claim. (Ci. Pit-55) The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of azalea plant which was originated by us by crossirrg the Belgian Indian variety known as Brillanta Belgi'ca (unpatented) with the variety lznown as Mme. Pericat (unpatented), the former being the seed parent and the latter being the pollen parent.

As the result of this breeding, we have produced a new azalea variety which is endowed with a new and improved combination of characteristics, as evidenced by the following features which are outstanding therein and which distinguish the new variety from its parents, as well as from all other varieties of which we are aware:

(1) Large size, strong and fast growing habits of growth;

(2) Foliage of medium size and good quality;

(3) A distinctive, attractive and unusual pink general color tonality of the flowers, with the pink color being darker on the outer edges of the petals and shading to almost white at the center of the flowers, thereby giving the flowers an appearance of being frosted with pink; and

(4) Suitability for forcing.

Our new variety does not resemble either parent in any way. It has better foliage than either parent, and the flowers differ in color from those of most all other varieties of which we are aware and have a very unusual frosted appearance.

Asexual reproduction of our new variety by cuttings, as performed at Rivera, California, and at Whittier, California, shows that the foregoing characteristics and distinctions come true to form and are established and transrnitted through succeeding propa-gations.

The accompanying drawings show a typical specimen plant of our new azalea variety as depicted in black and white to illustrate its general form and habit of growth, as well as typical specimens of the flowers and foliage as depicted in color on a somewhat enlarged scale to better illustrate the details thereof.

The following is a detailed description of our new aza-lea variety, with color terminology in accordance with the Wilson Horticultural Color Chart, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are obvious:

Locality where grown and observed: Whittier, California. Propagation: Holds its distinguishing characteristics through succeeding propagations by cuttings.

Plant Form: Generally upright. Habit: Vigorous; branching; rather sprawling when not pruned. Rooting habit: Good. Foliage:

Size.-From medium to large.

Plant Fat. 2,399

Patented Nov. 19, 1963 Flowers Borne: From 2 to 6 to stem; on strong stems.

Blooming habit: Blooms evenly over entire plant.

Blooming season: Normally in spring, but by pruning, can be forced to bloom from Christmas to Easter season.

Quantity of bloom: Free, both outdoors and in greenhouse.

Continuity: Heavy from- Christmas to Easter seasons.

Petalage: Normally 5 outer petals and 5 smaller inner petals.

Colon-Very narrow outer border of Phlox Pink, Plate 625, shading to Phlox Pink, Plate 625/1 from edge to center of petals, and then shading to Phlox Pink, Plate 625/ 3 from center of petals to throat.

Texture.Heavy; crisp.

Appearance.Appears frosted with an overlay of pink color on white.

Slmpe.Semi-double.

Arrangemcnt.0uter petalsflat.

raised.

Bud: Ruffled appearance.

Inner petals Color-Phlox Pink, Plate Reproductive Organs Stamens: 4 or 5 in number; mostly attached to inner petals. Color-from. light pink to yellow.

Pollen: Sparse. Colorwhite.

Styles: Well developed. Color-Yellow in center.

Ovaries: Normal.

We claim:

A new and distinct variety of azalea plant, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particular-ly as to novelty by the unique combination of large size, strong and fast-growing habits of growth, foliage of medium size and good quality, a distinctive, attractive and unusual pink general color tonality of the flowers, with the pink color being darker on the outer edges of the flower petals and shading to almost white at the center of the flowers, thereby giving the flowers an appearance of being frosted with pink color, and suitability for forcing.

No references cited.

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