USPP36914P2 - Rhododendron plant named ‘NCB193’ - Google Patents

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘NCB193’ is disclosed, characterized by large, attractive, bright pink flowers with a distinctive yellow-orange blotch. Flowers are fragrant. Plants are compact, well-branched, and exhibit good disease resistance. The new cultivar is a Rhododendron, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species: Rhododendron hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘NCB193’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program by the inventor to develop new Rhododendron varieties with good disease resistance, compact habits, and attractive, long-lasting flowers. The seed parent is an unpatented internal selection of Rhododendron atlanticum x calendulaceum named ‘B-108’. The pollen parent is the unpatented variety Rhododendron ‘Red Velvet’. The crossing resulting in the cultivar was made in the year 1990 at a nursery in Cary, North Carolina.

Rhododendron ‘NCB193’ was found and selected during 1995 in Cary, North Carolina. The first asexual propagation of ‘NCB193’ occurred in 2018 by softwood cuttings at the same nursery. ‘NCB193’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations over multiple generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘NCB193’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘NCB193’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘NCB193’ as a new and distinct Rhododendron cultivar:

• • 1. Large, attractive bright pink flowers with a yellow-orange blotch.
  • 2. Compact, well-branched habit.
  • 3. Very good leaf disease resistance.
  • 4. Good resistance to Phytophthora root rot.
  • 5. Good heat tolerance in warm, humid regions.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETIES

‘NCB193’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the seed parent. Plants of the new cultivar ‘NCB193’ however differ in the following:

• • 1. Flower color of the new variety is bright pink with a yellow-orange blotch, while the flower color of the seed parent is very pale yellow with pink overtones.
  • 2. Plant habit of the new variety is compact, while the plant habit of the seed parent is somewhat spreading and irregular.
  • 3. The new variety blooms approximately 2 weeks earlier than the seed parent.

‘NCB193’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the pollen parent. Plants of the new cultivar ‘NCB193’ however differ in the following:

• • 1. Flower color of the new variety is bright pink with a yellow-orange blotch, while the flower color of the pollen parent is dark red.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘NCB193’ can be compared to the commercial variety Rhododendron ‘Rosy Lights’, unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘NCB193’ are similar to plants of ‘Rosy Lights’ in most horticultural characteristics. Plants of the new cultivar ‘NCB193’, however, differ in the following:

• • 1. Flower color of the new variety is bright pink with a yellow-orange blotch, while the flower color of this comparator is strictly bright pink.
  • 2. Plants of the new variety are smaller at maturity than plants of this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

‘NCB193’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the plant's form, foliage, and inflorescences. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the new hybrid Rhododendron.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a plant of ‘NCB193’ at approximately 2.5 years of age planted outdoors in Raleigh, NC.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a typical inflorescence of ‘NCB193’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the botanical characteristics of the new and distinct Rhododendron ‘NCB193’. The detailed description was taken on a 3-year-old container-grown plant in Grand Haven, Michigan in 2024. All colors cited herein refer to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, 2015 Edition. Where specific dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as is practicable.

• Botanical classification: Rhododendron hybrid ‘NCB193’.

PROPAGATION

• Typical method: Softwood cuttings.
• Root description: Sparse, fibrous, freely branching, thin. Off-white in color, not accurately measured with an R.H.S. chart.
• Time to initiate rooting: 55 days in summer at 18° to 27° C.
• Time to produce a rooted young plant: 90 days in summer at 18° to 27° C.

PLANT

• Plant type: Perennial flowering shrub.
• Plant shape: Upright, compact.
• Growth habit: Upwards and slightly outwards.
• Height: 60 cm.
• Width: 65 cm.
• Growth rate: Moderate to high.
• Branching habit:
• Stem:
  • • Branching.—Basal, some pinching required.
    • Number of lateral branches.—10 to 15.
    • Shape.—Rounded.
    • Color.—Immature: RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Mature: RHS Brown N200C with Grey-Brown 199C.
    • Length.—40 cm.
    • Width.—8 mm.
    • Aspect.—30° to 60°.
    • Strength.—Strong; old growth quite sturdy and rigid.
    • Pubescence.—On new growth only.
• Internode length: 1.5 cm.
• Deciduous or evergreen: Evergreen.

FOLIAGE

• Leaf:
  • • Arrangement.—Alternate, single.
    • Shape.—Elliptic.
    • Length.—7 cm.
    • Width.—2.75 cm.
    • Apex.—Acute.
    • Base.—Attenuate.
    • Margin.—Entire, ciliolate.
    • Color.—Young, upper surface: RHS Yellow-Green 146A. Young, under surface: RHS Yellow-Green 147B. Mature, upper surface: RHS Yellow-Green 147A. Mature, under surface: RHS Yellow-Green 147C to 147D.
    • Texture.—Upper surface: Lightly pubescent with small, coarse hairs. Lower surface: Glabrous, except for slight pubescence on midrib.
    • Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color, upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Color, under side: RHS Yellow-Green 144B.
• Petiole:
  • • Length.—5 mm.
    • Diameter.—1 mm.
    • Color.—Upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Under side: RHS Yellow-Green 144B.
    • Texture.—Lightly pubescent, both sides.

INFLORESCENCE

• Natural flowering season: Spring (May).
• Inflorescence type: Terminal raceme (truss).
• Inflorescence height: 9 cm.
• Inflorescence width: 12 cm.
• Flowers per inflorescence: About 20.
• Flowers per lateral stem: About 20.
• Buds per lateral stem: About 5.
• Flowers and buds per plant: 500 to 700.
• Fragrance: Sweet and musky, perfume-like; moderate to strong intensity.
• Flowers:
  • • Arrangement.—Terminal raceme (truss).
    • Form.—Funnel-shaped with whorled petals.
    • Habit.—Racemes (trusses) at the terminal ends of lateral branches.
    • Aspect.—Upright and outward.
    • Length.—6 cm.
    • Diameter.—6 cm.
    • Depth.—7 cm.
    • Longevity.—Individual flowers persist for 3-7 days, though the buds and flowers which comprise the truss have a staggered opening, leading to an inflorescence that persists for approximately two weeks.
    • Persistence.—Self-cleaning.
• Bud:
  • • Length.—3.5 cm.
    • Width.—1 cm.
    • Shape.—Spatulate with a prominent, acute, curved tip.
    • Color.—RHS Greyed-Red 180B to 180C.
• Petals:
  • • Appearance.—Soft and vibrant with slightly ruffled margins, with the bottom-most petal being slightly broader with a bright yellow-orange spot of color or “eye.”
    • Arrangement.—Whorl (stellate).
    • Number.—5.
    • Length.—3 cm.
    • Width.—Upper: 1.75 cm. Lower: 2.5 cm.
    • Shape.—Upper: Elliptic. Lower: Broadly elliptic.
    • Apex.—Upper: Acute. Lower: Obtuse.
    • Base.—Fused.
    • Margin.—Slightly crenate or undulating, becoming more ruffled towards the tip.
    • Color.—When opening, upper side: RHS Red 51A mixed with Red 54A, with an Orange N25A flushed Orange 25A spot or “eye” on the bottom-most petal, extending slightly into the throat. When opening, under side: RHS Red 51A mixed with 51B. Fully opened, upper side: RHS Red 51A mixed with Red 54A, with an Orange N25A to Orange 25A spot or “eye” on the bottom-most petal, extending slightly into the throat. Fully opened, under side: RHS Red 51A and 51B. Fading, upper side: RHS Red 50C and 50D with a Yellow-Orange 20A mixed with Yellow-Orange 19A spot or “eye” on the bottom-most petal, extending slightly into the throat. Fading, under side: RHS Red 50C and 50D. Vein, upper side: RHS Red 51A. Vein, under side: RHS Red 53B.
    • Texture.—Upper: Glabrous, soft and silky. Lower: Glabrous, soft and silky.
• Throat:
  • • Diameter.—1 cm.
    • Texture.—Glabrous.
    • Color.—RHS Red 53B.
• Tube:
  • • Length.—2 cm.
    • Diameter.—5 mm.
    • Texture.—Slightly pubescent with small, coarse hairs.
    • Color.—RHS Red 53B.
• Sepals:
  • • Number.—5.
    • Arrangement.—Whorl (stellate).
    • Length.—3 mm.
    • Width.—2 mm.
    • Shape.—Elliptic.
    • Apex.—Obtuse.
    • Base.—Fused.
    • Margin.—Entire.
    • Color.—Mature, upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Mature, under side: RHS Yellow-Green 144A.
    • Texture.—Upper side: Lightly pubescent. Under side: Glabrous.
• Calyx:
  • • Length.—3 mm.
    • Diameter.—3 mm.
    • Shape.—Collar-like.
• Peduncle:
  • • Length.—1.2 cm.
    • Diameter.—2 mm.
    • Angle.—60° to 90° relative to lateral stem.
    • Strength.—Good.
    • Color.—RHS Yellow Green 144A.
    • Texture.—Lightly pubescent.
• Pedicel:
  • • Length.—1.5 cm.
    • Diameter.—2 mm.
    • Angle.—45° relative to peduncle.
    • Strength.—Good.
    • Texture.—Lightly pubescent.
    • Color.—RHS Yellow Green 144A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

• Gynoecium:
  • • Pistil number.—1.
    • Pistil length.—7 cm.
    • Stigma shape.—Elliptic.
    • Stigma color.—RHS Green 137A.
    • Style length.—7 cm.
    • Style color.—RHS Red 53B.
    • Ovary color.—RHS Yellow-Green 144A.
• Androecium:
  • • Stamen number.—5.
    • Anther shape.—Elliptic.
    • Anther length.—Less than 0.1 cm.
    • Anther color.—RHS Yellow-Orange 14D.
    • Filament length.—5 cm.
    • Filament color.—RHS Red 51C.
    • Amount of pollen.—Moderate.
    • Pollen color.—RHS Yellow-Orange 14D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Fruit and seed: Not observed.
• Disease and pest resistance: Foliage is very healthy and is generally unplagued by pathogens common to Rhododendron, including powdery mildew, leaf spots and rust. ‘NCB193’ displays good resistance to Phytophthora root rot.
• Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to USDA Zones 4-8. Excellent tolerance to rain.

Claims (1)

What is claimed is:

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘NCB193’ as herein illustrated and described.

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