USPP9461P

USPP9461P - Barberry plant `Gentry` cultivar

Info

Publication number: USPP9461P
Application number: US08/295,412
Authority: US
Inventors: Leo E. Gentry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-23
Filing date: 1994-08-23
Publication date: 1996-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2014-08-23

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Berberis thunbergii is distinguishable from the closest known variety and from its parent due to the color of its leaves and by its ability to grow in full sun and with midday waterings without suffering sunburn or scald. Newly formed leaves have a rich blush burgundy color and are covered with a velvety pubescence that beads water like a freshly waxed car. As the leaves mature, they darken to a reddish-black satin patina.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject variety was discovered in 1989 growing in a bed of 15,000 containerized Berberis thungbergii Crimson Pygmy at the Leo Gentry Wholesale Nursery in Gresham, Oreg. The plants in this bed were propagated from vegetative cuttings taken from several thousand mature Crimson Pygmy plants growing at the nursery. All of the plants growing in this bed were from cuttings taken from Crimson Pygmy plants.

The new variety is distinguishable from other varieties of barberry due to the rich blush burgundy color of its leaves, which turn to a reddish-black satin patina as they mature. The variety also exhibits more resistance to sunburn and scald than other red-leaved varieties of barberry. Plants of the new variety have been asexually reproduced at Gresham, Oreg. using soft-wood cuttings. The characteristics of the new variety have been found to remain true when asexually reproduced, through multiple generations over a four-year period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a recently planted one gallon-sized plant of the subject variety in a landscape setting showing the color of newly formed leaves.

FIG. 2 is a close-up of the variety showing the color of mature leaves and showing the beading of water on the leaves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following description is based on plants growing at the Leo Genry Wholesale Nursery in Gresham, Oreg. Color references are to the Pantome Matching System, 1963, 1992.

The vegetative and reproductive parts of the new variety are, in most respects, typical of barberry plants. Its growth pattern and the size and shape of its leaves are similar to the Crimsom Pygmy barberry. The mature plant develops into a densely compact, low-mounding shrub, slightly smaller than the Crimson Pygmy, but similar in habit. It produces clusters of small yellow flowers followed by tiny red fruiting bodies that are typical of the genus.

Juvenile leaves of the subject variety are covered with a beautiful velvety pubescence that beads water drops like a freshly waxed car. The leaf develops as a superior and much richer blush burgundy (No. 504) than does Crimson Pygmy, then gradually darkens to a soft but showy, reddish-black satin patina (No. 439-440) as it fully matures. The leaves of Crimson Pygmy develop a reflective, waxy sheen which does not occur with the subject variety. The contrast between the two plants is readily noticeable at a glance under any lighting, but is especially pronounced in bright sunlight. The leaves of the subject variety retain their color throughout the propagation period, even in the shade, whereas the parent, Crimson Pygmy, washes out to a burnt orange color. Another particularly unique characteristic of the subject variety is that its leaves resist burning even in full sun. Blocks of plants were deliberately placed on a south aspect so they received maximum exposure to the hot afternoon sun. In spite of daily waterings and water drops standing on the tender young leaves, there was no apparent evidence of sunburn or scald. This is a distinct difference from Crimson Pygmy.

Stems of new growth are nearly identical in color to the blush burgundy of the leaves, but there is one botanically unique stem feature not seen in other red-leaved barberry. Berberis thunbergii typically has one spine at the base of each leaf node. The spine on the subject variety most commonly occurs in threes on the mature plant.

It is believed that the subject variety is cold-hardy to U.S.D.A. Cold-hardiness Zone 3.

Details of the subject variety in comparison with the parent variety and the closest known patented varieties are set forth in the following table: (The characteristics of the patented varieties are based on the patents and thus are limited to the disclosures made in the patents, as noted).

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SPECIFICATION GENTRY CULTIVAR
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Foliage
Color
Immature      Pantone #504. New leaves
              emerge burgundy both surfaces.
              Not glossy-distinctive flat "finish"
Mature        Pantone #439-440 w/hints of
              green to all green underside
              Not glossy-distinctive flat "finish"
Interior & Heavy Shade
              Pantone #575-Dull green w/some
              splotches of red mature leaf color
              Not glossy-distinctive flat "finish"
Texture       Finely pubescent, both surfaces
              whitish under
Size & Shape  Obovate to Orbicular. Much more
              rounded that Crimson Pygmy.
              L × W = 0.75-1" × .6"
Margin        Smooth
Plant Growth
Rate          3-6"/yr at the location of plant
              culture in Gresham, OR
Form          Densely compact, low mounding.
              Expected to mature at about
              21/2' H × 3' W. Multiple upright
              basal branching.
Stems         Older stems woody. New growth
              emerges green w/red tinge,
              turning entirely red, then woody.
Spines        Spine is borne singly at first then
              most commonly occurs 3-parted
Internodal length
              0.4-0.6" at location of culture
Flowering Habit
              Small red flowers followed by tiny
              red fruiting bodies are typical for
              the Genus
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SPECIFICATION CRIMSON PYGMY
______________________________________
Foliage
Color
Immature      Pantone #490. New leaves
              emerge crimson both surfaces.
              Highly glossy
Mature        Pantone #4975 w/hints of
              green to all green underside
              Hightly glossy
Interior & Heavy Shade
              Pantone #574-Shiny green w/
              some splotches of the mature red
              Highly glossy
Texture       Smooth, waxy, both surfaces-
              somewhat glaucous under
Size & Shape  Obovate to Spatulate-oblong
              More elongated
              L × W = 1.25" ×
Margin        Smooth
Plant Growth
Rate          Growth rate in similar conditions
              at Gresham, OR about twice that
              of Royal Burgundy
Form          Low, dense plant much wider
              than high. 11/2' H × 21/2-3' W
              Multiple upright basal branching.
Stems         Older growth woody. New
              growth green with reddish tips.
Spines        Usually has single spines
Internodal length
              0.4-0.6" at location of culture
Flowering Habit
              Small yellow flowers, tiny red
              fruiting bodies
______________________________________
SPECIFICATION DeGROOT PP 703
______________________________________
Foliage
Color
Immature      Upper = Victoria Lake Plate 1
              Under = corydalis Green Pl 41
Mature        Upper = Hayes Maroom Plate 13
              Under = Lt Grape Green Plate 41
Interior & Heavy Shade
              Not stated on patent
Texture       Leathery above, glauscent below
Size & Shape  Spatulate. About 11/2" long
Margin        Not stated on patent
Plant Growth
Rate          To 4' w/n 3 years
Form          Upright, ascending branches.
              To 4' w/n 3 years
Stems         Chestnut brown. Upright
              branches.
Spines        Simple spine at each leaf cluster
Internodal length
              Not stated on patent
Flowering Habit
              Inconspicuous yellow flower
              racemes. Oblong Nopal Red fruit.
______________________________________
SPECIFI-
CATION   CRAWFORD PP 1969
                         de WIT PP 6269
______________________________________
Foliage
Color
Immature Munsell Mod Red Munsell Brt Fuscia
         2.5 R 4/10      5 RP 5/6-3-6
Mature   Munsell Dk Red 2.5
                         Munsell 7.5 P 4/2-2-2
         R 3/7           w/lighter maroon veins
Interior &
         Not stated on patent
                         Not stated on patent
Heavy Shade
Texture  Not stated on patent
                         Glabrous
Size & Shape
         Ovate. L × W = 1/2×
                         Broadly elliptical.
         1" × 1/4-1"
                         L × W = 2" × 1-11/2 "
Margin   Not stated on patent
                         Sometimes serrated
                         w/age
Plant Growth
Rate     Not stated on patent
                         Not stated on patent
Form     Spreading, dense
                         Fountain-like habit.
         Medium size     Strong basal branching.
                         Size not specified.
Stems    Mature wood is  Older stems cordovan
         moderate yellowish-
                         brown. Immature twigs
         brown streaked w/
                         vary in color from deep
         dark red. New growth,
                         magenta at the tip to
         moderate red    brown at the base
Spines   Vary from simple to 3-
                         Not stated on patent
         parted
Internodal
         Not stated on patent
                         Not stated on patent
length
Flowering
         No flowers or fruit
                         Yellow flowers and red
Habit                    ellipsoidal fruit.
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Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A new and distinct variety of Berberis thunbergii substantially as shown and described, characterized particularly by the rich blush burgundy color of its newly-formed leaves which mature to a reddish-black satin patina, and by the resistance of the leaves to sunburn and scald.