Patent Grant
PP21983
Genus species: Gardenia jasminoides.
Varietal denomination: ‘Leeone’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of the genus Gardenia and a member of the Rubiaceae family. This new Gardenia variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘Leeone’, was discovered by Robert Edward Lee in October, 2000. ‘Leeone’ is characterized by its dense, upright, globose growth habit, dark green foliage color, and abundance of fragrant, double white flowers.
‘Leeone’ was found as an openly pollinated seedling in a group of Gardenia jasminoides ‘Daisy’ (unpatented) seedling plants being grown in Independence, La. The value of this new cultivar lies in its dense, upright, globose growth habit, dark green foliage color, and abundance of fragrant, double, white flowers. ‘Leeone’ has retained many of the outstanding attributes of its parent variety, in particular its tolerance of heat and disease, which makes it adaptable to culture in most of the Sunbelt States. As with the parent variety, the plant of this invention may be advantageously employed as a specimen appointment, in either formal or informal groupings, and is quite attractive in mass plantings. ‘Leeone’ serves well in foundation plantings and is adaptable for culture as a potted plant. ‘Leeone’ is responsive to pruning and training and may be maintained without an excessive amount of care. This plant is easy to care for and maintain in size due to its heavy branching and dense canopy. Its natural propensity to remain small to maturity makes it valuable for landscape uses in smaller home gardens which require plants that do not outgrow their intended mature dimensions.
Asexual propagation of the new plant by cuttings has been under Mr. Lee's direction and control in Independence, La. The new plant retains its distinctive characteristics and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction. 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.
This new Gardenia jasminoides cultivar is illustrated by the accompanying photographic prints in which:
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 Gardenia based on observations made of two year old plants grown in one to three gallon containers in commercial production practices, in greenhouses, and in established landscape plantings in Independence, La. and including a comparison with Gardenia jasminoides ‘Daisy’ (unpatented) and Gardenia jasminoides ‘August Beauty’ (unpatented).
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Gardenia jasminoides ‘Daisy’ and Gardenia jasminoides ‘August Beauty’ are well known in the industry and are comparable to ‘Leeone’ in that all have green foliage color and white fragrant blooms. However, there are many differences. The growth habit of ‘Leeone’ is dense, upright and globose to 4′ (1.2 m) tall compared to ‘August Beauty’ which is a much taller grower with a more globose habit. The flower form of ‘Leeone’ is double compared to ‘Daisy’, the parent variety, which is single. The foliage of ‘Leeone’ is slightly larger than the parent variety but smaller than ‘August Beauty’.
In 2007, the date of initial spring growth was March 20, in Independence, La. After the initial spring flush there was almost continuous growth until fall, ending October 28, also in Independence, La. When grown in full sun, the internode length of this plant is 1¾″ (4.4 cm) to 2½″ (6.3 cm). When grown in light shade the internode length is 2⅛″ (5.4 cm) to 2¾″ (6.9 cm). As would be expected, a plant grown in the shade results in a taller, less dense plant with larger leaves.
The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention.
