Patent Grant
PP32759
Genus and species: Ilex crenata x I. maximowicziana.
Variety denomination: The new Ilex crenata x I. maximowicziana claimed is of the cultivar denominated ‘RutHol4’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of a Japanese holly plant named ‘RutHol4’. Seed was collected from an unnamed F1 seedling (female) from the original cross of Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ (unpatented female) x I. maximowicziana #10-8S (unpatented male parent) plant.
The new ‘RutHol4’ variety is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor (in Watkinsville, Ga.). The objective of the Ilex breeding program is to create new plant cultivars with novel forms of growth, good cold hardiness, and resistance to damage from spider mites, insects and diseases.
The new ‘RutHol4’ plant is thus a product of Ilex crenata x Ilex maximowicziana F1 seedlings. The cross was made in 2010. The collected seed was sown in fall of 2010 and 276 seedlings were taken to a research nursery in Dearing, Ga. in spring of 2012. ‘RutHol4’, one of the plants grown from the collected seed, was selected for further evaluation in summer of 2014. ‘RutHol4’ has been evaluated for container production since 2012.
‘RutHol4’ has been evaluated through trials at a horticultural farm in Watkinsville, Ga. from 2016.
Asexual reproduction of the new ‘RutHol4’ variety was by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled environment in Dearing, Ga. and Watkinsville, Ga. since 2014. Observations of the new variety have shown that the unique features of this new ‘RutHol4’ are stable and have reproduced true to type in successive generations.
The cultivar ‘RutHol4’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.
The following represents the distinguishing characteristics of the new Ilex cultivar named ‘RutHol4’. In combination, these traits set ‘RutHol4’ apart from all other existing varieties of Ilex known to the inventor.
The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar ‘RutHol4’. The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized.
The photograph labeled
The photograph labeled
The new ‘RutHol4’ is a female plant, unlike ‘Ruthol1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,905) which is a male plant. ‘RutHol4’ is a faster growing plant than ‘Sky Pencil’. In one growing trial, four year old (from cutting) ‘RutHol4’ plants growing in the ground averaged about 172 cm high, while five year old ‘Sky Pencil’ plants averaged about 117 cm high. The height to width ratio of Ilex maximowicziana #10-8S (unpatented) is less than the height to with ratio of ‘RutHol4’. In comparison, an eight year old plant of this #10-8S variety had a height to width ratio of 0.6. Also, the leaves of the ‘RutHol4’ plant are much larger than the leaves of both ‘Sky Pencil’ and Ilex maximowicziana #10-8S. The leaves of the new plant are typically from 3.0 cm to 4.0 cm long in comparison to leaves of these two other plants which are typically 2 cm to 3 cm long.
The following is a detailed description of the Ilex cultivar named ‘RutHol4’. Data was collected at a horticultural farm in Watkinsville, Ga. from three year old plants grown outdoors and planted in the ground. Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 6th edition published in 2015 by The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, England.
