Patent Grant
PP21738
Genus species: Loropetalum chinense.
Varietal denomination: ‘Shang-white’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of the genus Loropetalum and a member of the Hamamelidaceae family. This new Loropetalum variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘Shang-white’, was discovered by Robert Edward Lee in April, 1998. ‘Shang-white’ is characterized by its dense, globose growth habit, dark green foliage color, and abundance of white flowers.
‘Shang-white’ was found as an openly pollinated seedling in a group of unnamed, unpatented Loropetalum chinense plants being grown in a nursery in Independence, La. The value of this new cultivar lies in its dense, globose growth habit, dark green foliage color, and abundance of white flowers. ‘Shang-white’ 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 species, 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. ‘Shang-white’ serves well in foundation plantings and is adaptable for culture as a potted plant. ‘Shang-white’ is responsive to pruning and training and may be employed in forming dense, attractive hedges, and maintained without an excessive amount of care. This plant is easy to care for and maintain in size due to its short internodes, 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 Loropetalum chinense 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 Loropetalum based on observations made of two year old plants grown in three gallon containers in commercial production practices, in greenhouses, and in established landscape plantings in Independence, La. and including a comparison with Loropetalum chinense (unpatented parent) and Loropetalum chinense ‘NCI002’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,977.
Loropetalum c.
Loropetalum c.
Loropetalum
chinense
The female, or seed parent, of ‘Shang-white’ is Loropetalum chinense (unpatented) which is a native of China. Loropetalum chinense was first introduced to Europe in the 1880's and is believed to have been cultivated in North America since the early 1930's.
Loropetalum chinense and Loropetalum chinense ‘NCI002’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,997 are well known in the industry and are comparable to ‘Shang-white’ in that all have green foliage color and white blooms. However, there are many differences. The growth habit of ‘Shang-white’ is dense and globose to 4′ (1.2 m) tall compared to the parent variety which is a much taller grower with an upright spreading habit. The cultivar ‘NCI002’ has a shorter, more broad growth habit than ‘Shang-white’. In addition, the new growth of ‘NCI002’ has a greyed-orange tint which is not characteristic of ‘Shang-white’.
In 2008, the date of initial spring growth was March 12, in Independence, La. After the initial spring flush there was almost continuous slow growth until fall, ending October 30, also in Independence, La. When grown in full sun, the internode length of this plant is ¼″ (0.6 cm) to ½″ (1.3 cm). When grown in light shade the internode length is ⅜″ (0.9 cm) to ¾″ (1.9 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.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20110016593 P1 | Jan 2011 | US |
