U.S. patent number PP32,817 [Application Number 16/873,532] was granted by the patent office on 2021-02-16 for abelia plant named `00-bc-46-4`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.. Invention is credited to Sherrod Baden, Allen Byous, Carol Robacker, Sloane Michele Scheiber.
United States Patent |
PP32,817 |
Robacker , et al. |
February 16, 2021 |
Abelia plant named `00-BC-46-4`
Abstract
A new and distinct cultivar of Abelia plant named `00-BC-46-4`,
characterized by a combination of attractive foliage, compact form,
large flower panicles, heavy blooming, and low maintenance
requirements.
Inventors: |
Robacker; Carol (Peachtree
City, GA), Scheiber; Sloane Michele (Parkesburg, PA),
Baden; Sherrod (Milner, GA), Byous; Allen (Thomaston,
GA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. |
Athens |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
University of Georgia Research
Foundation, Inc. (Athens, GA)
|
Family
ID: |
74569831 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/873,532 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/226 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
5/02 (20130101); A01H 6/00 (20180501) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/02 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/226 |
Primary Examiner: Para; Annette H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Thomas | Horstemeyer, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Abelia plant named
`00-BC-46-4` as illustrated and described herein.
Description
Botanical designation: Abelia hybrid.
Cultivar denomination `00-BC-46-4.`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the
ornamental flowering shrub Abelia hereinafter referred to by the
varietal denomination `00-BC-46-4`.
The new Abelia `00-BC-46-4` is a product of a planned breeding
program conducted by the inventors in Griffin, Ga. The objective of
the Abelia breeding program is to produce a tough and adaptable
drought-tolerant plant with commercial value. This cultivar has
significant commercial and home gardener appeal with its attractive
foliage, large flower panicles, heavy blooming and low maintenance
requirements. These and other qualities are enumerated herein.
Pedigree and History: The new Abelia `00-BC-46-4` originated from a
cross in 1998 between Abelia chinensis R. Br. (unpatented, female
parent) and Abelia x grandiflora (Andr) Rehd `Francis Mason`
(unpatented, male parent). A seedling selection from this cross,
99-54-3, was backcrossed to the original A. chinensis parent in
2000, and ovule culture was performed to obtain seedlings. In
September 2001, these seedlings were planted in a field plot in
Griffin, Ga. (USDA cold hardiness zone 8a). Selection criteria
included flowering and foliage characteristics, plant form and
height, cold hardiness and drought tolerance. Plant `00-BC-46-4`
was selected for further evaluation and was asexually propagated
via shoot cuttings for evaluation in a field plot in Griffin, Ga.
in 2004 and in 2006 (6 reps each time, randomized block design), in
Blairsville, Ga. (USDA cold hardiness zone 7a) in 2005 (4 reps,
randomized block design), and in containers at the Center for
Applied Nursery Research in Dearing, Ga. and Griffin, Ga. in 2004
and 2006 (three reps per location, per year).
Clonally propagated plants have been evaluated in Griffin, Ga. for
up to 16 years and in Blairsville, Ga. for 14 years. The first
measurements were made in March 2004; half of the plants were
pruned every two years to a height of 40 to 50 cm, and half were
left unpruned. Height and width data were collected in Griffin
every two years prior to pruning. First bloom dates were recorded
each year. Winter cold and spring frost damage were assessed each
spring in Griffin and Blairsville. Date of first bloom was recorded
each year. Observation for disease or insect damage was continuous
throughout the summer. In all evaluations, Abelia `Rose Creek`
(unpatented hybrid from open pollination of Abelia chinensis
(female parent) and unknown male parent) was used as a check
cultivar; the A. chinensis parent was also used as a check in the
Griffin plots. Observations of the resulting `00-BC-46-4` progeny
have shown that the unique features of this new Abelia `00-BC-46-4`
are stable and reproduced true to type in successive
generations.
Abelia is a genus of 15-30 species, and interspecific hybrids are
popular landscape plants. They range from deciduous to evergreen,
depending upon the cultivar and the climate. They have attractive,
colorful foliage and flower from late spring to autumn. Abelia is a
low-maintenance shrub that is tolerant of any well-drained soil,
has heat and drought tolerance and is resistant to most pests. It
thrives in full sun or part shade and can generally be grown in
cold hardiness zones 5 through 9. The new Abelia `00-BC-46-4` plant
is expected to be distributed for landscape use in the U.S. and
perhaps in other countries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent
the unique and distinguishing characteristics of a new variety,
Abelia `00-BC-46-4`. The new variety `00-BC-46-4` has not been
observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype
may vary somewhat with variations in, for example, temperature,
light intensity, soil types, and water and fertility levels
without, however, any variance in genotype.
Asexual reproduction of the new Abelia `00-BC-46-4` by softwood
stem cuttings since 2004 has shown that the unique features of this
new Abelia are stable and reproduced true to type in successive
generations.
`00-BC-46-4` plants, along with `Rose Creek` and A. chinensis
(maternal parent of `00-BC-46-4`) have been evaluated since 2001 in
field plots at Griffin, Ga. and since 2006 in Blairsville, Ga.
`Rose Creek` was used as a standard for comparison as it is a
popular cultivar that has A. chinensis as a maternal parent. Height
and width data were collected in Griffin every two years on
unpruned plants and prior to pruning for those pruned every two
years. First bloom dates were recorded each year. Winter cold and
spring frost damage was assessed each spring in Griffin and
Blairsville. Date of first bloom was recorded each year.
Observation for disease or insect damage was continuous throughout
the summer.
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, 2001
(5.sup.th edition) published by The Royal Horticultural Society,
London, England.
The following traits have been consistently observed in the
original plant of this new variety and in asexually propagated
progeny grown from stem cuttings in Blairsville, and Griffin, Ga.,
and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, their combination
forms the unique characteristics of the new variety `00-BC-46-4`
and set it apart from all other existing varieties of Abelia known
to the inventors. 1. `00-BC-46-4` is unique in that it has very
large panicles which often become thyrsoid (FIG. 2). 2. The
panicles of `00-BC-46-4 are borne on short stems (Table 1). 3. The
panicles are very numerous. At peak bloom, the foliage is barely
visible due to these large panicles (FIG. 1). 4. `00-BC-46-4` also
has a rounded compact form (FIG. 1).
Plants of the new Abelia `00-BC-46-4` differ from plants of the
Abelia cultivar `Rose Creek` and the parental species Abelia
chinensis in the following characteristics. 1. The new variety
`00-BC-46-4` has larger compound panicles and a greater number of
subpanicles than those of A. chinensis and `Rose Creek`. (Table 1,
FIG. 2). 2. The new variety `00-BC-46-4` has a more compact form
than A. chinensis, with shorter internodes than A. chinensis. Also,
the length of the stem that supports the panicle is shorter on
`00-BC-46-4` than on either A. chinensis or `Rose Creek` (Table 1,
FIG. 1). 3. The new variety `00-BC-46-4` is shorter in height than
A. chinensis (Table 3). 4. Sepal color of `Rose Creek` is
pink/purple, while `00-BC-46-4` and A. chinensis have pale green or
pale pink sepals (Table 4). 5. Date of first bloom was earlier in
most years for `00-BC-46-4` than for A. chinensis or `Rose Creek`
(Table 5).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the
overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar
of Abelia `00-BC-46-4.` The colors in the photographs are as close
as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized.
Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values
cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately
describes the colors of the new Abelia `00-BC-46-4`. The
photographs were taken of plants grown outdoors in Georgia on the
dates and locations specified below.
The photographs labeled FIGS. 1A-1C depict the overall plant habit
of `00-BC-46-4` (FIG. 1A, taken on Aug. 29, 2011 in Blairsville,
Ga.), as compared to `Rose Creek` (FIG. 1B taken Aug. 5, 2016 in
Griffin, Ga.) and A. chinensis (FIG. 1C taken Aug. 23, 2004 in
Griffin, Ga.).
The photographs labeled FIGS. 2A-C depict a close-up view of the
compound panicles of `00-BC-46-4` (FIG. 2A taken Aug. 23, 2004 in
Griffin, Ga.), as compared to `Rose Creek` (FIG. 2B taken Aug. 8,
2019 in Griffin, Ga.) and A. chinensis (FIG. 2C taken Aug. 8, 2019
in Griffin, Ga.). Note sepal and flower color, as well as size.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
The following traits have been consistently observed in the
original plant of this new variety and in asexually propagated
progeny grown from stem cuttings in Blairsville, and Griffin, Ga.,
and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, their combination
forms the unique characteristics of the new variety
`00-BC-46-4`.
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,
4.sup.th edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society
(R.H.S.), London, England in 2001.
The following observations, measurements, and values describe
plants grown in Griffin, Ga. `00-BC-46-4` was propagated from
softwood stem cuttings and grown in one-gallon containers prior to
planting in field plots. Data are from plants planted and grown in
the field since 2001, 2004 and 2006.
The new variety `00-BC-46-4` is a medium-sized Abelia with bright
green foliage and numerous large panicles made up of white flowers
with pale green sepals changing to pale pink. The large panicles of
`00-BC-46-4` are especially noteworthy because they often become
thyrsoid. Peak bloom occurs in mid-July, though the sepals make a
stunning display through the end of summer, and the blossoms are
highly fragrant. Form is upright and compact. Blooming is heavy,
even on young plants in containers or in the field.
Two checks were used for comparison to `00-BC-46-4`: A. chinensis
and `Rose Creek`. Of all available Abelia, the species A. chinensis
appears most similar to `00-BC-46-4`. No commercial cultivar is
similar, though `Rose Creek` also has A. chinensis as a parent.
Table 1 compares some morphological characteristics of the checks,
`Rose Creek` and A. chinensis to `00-BC-46-4`. Individual panicle
size is generally larger on A. chinensis and much smaller on `Rose
Creek` than on `00-BC-46-4`. However, panicles typically group into
compound panicles resulting in very large conical thyrse structures
on `00-BC-46-4`. `00-BC-46-4` has a much more compact appearance
than A. chinensis, as the panicles are held close to the plant
rather than supported on long stems as is A. chinensis. The mean
length of the stems supporting the panicles was 6.9 cm on
`00-BC-46-4` versus 20.1 cm on A. chinensis. Panicles on `Rose
Creek` are intermediate in length. `Rose Creek` has a very compact
form, as is shown by the short internode length (1.2 cm), while A.
chinensis has a very loose form (internode length 2.7 cm).
`00-BC-46-4` is intermediate to the checks (2.0 cm).
Height and width data are presented in Tables 2 and 3. Half of the
`00-BC-46-4` and `Rose Creek` plants were severely pruned every two
years beginning in March 2004 to a height of 40 to 50 cm. Plants
were measured prior to pruning. Data shown in Table 2 were
collected in 2010 and 2017 on plants that had been pruned two years
earlier. Results show that in 2010, when plants had been in the
field for an average of 5 years, the height of `00-BC-46-4` (86 cm)
was similar in height to `Rose Creek` (92 cm), though `Rose Creek`
was wider. However, by 2017, when the plants had been in the field
for an average of 12 years, `Rose Creek` was shorter than
`00-BC-46-4`. In Table 3, height and widths are compared for plants
that were field planted in 2001 and were pruned every two years.
The results after 9 and 16 years of growth reveal that `00-BC-46-4`
is intermediate in size to the smaller `Rose Creek` and the larger
A. chinensis.
Flower color of `00-BC-46-4`, `Rose Creek` and A. chinensis is
white. However, sepal color of `00-BC-46-4` starts as green,
becoming light pink, and turning brown in late summer and fall,
whereas `Rose Creek` has pink/purple sepals (Table 4). Both
`00-BC-46-4` and A. chinensis are deciduous, while `Rose Creek` is
mostly evergreen. In Griffin, all three cultivars have their first
bloom about early to mid-June (Table 5), though peak bloom is
generally mid-July for `00-BC-46-4`, late July for A. chinensis,
and early August for `Rose Creek`.
Field evaluations in Griffin since 2001 have shown very little or
no cold damage on `00-BC-46-4`. Plants of `00-BC-46-4` were
evaluated in Blairsville, Ga. for two winters, 2005-06 and 2006-07.
Little or no cold damage was observed on `00-BC-46-4` in
Blairsville, despite cold temperatures beginning in early November
and continuing sporadically throughout the winter (for instance,
Nov. 3, 2005 had a low temperature of -2 C, 29 F; Nov. 18, 2005 had
a low temperature of -8 C, 17 F; Dec. 9, 2006 had a low temperature
of -13 C, 9 F; and Jan. 29 2007 had a low temperature of -13 C, 8
F) and late spring freezes (Apr. 7, 2007 temperature of -6 C, 22
F).
Plants of the Abelia genus tend to drop leaves by late summer in
response to heat, drought or overly wet conditions. Evaluation for
leaf retention in September 2004 through 2007, following summers
with heavy rainfall due to tropical depressions, or heat and
drought, revealed that `00-BC-46-4` has excellent leaf
retention.
`00-BC-46-4` is readily propagated through cuttings. Six-inch
cuttings taken in May or early June before flowering rooted at a
rate of over 70%. After 2 months, cuttings can be transferred to
one-gallon containers using a well-drained potting mix. From
cutting to saleable plant is about 8 months. No insect or disease
problems have been noted in potted plants maintained outside the
greenhouse or in field plants. Once established, the plants are
quite drought resistant. After landscape establishment, a hard
pruning is recommended in early spring, approximately every other
year, to encourage compact growth and heavy blooming.
The aforementioned photographs and following observations,
measurements, and values describe plants of the new Abelia
`00-BC-46-4` grown in Griffin, Ga. propagated from softwood stem
cuttings and grown in one-gallon containers prior to planting in
field plots. Data are from plants planted and grown in the field
since 2001, 2004 and 2006. Botanical classification: Abelia
`00-BC-46-4`. Commercial classification: Shrub. Parentage: Initial
cross between Abelia chinensis (unpatented female parent) and
Abelia x grandiflora (Andr) Rehd `Francis Mason` (unpatented, male
parent) produced seedling selection backcrossed to original A.
chinensis parent, seedlings obtained from ovule culture and planted
in field plot from which plant `00-BC-46-4` selected and asexually
propagated. Growth and propagation: Propagation type.--By softwood
stem cuttings and tissue culture. Growth rate.--Softwood cuttings
rooted in 5 to 6 weeks at an approximate temperature of 80.degree.
F. under the mist. Root description.--White, dense, freely
branched. Rooting habit.--Fibrous. Plant description:
Form.--Deciduous shrub, upright, compact, foliated, with heavy
blooming. Usage.--Various uses, such as container patio plants,
potted plants, landscape uses such as border, hedge, and mass
planting. Vigor.--Moderate growth rate. Habit.--Branches upright
when young, becoming pendulous with maturity. Size of plant.--Data
collected on unpruned plants after 13 years growth in a field in
Griffin, Ga. A. Height: 206 cm. B. Width: 305 cm. Stem.--A. First
Year: 1. Color: Greyed-Red 182B. 2. Diameter (at base of stem):
About 1.5 mm. 3. Texture/Pubescence: Pubescent. 4. Shape: Round. 5.
Odor (of bruised stem): Faint. 6. Internode Length: About 2 cm. 7.
Pith: a. Type: Solid. b. Color: Yellow-Green 145D. 8. Strength:
Very strong. B. Second Year: 1. Color: Brown 200C. Diameter: About
7.5 mm. Exfoliation: Developing lengthwise cracks starting about
1/2 way back from the tip. Vegetative buds.--A. Arrangement:
Opposite -- some triplets. B. Type: Imbricate in opposite pairs. C.
Size (length.times.width): Approx. 1/2 mm.times.1/2 mm. D. Scale
Number: 6. E. Scale Color: Greyed-Purple 185B. F.
Position/Disposition (angle to stem): 45.degree.. G. Number at
Node: 2-3 vegetative. H. Pubescence: Sparse, mostly along edges. I.
Shape: Lanceolate. Leaf scar.--A. Shape: Rounded crescent. B.
Vascular Bundle Traces (number, orientation): 3 horizontal across
scar. C. Pubescence: Short hairs around scar margin. D. Position of
Bud (on leaf scar): Just above scar in leaf axil. E. Color
Differentiation: 141D. F. Size (h.times.w): 1 mm.times.1.5 mm.
Trunk or large stems.--A. Color(s): Panel A between Brown 200 and
Grey 201. B. What Size Stem Exfoliation Begins On: About 3.5 mm
diameter. C. Diameter: About 5 mm. D. Texture: A bit rough due to
striation of bark. Leaf.--A. Type: Entire. B. Color Through Seasons
(R.H.S.): 1. Emerging: April. a. Upper: Green 143A. b. Lower:
Yellow-Green 145B. 2. Summer: July. a. Upper: Green 143A. b. Lower:
Yellow-Green 145B. 3. Fall: September. a. Upper: Green 137C with
Greyed-Purple. b. Lower: Yellow-Green 145B. C. Mature Size
(L.times.W): About 3 cm.times.2 cm. D. Apex: Acute. E. Base:
Rounded, aequilateral. F. Margin: Slightly crenate. G. Shape:
Simple, rounded accuminate. H. Lobes (present/absent): Absent. I.
Vein Color: Yellow-Green 147D. J. Pubescense (all surfaces): 1.
Upper Surface: Scattered tiny hairs. 2. Lower Surface: Scattered
tiny hairs. 3. Concentration of longer hairs along base of mid
vein. 4. Single row of hairs around leaf margin. K. Arrangement on
Stem: Mostly opposite, some trifoliar. L. Venation: Simple
alternate. M. Texture: 1. Thickness: About 0.4 mm. 2. Degree of
waxiness of surfaces: Slightly waxy. N. Odor when Crushed: Faint
grassy. Petiole.--A. Length: About 3 mm. B. Shape: Slightly curved
and concave. C. Color (RHS): Green 137C with Greyed-Orange 176B on
the edges. D. Texture/Pubescence: Sparse hairs along edges. E.
Diameter: About 1 mm. Flower buds.--A. Size (L.times.W): About 12
mm.times.4 mm. B. Color: Yellow-White 158A. C. Shape: Elongated
teardrop. D. Pubescence: Covered in short glandular hairs. E. Time
of Full Maturity: Early summer. F. Time Range for Showiness: Early
summer to frost. Inflorescence.--A. Type: Compound panicle
sometimes becoming thyrsoid at peak bloom. B. Number per Plant: 200
to 400, depending upon the size of the mature plant. C. Size
(L.times.W): 1. Small about 6 cm.times.5 cm. 2. Larger about 14
cm.times.10 cm. 3. Thyrse structures are much larger. D. Color:
Flowers form continuously throughout the summer. 1. At emergence:
White 155D. 2. Full bloom: White 155D. 3. Fading: Greyed-Yellow
161B. E. Longevity: July to frost. F. Peduncle: 1. Length: Mean 38
cm. 2. Diameter: Mean 5 mm. 3. Color (RHS): Green 143A. 4.
Texture/Pubescence: Scattered short hairs. 5. Strength: Strong. 6.
Aspect: 50 to 80.degree.. Flower.--A. Number per Inflorescence:
500+ at various stages of bloom. B. Axillary or Terminal: Axillary.
C. Symmetry: Regular, actinomorphic. D. Size (L.times.W): 12
mm.times.8 mm. E. Fragrance: Highly floral. F. Bud: 1. Size
(L.times.W): 12 mm.times.4 mm. 2. Shape: Elongated teardrop. 3.
Color (RHS): Yellow-White 158A. 4. Texture/Pubescence: Covered in
short glandular hairs. G. Longevity: Varies. H. Petals: 1. Number:
One, gamopetalous. 2. Size (L.times.W): About 12 mm.times.8 mm. 3.
Shape: Funnel, slightly tubular, gamopetalous. 4. Apex: 5 or 6
lobes, rounded and slightly curled. 5. Base: Funnel shaped with
short tube approximately 1/3 the length of the flower. 6. Margin:
Entire but slightly curled. 7. Color at Peak of Bloom (RHS): a.
Upper Surface: White 155D. b. Lower Surface: White 155D. 8.
Texture/Pubescence: Puncticulate; Outside has short glandular
hairs, inside hairs are stubbier, glandular; Longer hairs extending
into calyx throat. 9. Arrangement: NA. I. Pedicels: 1. Color (RHS):
Green 143A. 2. Texture/Pubescence: Scattered short hairs. 3.
Length: About 2 mm -- bracteoles present. 4. Aspect: 45.degree.. 5.
Strength: Medium. J. Sepals: 1. Number: Mostly 5, occasionally 6.
2. Size (L.times.W): About 7 mm.times.2.5 mm. 3. Shape: Obilleptic.
4. Apex: Rounded. 5. Base: Attenuate. 6. Margin: Usually entire --
rarely cleft. 7. Texture: Smooth -- veinlets visible. 8.
Pubescence: Covered in very short hairs. 9. Color at peak of bloom
(RHS): a. Upper Surface: Yellow-Green 144C turning to Red-Purple
63D. b. Lower Surface: Yellow-Green 144D turning to Red-Purple 63C.
K. Male Reproductive Structures: 1. Number: 4. 2. Anther:
Dorsfixed. a. Size (L.times.W): About 2 mm.times.0.5 mm. b. Shape:
Cylindrical. c. Color (RHS): White 155B. d. Texture/Pubescence:
Pubescent. 3. Filament: a. Size (L.times.W): About 13-14
mm.times.0.2 mm. b. Color (RHS): White N155B. c.
Texture/Pubescence: Smooth with scattered hairs. 4. Pollen: a.
Quantity: Moderate. b. Color (RHS): White N155B. L. Female
Reproductive Structures: 1. Pistil: a. Shape: Monostylus -- Free.
b. Size (L.times.W): About 18 mm.times.0.8 mm. c. Position:
Epigynous -- Ovary Inferior. d. Color (RHS): See stigma and style
colors below. e. Pubescence: Very sparse hairs along style. 2.
Stigma: a. Shape: Circular, domes. b. Color (RHS): Orange-White
159D. c. Pubescence: Punticulate -- surface made of short, clear
papillose structures. 3. Style: a. Length: About 16 mm. b. Shape:
Tubular. c. Color (RHS): White 155B. d. Pubescence: Very sparse
hairs -- mostly glabrous -- surface puncticulate. 4. Ovary: a.
Shape: Oval. b. Number: 1. c. Pubescence: None. Fruit.--A. Type:
Achene. B. Size (L.times.W): About 8 mm.times.1.5 mm. C. Color(s)
During Ripening; Seeds ripen through the summer. 1. Early: Green
143C. 2. Mid: Green 143B. 3. Late: Grey-Brown N199B. D. Shape:
Grooved cylindrical capsule. E. Number per Infructescence: 1. F.
Pubescence: Covered in short curved hairs. G. Number of Carpels: 1.
H. Persistence (effective period): Indeterminate -- summer to
frost. Seed.--A. Shape: Achene -- elongated capsule -- slightly
grooved longitudinally. B. Size: About 8 mm.times.1.5 mm. C. Color
(RHS): Grey-Brown N199B. D. Number per Locule per Ovary per Fruit:
4-5 (only 1 viable embryo per seed). E. Germination Capacity: About
30%. F. Pubescence: Covered in short curved hairs.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparison of morphological traits of
`00-BC-46-4`, A. chinensis, and `Rose Creek`. Data were collected
from field-grown plants in full sun in Griffin, Georgia. Largest
Mean length Flower panicle of stem size Size supporting Cultivar
(mm) (cm) panicle (cm) `00-BC-46-4` 14 .times. 10 14 .times. 10 6.9
A. chinensis 14 .times. 10 16.5 .times. 12.5 20.1 `Rose Creek` 12
.times. 11 5.5 .times. 5.5 11.2 Mean Mean length of number of Mean
compound subpanicles Internode panicles per compound Cultivar
length (cm) (cm).sup.1 panicle.sup.1 `00-BC-46- 2.0 40.0 29.4 4` A.
chinensis 2.7 27.0 14.1 `Rose Creek` 1.2 11.0 9.2 .sup.1Length of
compound panicles and number of subpanicles was determined by
averaging the ten longest compound panicles on a plant of similar
age.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Height and width of `00-BC-46-4` and `Rose
Creek` of field-grown plants in full sun in Griffin, Georgia. Half
of the plants were pruned late winter/early spring every two years
beginning in March 2004 to a height of 40 to 50 cm. Prior to
pruning, height and width measurements were taken. In 2010, the
average age of the plants was 5 years and in 2017 the age was 12
years. Height Width Height Width Height Width (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
(cm) (cm) 2010 2010 2017 2017 2017 2017 Cultivar Pruned Pruned
Pruned Pruned Unpruned Unpruned `00-BC-46- 86 121 146 244 206 305
4` `Rose Creek` 92 150 125 196 184 295
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Height and width of `00-BC-46-4`, `Rose
Creek` and A. chinensis plants field-grown in full sun in Griffin,
Georgia since 2001, after 9 years (2010) and 16 years (2017) years
of field growth. Plants were pruned late winter/early spring every
two years beginning in March 2004 to a height of 40 to 50 cm. Prior
to pruning, height and width measurements were taken. Height Width
Height Width (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) Cultivar 2010 2010 2017 2017
`00-BC-46-4` 145 220 174 265 `Rose Creek` 117 200 132 215 A.
chinensis 204 240 231 294
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Flower and sepal color and size of
`00-BC-46-4`, A. chinensis, and `Rose Creek`. Data were collected
from field-grown plants in full sun in Griffin, Georgia on Aug. 8,
2019. Flower Flower size Sepal size Cultivar Color (mm) Sepal color
(mm) `00-BC-46-4` White 14 .times. 10 149C, yellow 7 .times. 2.5
green; 181D greyed-red A. chinensis White 14 .times. 10 149D
yellow- 6 .times. 2 green/182D greyed-red `Rose Creek` White 12
.times. 11 185D greyed- 5 .times. 2 purple
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Average date of first bloom of the season in
2015, 2016, and 2017 for plants grown in Griffin, Georgia. Plants
were not pruned in 2015 and 2017. The number of replicates per mean
is given in parentheses. 2015 2016 2016 2017 Cultivar Unpruned
Unpruned Pruned Unpruned `00-BC-46- June 9 June 6 June 29 May 24 4`
(7) (3) (4) (7) A. chinensis June 15 N/A July 11 June 5 (1) (1) (1)
`Rose Creek` June 18 June 4 July 24 May 29 (8) (3) (5) (8)
* * * * *