USOOPP24688P2 (12) Patent (10) Patent No.: US PP24,688 P2 Saul et al. (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 22, 2014

(54) “ELECTRICAVENUE (51) Int. Cl. AOIH 5/00 (2006.01) (50) Latin Name: Coreopsis verticillata (52) U.S. Cl. Varietal Denomination: Electric Avenue USPC ...... Pt.f417 (58) Field of Classification Search (71) Applicants: Richard G. Saul, Cleveland, GA (US); USPC ...... Pt.f417 Patricia M. Bauer, Lucinda, PA (US) See application file for complete search history. (72) Inventors: Richard G. Saul, Cleveland, GA (US); Primary Examiner — Annette Para Patricia M. Bauer, Lucinda, PA (US) (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Penny J. Aguirre (73) Assignee: Itsaul , LLC, Alpharetta, GA (57) ABSTRACT US (US) A new of Coreopsis verticillata named Electric (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this Avenue characterized by its inflorescences that are clear patent is extended or adjusted under 35 yellow in color, its thread-leaf foliage, its high bud count, its U.S.C. 154(b) by 110 days. height of 60 to 71 cm and an average spread of 60 cm, its cold hardiness in at least U.S.D.A. Zone 5, and its vigorous growth (21) Appl. No.: 13/573,637 habit with heavy shoot production from over-wintered plants. (22) Filed: Sep. 27, 2012 2 Drawing Sheets

1. 2 Botanical classification: Coreopsis verticillata. Route 66, the parent plant of Electric Avenue differs from Variety denomination: Electric Avenue. Electric Avenue in having ray florets that are paler yellow with a red eye. Electric Avenue can be most closely com BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION pared to Coreopsis Zagreb (not patented) and Coreopsis 5 Moonbeam (not patented). Zagreb is similar to Electric The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar Avenue in having the same dense growth habit with C. ver of Coreopsis plant, botanically known as Coreopsis verticil- ticillata type foliage and a high stem count. Zagreb' differs lata Electric Avenue and will be referred to hereinafter by its from Electric Avenue in having clear golden yellow ray cultivar name, Electric Avenue’. The new cultivar of Core- florets that are shorter in length and more pointed, in being 15 opsis is an herbaceous perennial grown for landscape and 9 cm (6 inches) shorter in height and in requiring Supplemental container use. lighting for winter propagation. Moonbeam is similar to The new invention arose as a naturally occurring branch Electric Avenue in having C. verticillata type foliage. plant mutation of Coreopsis Route 66 (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Moonbeam differs from Electric Avenue in having ray 20.609) that was growing in a container in Alpharetta, Ga. in florets that are paler yellow in color and shorter in length, in Summer of 2009. having a more open plant habit with a lower stem count per Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accom- plant and in being shorter in height. plished by stem tip cuttings under the direction of one of the Inventors in Alpharetta, Ga. in the summer of 2009. The BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING characteristics of this cultivar have been determined to be 2O stable and are reproduced true to type in Successive genera- The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the over tions. all appearance and distinct characteristics of the new Core opsis as grown in Alpharetta, Ga. The photographs were taken SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION of plants about one year in age as grown in a 2-gallon con tainer without deadheading. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are The photograph in FIG. 1 provides a side view of Electric determined to be the characteristics of the new cultivar. These Avenue in bloom. attributes in combination distinguish Electric Avenue as The photograph in FIG. 2 provides a close-up view of an unique from all Coreopsis known to the Inventors. inflorescence of Electric Avenue’. 1. Electric Avenue exhibits inflorescences that are clear The colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the yellow in color and consistent spring through fall. " color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which 2. Electric Avenue exhibits thread-leaf foliage (typical of accurately describe the colors of the new Coreopsis. C. verticillata). 3. Electric Avenue exhibits a high bud count. DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 4. Electric Avenue has shown to be cold hardy at least in U.S.D.A. Zone 5. 3. The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar 5. Electric Avenue' exhibits a height of 60 to 71 cm (24 to as observed on plants about one year in age as grown in 28 inches) and an average spread of 60 cm (24 inches). 2-gallon containers in Alpharetta, Ga. The phenotype of the 6. Electric Avenue exhibits a vigorous growth habit with new cultivar may vary with variations in environmental, cli heavy shoot production from over-wintered plants. matic, and cultural conditions, as it has not been tested under US PP24,688 P2 3 4 all possible environmental conditions. The color determina Inflorescence buds.—Average of 5 mm in depth and 4 tion is in accordance with The 2007 R.H.S. Colour Chart of mm in width, shape is squared oblate, color is 153A The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except with base 137B and apex 153B. where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance Peduncle.—Average of 5 cm in length and 1 mm in are used. 5 diameter, 137C in color, glabrous surface. General description: Involucral bracts: Blooming period...—Continuous blooms May through Bract number. Two rows of 8 typically. September in Alpharetta, Ga. Bract arrangement.—Outer bracts are un-fused spread Plant habit. Herbaceous perennial, densely clump ing and held at 45° from perpendicular, inner bracts forming with numerous basal branching to produce a 10 overlap and surround receptacle with a campanulate bushy habit. form and held close to ray florets with apical portion Height and spread. Reaches a height of 60 to 71 cm spreading outward. (24 to 28 inches) and an average spread of 60 cm (24 Bract size. Outer bracts about 5 mm in length and 1 inches). mm in width, inner bracts about 7 mm in length and 4 Cold hardiness. At least in U.S.D.A. Zone 5. 15 mm in width with free portion an average of 4 mm in Diseases resistance.—No particular resistance or sus length and 3 mm in width. ceptibility has been observed. Bract color:- Outer bracts 137A with thin margin of Root description. Fibrous, fine and well-branched. 145A (both surfaces), inner bracts 137A and blending Growth and propagation: to 153A at apex (both surfaces). Propagation.—Terminal stem cuttings. Bract texture.—Outer bracts glabrous and satiny on both Growth rate. Vigorous with heavy shoot production surfaces, inner bracts glabrous and waxy on both sur from overwintered plants without the need for supple faces. mental lighting in winter. Bract apex. —Acute (inner and outer). Stem description: Bract base. Truncate (inner and outer). Shape. Oval, solid. 25 Bract shape. Outer bracts linear, inner bracts broadly Stem color-144A. OVate. Stem size—An average of 34 cm in length (to the bottom Ray florets (sterile): of the inflorescence) and 2 mm in width. Number–8. Stem surface.—Glabrous, satin finish, slightly ridges. Shape. Oblong. Branching habit. An average of 70 basal branches. 30 Size.—Average of 2.5 cm in length and 8 mm in width. Foliage description: Apex.-Broadly acute and slightly 2-notched. Leaf division. Simple. Base.-Cuneate. Leaf margins.—Deeply incised with an average of 5 Margins. -Entire. lobes. Aspect. Held nearly horizontal. Leafsize. Up to 8 cm in length and 5 cm in width, lobes 35 Surface.—Glabrous and ridged on both surfaces. an average of 2.5 cm in length and 2 mm in width. Color:—Upper surface opening and fully open; 7A, Leafshape.—Fan shaped overall, lobes narrowly linear lower surface opening and fully open; 6A. (thread-like). Disk flowers (male and female): Leaf base.—Attenuate. Number. Numerous, about 80. Leaf apex. Acute. 40 Shape. Tubular, corolla is fused, flared at apex. Leaf venation.-Pinnate, not prominent, matches leaf Size.—About 4 mm in length and 1 mm in width. color on both surfaces. Color-In masse: base; 12A, with stigmas 200B, Leaf attachment. Sessile. corolla; 11C and apex 23 A. Leaf arrangement.—Opposite. Receptacle.—About 2 mm in diameter and 2 mm in Leaf internode length. —Average of 4.5 cm. 45 depth, 137B in color. Leaf quantity.—An average of 12 per stem. Reproductive organs: Leaf surface. Glabrous. Presence. Disk flowers are perfect, ray flowers are Leaf color:—New growth upper and lower surface; sterile. 144A, mature leaves upper and lower surface; 137A. Gynoecium.-1 Pistil, 6 mm in length, style is very fine Leaf fragrance.—Faint and slightly mint-like when 50 and about 14B in color and translucent, bifid pilose crushed. Stigma is 17A in color with branches about 1 mm in Flower description: length and recurved, ovary is 1 mm in length, 1 mm in Inflorescence type.—Composite with ray florets sur width, inferior, and 200B in color. rounding disk florets in the center forming a radiant Androcoecium.–5 stamens, fused into tube surrounding head, borne at upper nodes and terminus. 55 style, 2 mm in length and 0.5 mm in width, about Lastingness of inflorescence.—About one week until 200A in color, no pollen was observed. Senescence of ray flowers, bracts and disk flowers are Fruit/seed-Seed pods; oblong in shape, slightly persistent. curved with narrow wings, about 8.5 mm in length Fragrance. None detected. and 3 mm in width, a blend of 199A and 200A in Quantity of inflorescences.—An average of 8 per stem 60 color, seeds; 20 to 30 per pod, about 4.5 mm in length open at one time but continuously produced from and 1.5 mm in width, 200A in color. May through September. It is claimed: Inflorescence size.—An average of 1 cm in depth and up 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Coreopsis plant named to 5 cm in width with disk portion an average of 7 mm Electric Avenue as herein illustrated and described. in diameter. 65 U.S. Patent Jul. 22, 2014 Sheet 1 of 2 US PP24,688 P2

8. U.S. Patent Jul. 22, 2014 Sheet 2 of 2 US PP24,688 P2