USOOPP17332P2

(12) United States Plant Patent (10) Patent No.: US PP17,332 P2 M00re (45) Date of Patent: Jan. 2, 2007

(54) BUDDLEJA PLANT NAMED MORNING (52) U.S. Cl...... Pt/242 MIST (58) Field of Classification Search ...... Plt./242, (50) Latin Name: Buddleja crispaxloricata Pt/226 Varietal Denomination: MORNING MIST See application file for complete search history. (76) Inventor: Peter Moore, 1 Valley View, Longstock, Stockbridg, Hants, SO20 Primary Examiner Kent Bell 6EF (GB) Assistant Examiner—Louanne Krawczewicz, Myers (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this (57) ABSTRACT patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 44 days. A new cultivar of Buddleja named MORNING MIST that is characterized by hardiness, compact habit, intensely silver (21) Appl. No.: 11/123,554 leaves, and white flowers. In combination these traits set 9 MORNING MIST apart from all other existing varieties of (22) Filed: May 5, 2005 Buddleja known to the inventor. (51) Int. Cl. AOIH 5/00 (2006.01) 2 Drawing Sheets

1. 2 Genus: Buddleja. Species: Crispaxloricata. planted the resulting seedlings into an open ground bed in Denomination: MORNING MIST. the fall of 1995 in order to be able to evaluate them over the ensuing years for certain desirable characteristics. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION By 1997, the inventor selected a single plant from the The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar 5 seedling bed for its unique characteristics and combination of butterfly bush that is grown for use as an ornamental of intensely silvered foliage and compact, well-branched shrub for the landscape. The new cultivar is known botani growth habit. This single plant is the subject of the present cally as Buddleja crispaxloricata and will be referred to invention, MORNING MIST. hereinafter by the cultivar name MORNING MIST. 10 MORNING MIST is an individual whole plant hybrid MORNING MIST resulted from a formal breeding that resulted from the cross-pollination of the female parent, program established by the inventor at his nursery in a plant of the species Buddleja crispa (unnamed, Stockbridge, United Kingdom. The inventor's nursery holds unpatented) and the male parent, a plant of the species one of the United Kingdom National Collections of the genus Buddleja which have been approved by The National Buddleja loricata (unnamed, unpatented). Council for the Preservation of Plants and Gardens 15 The distinguishing traits of MORNING MIST are ever (N.C.C.P.G.). The inventor's nursery maintains a reference green foliage, hardiness, white flowers, compact habit, and collection of over one hundred cultivars and species of the leaves that are intensely silver in color. The cultural require genus Buddleja. ments for MORNING MIST are well-drained soil, full Sun, The purpose of the breeding program was to produce a and moderate water. MORNING MIST exhibits no pest or hardy silver-leaved Buddleja. The inventor proceeded as disease problems known to the inventor. follows: The closest comparison plants known to the inventor are In 1994, the inventor selected from the National Collec the parents Buddleia crispa and Buddleja loricata. Whereas tion an unnamed plant of the species Buddleja Crispa MORNING MIST and Buddleja crispa each have silvered (unpatented) as prospective female parent for deliberate foliage, the color of the flowers of Buddleja crispa varies cross-pollination with an unnamed plant of the species 25 between pink, lilac and purple. The flowers are carried in Buddleja loricata (unpatented) as male parent. long sparse panicles. Buddleja loricata exhibits medium to Buddleja crispa is a silver-gray foliaged drought-tolerant dark green foliage and flowers which are Sweetly scented shrub which is native to the lower slopes of the southern and colored creamy white or yellow, with orange centers. Himalayas. Buddleja loricata, also known as mountain Thus, MORNING MIST is distinguishable from the com sagewood, is native to the higher altitudes, typically above 30 parison plants by its white flowers and intensely silver 1800 meters, of the eastern cape of South Africa and colored foliage. KwaZulu-Natal. The first asexual propagation of MORNING MIST was To conduct the hybridization the inventor first removed conducted by the inventor in 1998 in Stockbridge, United the anthers on the female parent. Then carefully obtaining Kingdom. The method of propagation used was Softwood pollen from the male parent, the inventor placed the pollen 35 on the style of the female parent flowers. The inventor cuttings. Since that time, under careful observation, the protected the flowers by covering them with pollinating bags distinguishing characteristics have been determined stable, to prevent cross-pollination from plants other than the uniform and true to type in Successive generations. specified parents. The seed that resulted from this hybrid The inventor has filed an application for a grant of ization was collected by the inventor in the fall of 1994 and 40 European Community Plant Breeders Rights, serial number sown by the inventor in the spring of 1995. The inventor 2003/0022, filed Oct. 6, 2003. US PP17,332 P2 3 4 The first public sale or distribution of plants of MORN Botanical classification: Buddleja crispaxloricata MORN ING MIST took place by the inventor at the inventor's ING MIST. nursery in July 2004. Genus: Buddleja. Species: crispaxloricata. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Denomination: MORNING MIST. Commercial classification: Shrub. The following represent the distinguishing characteristics Common name: Butterfly bush. of the new Buddleia crispaxloricata cultivar MORNING MIST. In combination these traits set MORNING MIST Type: Ornamental. apart from all other existing varieties of Buddleja known to Uses: Patio container plant, herbaceous border or shrub the inventor. MORNING MIST has not been tested under border plant for the landscape. Stems and foliage can be all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be used in cut flower arrangements. observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and Container size: Suggested size is 1-liter commercial con cultural conditions, however, without any variance in geno tainer. type. Cultural requirements: Well-drained soil, full sun, and mod erate Water. 1. MORNING MIST is evergreen. Parentage: MORNING MIST is a hybrid that resulted from 2. MORNING MIST exhibits white flowers. the cross-pollination of the following parent plants: 3. MORNING MIST is asexually propagated using Seed parent.—An unnamed plant of the species Softwood cuttings. Buddleja crispa. Pollen parent. —An unnamed plant of the species 4. MORNING MIST exhibits compact habit. Buddleja loricata. 5. MORNING MIST exhibits foliage that is intensely Plant description: silver in color. Blooming seasons.—Spring and Summer. 6. MORNING MIST is 1.5 to 2 meters in height and 1.5 Vigor:-Low vigor. to 2 meters in width at maturity. Plant habit. Compact habit. 7. The cultural requirements of MORNING MIST are Height in maturity.—1.5 to 2 meters in height at matu well-drained soil, full Sun, and moderate water. rity. 8. MORNING MIST is an ornamental shrub Suitable for Width at maturity.—1.5 to 2 meters in width at maturity. use as a container plant, herbaceous border or shrub Hardiness.—Hardy to minus 10° Centigrade. border plant for the landscape. Propagation: Propagation is accomplished using the method 9. The woolly stems and foliage of MORNING MIST of softwood cuttings. can be used in cut flower arrangements. Root system.—Fibrous. Time to initiate rooting.—3–4 weeks are needed to 10. MORNING MIST is hardy to minus 10° Centigrade. produce roots on the initial cuttings. Temperature to initiate rooting. The ideal air tempera BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ture for rooting undergreenhouse conditions is 20° Centigrade. The accompanying color drawings FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 Crop time.—9-12 months are needed to produce a illustrate the overall appearance of the new Buddleja cultivar commercial 1-liter container plant from an initial MORNING MIST, showing the colors as true as it is cutting. reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of Seasonal interest.—White flowers in spring and Sum this type. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color C. values cited in the detailed botanical description, which Disease and pest susceptibility or resistance.—No Sus accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety ceptibility or resistance to any particular disease or MORNING MIST FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate and are pest has been observed by the inventor. taken from plants which are in their second year of growth Special growing requirements.-Hard pruning in early from a single cutting. The plants have been grown out-of spring of each year encourages and maintains a doors in Hampshire, England. compact and attractive plant form with more profuse The drawing labeled FIG. 1 illustrates a single plant of flowering later in the season. MORNING MIST just coming into bud. Stem: The drawing labeled FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of Stem diameter:-0.50 cm. in diameter. the inflorescence of MORNING MIST. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 Stem length.-Stems are an average of 45 cm. in length were made using conventional techniques and although on an individual plant. foliage colors may appear different from actual colors due to Stem shape. The cross-section of stems is flattened light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by con oval in shape. ventional photography. Stem surface.—Flocculent. Pubescence.—Present. BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT Pubescence color:—196D. Stem color:—Individual colors 166A and 196D are The following is a detailed description of the Buddleja present on an individual stem. cultivar named MORNING MIST. Data was collected in Internodes.—2.75 cm. between nodes. Arroyo Grande, Calif. from 9-month-old plants that were Foliage: grown out-of-doors. Color determinations are in accordance Tipe.—Evergreen. with 2001 edition of Colour Chart of The Royal Horticul Leaf arrangement.—Combination of opposite and tural Society, London, England, except where general color whorled. terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Leaf division.—Simple. US PP17,332 P2 5 6 Leafshape. —Lanceolate. Pedicel dimensions.—5 mm. in length and 2 mm. in Leaf base.—Attenuate. diameter. Leaf apex. —Acute. Pedicel Color:–196D. Leaf venation.—Anastomose. Pedicel shape.-Flattened oval in cross-section. Vein color (abaxial surfaces). 196D. Pedicel surface.—Flocculent. Vein color (adaxial surfaces). 148B. Flowers persistent or self-cleaning.—Flowers are per Leaf surfaces (adaxial surfaces). Pubescent and sistent. slightly rugose. Lastingness of the overall inflorescence.—3 to 4 weeks. Leaf surfaces (abaxial surfaces). Flocculent. Lastingness of an individual flower:- 7 to 9 days. Leaf margins.—Crenate and crisped. Dimensions of inflorescence.—8.5 cm. in height and Leaf attachment.-Petiolate. 6.75 cm. in diameter. Petiole dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 3 mm. in Dimensions of panicle.—25 mm. in length and 25 mm. width. in diameter. Petiole shape.—Sulcate. Dimensions of flower:- 7 mm. in depth and 5 mm. in Petiole color:–189D. diameter. Petiole surface. Flocculent. Ouantity of flowers.-Quantity ranges from 50–60 indi Leaf color (adaxial surfaces). There are both indi vidual flowers to an individual inflorescence. vidual leaves that are 148B, and individual leaves Bud Color:–155B. that are 194B on an individual plant. Budapex.-Rounded. Leaf color (abaxial surfaces).-196D. Bud surface.—Flocculent. Leaf texture (abaxial surfaces). Woolly texture. Bud Shape.—Globose. Leaf texture (adaxial surfaces). Felted texture. Bud dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 2.75 mm. in Leaf length. Leaves range from 4 to 8 cm. in length on width. an individual plant. Calyx dimensions.—3 mm. in width and 4 mm. in Leafwidth.-Leaves range from 1 to 2.5 cm. in width length. on an individual plant. Calyx shape. Tubular. Average number of leaves per stem.—An average of 44 Sepals.-Four in number. leaves per individual stem. Sepal shape. —Lanceolate. Foliar fragrance.—Slight sage-like scent. Sepal dimensions.—4 mm. in length and 1.75 mm. in Flower: width. Inflorescence.—Terminal panicle. Sepal apex.—Acute. Petals.—Four in number. Sepal margin. —Entire. Fused or unfised.—Basally fused. Sepal surface.—Flocculent. Petal margin.—Entire. Sepal color (both upper and lower surfaces).-196D. Petal apex.-Rounded. Flower fragrance.—Slight sage-like scent. Petal base.- Truncate. Reproductive organs: Petal surfaces (adaxial surfaces). Pubescent. Stamens.—Four in number adnate to inside Surface of Petal surfaces (abaxial surfaces). Flocculent. corolla tube. Color of pubescence (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).- Stamen dimensions.—3 mm. in length and less than 1 158D. mm. in diameter. Petal shape.—Rotund. Stamen color:—163A. Petal dimensions.—3 mm. in width and 3 mm. in Anther dimensions.—1 mm. in length and 0.50 mm. in length. diameter. Petal color (adaxial surfaces). 158D. Anther shape.—Oblong. Petal color (abaxial surfaces). 158D. Anther color:—163D. Aspect.—Facing upward. Pollen.—None observed. Flower shape.—Salverform. Pistil.—One in number. Flower color (adaxial surface). 158D. Pistill shape. Filament. Flower color (abaxial surface). 158D. Pistill dimensions.—4 mm. in length and 0.75 mm. in Flower changes as bloom period ends (abaxial and diameter. abaxial surfaces). Color changes to 165B. Pistill color:—144D. Corolla tube color (inside surface).—167A. Stigma color:—144A. Corolla tube color (outer surface).—158D. Style color:—144D. Corolla tube surfaces (inner and outer surfaces).- Ovary. Present. Pubescent. Ovary position.—Superior. Color of pubescence (inner and Outer surfaces).- Ovary shape.—Oval. 158D. Ovary dimensions.—1.50 mm. in height and 1 mm. in Corolla tube length.-3 mm. in length. diameter. Corolla tube shape. Tubular in shape. Ovary surface.—Flocculent. Corolla tube diameter:- 2 mm. in diameter. Seed: No seed has been observed. Color of peduncle.—196D. It is claimed: Peduncle surface. Flocculent. 1. A new and distinct variety of Buddleja plant named Peduncle length.—1.50 cm. in length. MORNING MIST as described and illustrated. Peduncle diameter:- 2 mm. in diameter. Peduncle shape.-Flattened oval in cross-section. k . . . . U.S. Patent Jan. 2, 2007 Sheet 1 of 2 US PP17,332 P2

U.S. Patent Jan. 2, 2007 Sheet 2 of 2 US PP17,332 P2

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