IlllllllllllllIllllllllllllwlllj?llljlllllllllllllllllllllllIllllllll United States Patent [19] [11] Patent Number: 9,852 Bost [45] Date of Patent: Apr. 8, 1997 [54] PLANT NAMED ‘BOST HYBRID Primary Examiner—lames R. Feyrer NO. 2’ Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Martin L. McGregor [76] Inventor: Georgia A. Boat, 1209 Pine Chase, Houston, Tex. 77055 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 539,026 An herbaceous perennial Hibiscus plant having numerous [22] Filed: Jun. 16, 1995 large polypetalous ?owers with blushing White , over

[51] Int. Cl.6 ...... A01H 5/00 lapping arrangement, a dark red eye, essentially white [52] U.S. Cl. Plt./67.8 buds, and medium-sized well-branched, upright with [58] Field of Search ...... Flt/67.8 one or three-lobed of light to medium green color. [56] References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2 Drawing Sheets P.P. 9,555 5/1996 Morrison ...... Flt/67.8

1 2 There are currently only six patented varieties of this type HISTORICAL NOTE of hibiscus: ‘mallow’ (Hemmings, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 835), ‘Lady Baltimore’ (Darby, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,271), ‘Anne As of August 1996, there are a total of 20 plant patents Arundel’ (Darby, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,209), ‘Sweet Caro granted for the species Hibiscus in the United States of 5 line’ (Winters, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,608), ‘Quatro Rojo’ America. The earliest patented hibiscus plant (U.S. Plant (Bost Hybrid No. 1, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,311), and ‘Pink Pat. No. 835), identi?ed in the records simply as ‘Mallow’, Wonder’ (Morrison, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,555). The ?rst four was selected from a population having within its genetic of these plants were developed from East Coast USA background Hibiscus laevis (formerly militaris), H. coc populations of Hibiscus species (or subspecies) H. moscheu cineus, and H. moscheutos. This early improved plant was tos, H. moscheutos ssp. palusm's, and/0r H. laevis, in various characterized by having smooth, deeply cut leaves, as attain combinations with the Florida species, H. coccineus. The ing shrub height of medium size, of having medium sized sixth was developed from H. moscheutas, H. m. palustris (6-8 inch) ?owers with deep red, imbricated ?ower petals and H. laevis. ‘Quatro Rojo’ was developed from progeny of and by being adapted for culture in the temperate zone. crosses made with a population of H. laevis native to Texas, in various combinations with H. coccineus and H. moscheu Within the remainder of the existing patents, 10 are H. 15 “rosa-sinensis” types developed by Frank Moser; three tosX‘Southem Belle’; the latter was developed from U.S. more are also H. rosa-sinensis varieties, developed by native hibiscus by Japanese breeders many years ago and Roberta Ludick; and one is a variegated sport of H. paeoni marketed in the USA, originally through seed catalogs. ?orus, selected by Harold Hillis. All plants in this group of ‘Southern Belle’ is dominated by H. moscheutos character patents are developed from tropical, mostly pan-Paci?c istics. species that do not survive unprotected north of USDA Zone The general growth habit of Section Meunchhusia hibisci 10. is characterized by long, straight, light-weight canes which The novel plant invention described herein is developed arise annually from a perennial crown. Once established, from the suite of perennial hibiscus species belonging to crowns generally bud two to three—n1ore rarely, four-—new Hibiscus Section meunchhusia (0.]. Blanchard, 1976; PA. 25 shoots from the base of each of the preceeding season’s Fryxell, 1988) that are native to the continental United canes. Side branching occurs in the upper half to one-third States. There are four recognized species in this Section (H. of the cane (depending on species dominance), given su?i coccineus, H. dasycalyx, H. laevix, and H. moscheutos) one cient length of growing season, but generally is not initiated of which has several recognized subspecies: H. moscheutos until ?rst bud set has occurred. Forking of canes occurs only mascheutos, H. m. palustris, and H. m. grandzflorus. The 30 if the green cane is cut or broken o?“. other species of hibiscus native to the conterrninous U.S. and Crowns frequently go through cycles of cane production Hawaii are not genetically compatible with these four spe that are a function of the age of the crown and the amount cies. of crowding in the center of the crown. Typically, new canes All species of hibiscus in Section Meunchhusia are wet are more abundant on the outside of the crown, until enough land plants and, although tolerant of even severe drought 35 space has developed in the center to once again allow central (via semi-dormancy), perform best under adequate moisture cane growth. Plants can be propagated e?wectively either conditions. They tolerate—rather than require-saturated from crown division or from cuttings; for either method, soil and/or standing water conditions and compete best in rooting hormone is optional. the wild on the borders of water bodies where periodic ?res Cane production is typically much more vigorous (in both reduce compeition from woody species. Consquently, they 40 size and number) in hybrids than in the native specimens, all make excellent low-maintenance border plantings around other factors being equal. In general, a new seedling will water features and grow well in all climates where adequate produce only one cane, due to the time it takes for the plant rainfall and/or irrigation is available. As a general rule, the to mature enough to begin ?ower budding. Second year farther north the planting, the less water is required and the crowns generally break dormancy with 2—3 canes, but may shorter the plant will be at maturity. produce more given a su?iciently long growing season. Plant 9,852 3 4 Third year crowns typically produce 6-9 canes, and so on. extended over a period of some 9 years. ‘Bost Hybrid No.2’ Number and vigor of canes is also dependent on spacing of originated as a seedling selected from progeny of cross the individual specimens and the size of the container in pollination between (1) a breeding line derived from cross which it is grown, as well as length of growing season where ing the commercially available H. moscheutos var. ‘South grown, and the genetic background of the parental stock ern Belle’ and H. laevis BOST><® selection ‘Houston from which the cultivar was developed. Plants become White’; (2) a breeding line derived from crossing H. laevis severly stunted when container size is too small for the BOST ><® selection ‘Houston—White’ and H. coccineus; and, crown size. A well developed crown will frequently out (3) a breeding line derived from crossing H. coccineus and weigh its canes. H. moscheutos var. ‘Southern Belle’. Spacing of leaves, internodal length and leave shape are Unfortunately, the original tag documenting the pod and a function of species genome, as is bloom onset and distri pollen parents of the seedling was unreadable a the time the bution, abscission point, and presence or absence of foliage plant was evaluated and selected. ‘Bost Hybrid No.2’ clearly on bloom pedicels. however, these characters in hybrids shows characteristics of at least two of the three original show a wide range of intermediate characters and may or parent (P1) genomes used to establish this breeding pro may not be distictive for a given hybrid type. 15 gram. Overall plant presentation ranges from H. moscheutos on The objective of the breeding program which produced one extreme, with an essentially spherical presentation (con the novel plant of this invention was primarily to develop a sisting of relatively short canes and widely-spaced but large, plant that was suitable for inclusion in a horticultural group cordate leaves), to H. coccineous on the other extreme, with to be marketed as a series of BOST><® horticultural hybrids an essentially vase-shaped or V-shaped presentation of commemorating the ?rst ladies of United States presidents 5-lobed, highly-dissected, cannabis-like leaves. H. laevis and having the following characteristics: and H. dasycalyx have the shortest internode size with leaves that are predominantly 3-lobed and hastate, with an essen (a) a medium size plant suitable for cultivation, with good tially vase-shaped habit. H. moscheutos ?ower buds tend to form and reliably upright havit, and abundant ?owers. produce a panicle-like effect due to the extreme fore-short 25 (b) Decorative foliage of a pleasing shade of green and ening of ?owering intemodes and the relatively short period productive, well-placed ?owers and pods suitable for both of ?owering for this species (1—2 months, even in Zone 9). horticultural and agricultural applications; The other three species have well-spaced ?owers that follow (0) Attractive, well-formed, medium-sized white ?owers the same rotation as the leave nodes and bloom for 2—7 that are distinctively blushed with pink, that are well months, depending on soil temperatures and frost dates for 30 posed on the plant, and that remain open for most of the the region in which they are grown, and genetic dormancy day (two days in cooler weather). for the region of origin. On the average, a given ?ower for any of these genomes SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION will last only one day; however, cool nights followed by cool mild day(s) commonly delay ?ower drop for an additional 35 The present invention comprises a new and distinct cul day or two, especially if fertilization has not occurred. The tivar of herbaceous perennial Hibiscus hybrid hereinafter farther north the plants are grown, the more likely the referred to by the cultivar name ‘Bost Hybrid No. 2’. It was ?owers are to last more than one day. Thus, the ability of a a seedling selected by Georgia A. Bost in July 1992 from a given ?ower to last more than one day is not a particularly seedling population grown at her nursery, The Village destinctive character within this group. Similarly, the more Botanica, Inc., at 7500 Westview Drive, Houston, Tex. She northern USDA Zones will have shorter and more concise is the owner of the mother plant and clones and controls all bloom periods and may frequently experience frost before propagations of it. The new plant produced its ?rst ?ower in “natural” dormancy begins. The regional affect on the the summer of 1992 and, because of the size and shape of the genetic component of dormancy appears to apply primarily plant and the subtile coloring of the ?ower, its attractive to the breaking of dormancy in Spring, not to winter onset. 45 foliage and controlled habit, it was selected for reproduction In Zone 9, dormancy almost always occurs before frost, and testing. Asexual propagation of this new plant by although some plants have still been observed to bloom as cuttings was carried on at The Village Botanica, 7500 late as the end of January, during especially mild winters. Westview Drive, Houston, Tex and at JJL Greenhouses, Inc., Donnancy appears to be triggered by soil temperature, but 1449 Brittrnoore, Houston, Tex in 1994 under exclusive also shows a strong genetic component related to the cli~ contract to The Village Botanica, Inc. Observation of the matic region of the source genome. Dorrnancy or semi asexual progeny of the original plant has demonstrated that dorrnancy can also be triggered by severe drought. A normal this new and distinct variety has ful?lled the objectives and winter-triggred dormant period seems to be bene?cial for that its distinctive characteristics are ?rmly ?xed and hold this group of hibiscus, as specimens grown in tropical true from generation to generation vegetatively propagated climates or in heated greenhouses year-round loose vigor, 55 from the original clone. are less resistant to disease and pests, and eventually die The new and distinct cultivar is of value for its ?oral prematurely (?ve years or less). display, produced from late May until late November (or The average life span of the perennial crowns of these frost), depending upon USDA zone in which it is cultured, environmental conditions and culture methods; and for the species and their hybrids has not, to our knowledge, been 60 documented. Anecdotal evidence suggests crown life-spans landscape value of the entire plant; and as a source of plant of more than 25 years and, barring catastrophic events or materials for commercial and agricultural products. disease, could be more than 100 years. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT 65 This new cultivar of perennial Hibiscus is illustrated by The breeding program which produced the novel plant the accompanying full color photographic drawing which invention described herein and named ‘Bost Hybrid No.2’ shows: FIG. 1—a fully opened ?ower and some typical Plant 9,852 5 6 leaves and buds, the colors being as true as can reasonably Diameter.—6 to 8 inches. The bloom is recurved and be done by conventional photographic procedures. The bell-shaped so the diameter is less than the sum of drawing depicts the blossom in mid-afternoon, when the the length of two petals. ?ower is more deeply blushed. FIG. 2 shows the same plant Shape.—Deeply ?aredbell full petals overlapping and ?ower under different lighting conditions and earlier in basally and distally. the day. Involucral bracts.—Number —- ll, sometimes 10. Color—medium green (R.H.S.-144A! 146A). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW Calyces: PLANT Number of .—Five, ?nely pubescent. The following is a detailed description of the new variety, Shape.—Moderately dissected at about 5/8 inches from color terminology being in accordance with The Royal apex, mosque-shaped with apical point at about Horticultural Society Colour Chart (indicated by initials 1.5 inches from base. R.H.S.-number) for the closest match or with ordinary Color—Pale green (R.H.S.-l44A/l46A). dictionary signi?cance. 15 Filaments: C0l0n~White. THE PLANT : Numerous. Type: Root-hardy, herbaceous perennial. Anthers: Classi?cation: Hybrid variety of Hibiscus, Section Meunch Color—Dark red brown (~R.H.S.-l6OA). husia (Pryxell, 1988). Stigma: Origin: Seedling. C0l0r.—Pads pale yellow (~R.H.S.-16OA). Pedicels Parentage: Is known to be a selection from BOST><® breed and peduncle-(R.H.S.-l55A). ing population from cross pollination between (1) a Numben—Five, rounded, discoid, hairy. breeding line derived from crossing the commercially Starninal column: available H. moscheutos var. ‘Southern Belle’ with H. 25 C0l0r.~Creamy white without streaks (R.H.S.~155A). laevis BOST><® selection ‘Houston-White’; (2) a breed Length.—2.5 inches. Antheriferous for the lower two‘ ing line derived from crossing H. laevis selection ‘Hous— thirds of style. Base of pistil or very center of throat ton-White’ with; and (3) a breeding line derived from white(R.H.S.-l55C), streaked with dark pink about crossing H. coccineus with H. moscheutos var. ‘Southern one-fourth of the way up. Belle’. 30 Pollen: Propagation: Holds its distinguishing characteristics through Color—Pale yellow. succeeding propagations by cuttings and divisions. Petalage: Form: Bushy annual growth from perennial root and root Shape.—Full, obovate, asymmetrical, apical point right or left of center, depending upon rotation of the crowns, Mature habit: Upright and much branched. 35 individual ?ower. Growth: Vigorous. Size.—~About 4.5 to 5 inches (base of style to tip of F0liage.—Arrangement —— Alternate. In general, not petal) by 4 inches across, depending. Exact size distinctive and fairly typical within the genera used depends upon preceding night temperature and cul to derive the plant. Colors are closest to the R.H.S. ture. codes listed below for the respective tissues. Aspect.—Central one-third satiny, outer two-thirds F0rm.—1 and/or 3-lobed, hastate, palmately veined. translucent Size.—average is 3-9 inches along primary vein, Texture.—Moderately thick, about the weight of broad cloth. approx. 5 inches wide across lateral veins. Central lobe always larger than any laterals. Laterals, when C0l0r.-Center eye zone: red (R.H.S.-53C), brighten present, always with two primary veins. ranges 45 ing to fuschia on the fringes of the eye (R.H.S.-58A). in size to as small as 4.5 by 0.75 inches and as large Inner petal: white (R.H.S.-155C). The whitest por as 9 by 4 inches. tion of the petal does not extend all the way across Margins.—dentate. the individual petal and is overlapped by the pinkest part of its neighboring petal. If the petal rotation is 50 overlapping to the left, the white portion of the inner Veins—r0p.—spring-green, about the same as matrix. petal will be on the right side of the petal, and vice versa. The white area does not have an abrubt border, Peti0le.~Length 1.5 to 4.5 inches. Color—light green but rather blends into the eye and petal colors and (R.H.S.-44B), blushes to orange (R.H.S.-164A) in becomes less distinct as the overall ?ower color full sun. 55 deepens towards the end of the day. Middle petal: Stipules.—linear, deciduous. blush (R.H.S.-69A/65C). Outer petal: pink (R.H.S. Stern: Cane-like, pale green when young; blushing to light 65D/l55C). Outer petal blushes darker as the day orange or red in full sun and in the Fall Basal cane progresses. Back of petal: white (R.H.S.-155C). The diameter is approximately 2 inches for mature plants. overall effect is of a large, blushing classic hibiscus Height: Three to seven feet (depending upon length of 60 shape, nicely belled with a hint of ru?le. The degree growing season). of blushing is similar to that shown in H. mutabilis (Confederate Rose Hibiscus). THE : Numerous, elegant; individual ?owers last one day, two days in cooler weather. Blooming habit: Continuous and free blooming, late Pedicle: Three to ?ve inches; medium thickness; stiff. May-November (or until frost). Peduncle articulated at or near 0.5—O.75 inches from the Corolla: base of the pod. Plant 9,852 7 8 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CULTURE Rooting: Excellent. Hormone optional, especially under Blooming period: Late May to November (or frost) on the mist. Texas Gulf Coast (Zone 9), July or early August to frost Growth regulator: Not required. Optional for holding in pots in cooler zones. From the onset of the blooming period the for commercial nurseries. plant is seldom without ?owers. 5 Shipping tolerance: Excellent, especially as liners or at any Hardiness: Root hardy to at least Zone 5 (further North if Size when dormant Best Shipped iiiisiacked on individual well mulched). Dorrnancy is apparently triggered by soil sheives if not dormant temperatures rather than by photoperiod. Research at 1 Claim Michigan State indicates that hibisci in this group are 10 1. Anew and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant, as shown day-neutral bloomers. and described. Breaking action: Very tough. Immature stems bend and regrow. * * * * * US. Patent Apr. s, 1997 Sheet 1 of2 Plant 9,852 US. Patent Apr. 8, 1997 Sheet20f2 Plant 9,852

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