USPP37004P2 - Paeonia plant named ‘Smithopus6’ - Google Patents

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of intersectional hybrid (Itoh) Paeonia plant named ‘Smithopus6’ is disclosed, having large pink and cream colored flowers of semi-double to fully double form carried on strong stems, which present the flowers above and beyond the foliage. Plants have very attractive, dissected foliage, which lasts through the fall and is also highly disease resistant. Plants have a symmetrical, compact plant habit/shape which is excellent in the landscape. The new variety is an intersectional hybrid (Itoh) Paeonia normally produced as an outdoor ornamental garden plant.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species: Paeonia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Smithopus6’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor to produce new Paeonia hybrid cultivars with strong stems, large panicles, compact habits, and attractive flower aging. The crossing resulting in the new cultivar was made in summer of 1998 in a backyard in Windham, NH.

The seed parent is the cultivar Paeonia ‘Martha W’, unpatented. The pollen parent is the cultivar Paeonia ‘Smith's Yellow’, an unpatented tree peony hybrid. The new cultivar was found and selected by the inventor in 2012 in the same backyard in Windham, NH. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Smithopus6’ was first performed at a research laboratory during 2014 in South Africa by tissue culture. Through subsequent confidential propagation, multiple additional generations have been reproduced, having shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

Plants of the new cultivar were first sold Jul. 1, 2024 in the United States. This was from plant material originating from the inventor. Plants were advertised on a website from the Entity “Plants Nouveau”, which has received a license, information and plant material directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Smithopus6’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Smithopus6’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Smithopus6’ as a new and distinct Paeonia cultivar:

• • 1. New cultivar is an intersectional hybrid (Itoh) peony from a cross of an herbaceous peony (lactiflora) with a hybrid tree peony.
  • 2. It is a sterile first-generation hybrid with triploid (3n) ploidy level.
  • 3. New cultivar has large pink and cream colored flowers of semi-double to fully double form carried on strong stems, which present the flowers above and beyond the foliage
  • 4. New cultivar has very attractive, dissected foliage, which lasts through the fall and is also highly disease resistant.
  • 5. New cultivar has a symmetrical, compact plant habit/shape and makes an ideal landscape plant.

PARENT COMPARISONS

Plants of ‘Smithopus6’ are similar to plants of the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘Smithopus6’ differ in the following:

• • 1. Seed parent has fully herbaceous stems and growth habit, whereas the new cultivar has stronger semi-woody to woody stems and many above-ground buds, yet grows primarily as an herbaceous plant.
  • 2. Seed parent has pink flowers of single form with 11-13 petals, whereas the new cultivar has semi-double to double flowers pink and cream colored flowers with many more petals (about 30 to 40)
  • 3. Seed parent blooms 1-2 weeks later than the new cultivar
  • 4. Seed parent has many lateral flowers per stem, whereas the new cultivar has only 1 or 2.
  • 5. Seed parent is highly fertile both ways, whereas the new cultivar is a sterile triploid

Plants of ‘Smithopus6’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘Smithopus6’ differ in the following:

• • 1. The new cultivar has pink and cream bi-colored flowers whereas ‘Smith's Yellow’ has bright yellow flowers that are lightly flushed with pink
  • 2. Pollen parent is a woody tree peony hybrid that has winter hardy, woody stems, whereas the new cultivar has semi-woody stems that are much less winter hardy
  • 3. Pollen parent has more upright, shrub-like plant and growth habit, whereas the new cultivar has mostly herbaceous habit
  • 4. Pollen parent blooms 1-2 weeks before the new cultivar.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of ‘Smithopus6’ can be compared to plants of the commercial cultivar Paeonia intersectional hybrid ‘Smith Family Jewel’, unpatented. Plants of ‘Smithopus6’ are similar to plants of ‘Smith Family Jewel’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘Smithopus6’ differ in the following:

• • 1. ‘Smith Family Jewel’ and the new cultivar both have similar flower color combinations that are everchanging, starting out mostly pink and slowly changing to primarily cream flushed with various degrees of pink. However, in the intermediate stage, the new cultivar has an orangey peach color, whereas ‘Smith Family Jewel’ is primarily pink.
  • 2. The new cultivar also is more floriferous than ‘Smith Family Jewel’, as a result of having more flowers from lateral stems.
  • 3. The new cultivar has larger, darker red basal flares that are much more prominent than those on ‘Smith Family Jewel’.

Plants of ‘Smithopus6’ can be compared to plants of the commercial cultivar Paeonia intersectional hybrid ‘Garden Treasure’, unpatented. Plants of ‘Smithopus6’ are similar to plants of ‘Garden Treasure’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘Smithopus6’ differ in the following:

• • 1. ‘Garden Treasure’ has yellow flower petals with prominent red basal flares, whereas the new cultivar has pink and cream colored flowers and a nearly non-visible red-purple basal blotch.
  • 2. ‘Garden Treasure’ is shorter in height than the new cultivar

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typical aging flowers of ‘Smithopus6’ grown in a field in Fairfield, CT. The plant is approximately 3 years old.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close-up of a mature flower of ‘Smithopus6’.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Smithopus6’ plants grown outdoors in Camarillo, CA. The plants were 2 to 3 years old from large tubers, grown in 5-gallon pots. Temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 10° C. at night to 12° C. to 30° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

• Botanical classification: Paeonia hybrid ‘Smithopus6’.

PROPAGATION

• Typically by shoot tissue culture.
• Root description: Freely branching storage root with numerous feeder roots. Roots various shades of tan and brown, not accurately measured with a color chart.
• Tubers: Elongated, typically 4 to 10 cm long and 2 to 4 cm in diameter. Colored near Greyed-Orange 166C.

PLANT

• Growth habit: Vigorous perennial herbaceous shrub. Semi-upright growth habit.
• Height: Approximately 50 to 55 cm at opening of first flower.
• Plant spread: Approximately 60 cm.
• Stems:
• Length: Approximately 25 to 40 cm.
• Diameter: Average range 6 to 8 mm.
• Strength: Strong.
• Internode length: 5 to 11 cm, highly variable.
• Color: Near RHS Green 137D almost completely covered in Greyed-Purple 185B.
• Texture: Glabrous.
• Age of plant described: Approximately 2 to 3 years.

FOLIAGE

• Leaf: Alternate, pinnate compound, with an overall circular to ovate shape, which is slightly wider than long. Average fully expanded leaf 18 cm long and 25 cm wide, excluding the petiole. Horizontal to semi-erect attitude.
• Primary leaflets:
  • • Shape.—Obovate.
    • Quantity and arrangement.—3 primary leaflets further divided into 3 to 5 deeply divided secondary leaflets. All leaflets sessile.
    • Length.—Average range 12 to 16 cm.
    • Width.—Average range 14 to 18 cm.
• Individual primary leaflet blades:
  • • Shape of blade.—Broad ovate, variably incised.
    • Apex.—Acute.
    • Base.—Attenuate.
    • Margin.—Deeply incised.
    • Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.
    • Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.
    • Appearance of top surface.—Matte.
    • Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.
    • Aspect.—Flat to very slightly reflexed downward.
• Individual secondary leaflet blades:
  • • Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate, variably incised.
    • Apex.—Acute.
    • Base.—Attenuate.
    • Margin.—Deeply incised.
    • Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.
    • Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.
    • Appearance of top surface.—Matte.
    • Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.
    • Aspect.—Flat to very minutely reflexed downward.
    • Color.—Young Upper side: Near RHS Green 143B. Under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Mature: Upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Under side: Near RHS Green 138A.
    • Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.
    • Petiole.—Length: Average range 6 to 9 cm. Diameter: 5 to 6 mm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C flushed Greyed-Purple 185B. Texture: Glabrous.

FLOWER

• Natural flowering season: Flowering begins early May in Southern California. Flowering extends throughout the Summer, depending on environmental conditions.
• Inflorescence type and habit: Semi-double to fully double form with conspicuous stamens. 3 to 4 whorls. Shape regularly round. Erect flower attitude.
• Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 10 days on the plant. Varies considerably with environmental conditions.
• Quantity of flowers: 1 to 2 per stem. 5 to 9 flowering stems per plant.
• Flower size:
  • • Diameter.—Approximately 14 cm.
    • Depth.—Approximately 5 cm. (Flower height).
• Peduncle:
  • • Length.—Approximately 10 cm.
    • Diameter.—Approximately 5 mm.
    • Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Red 182A.
    • Strength.—Strong.
    • Texture.—Glabrous and ribbed.
• Petals:
  • • Petal arrangement.—3 to 4 whorls of about 9 to 10 petals.
    • Size.—Length: Average 7 cm. Width: Average 3.8 cm.
    • Shape.—Obovate.
    • Margin.—Entire. Lightly ruffled.
    • Apex.—Emarginate.
    • Base.—Broad attenuate.
    • Texture.—Smooth, glabrous all surfaces.
    • Aspect.—Strongly recurved up.
• Color: Petals:
  • • When opening.—Opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 20C flushed near veins Red 53A. Basal blotch near 71A. Lower surface: Near RHS Orange 24D flushed near veins Red-Purple 60A. Large basal blotch near Red-Purple 59C. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Red 50D streaked Red 54D, 56A, 56B and 49B. No basal blotch. Lower surface: Near RHS Red 50D streaked Red 54C, 56A, 56B and 49C. No basal blotch. Fading: Upper surface: Near RHS Red 36A streaked Red 54D, 56A, 56B and 49B. No basal blotch. Lower surface: Near RHS Red 36A streaked Red 54C, 56A, 56B and 49C. No basal blotch.
• Petaloids: Not present.
• Bud:
  • • Shape.—Globular.
    • Length.—Approximately 2 cm.
    • Diameter.—Approximately 2 cm.
    • Color.—Near RHS Red 54A.
• Sepals:
  • • Quantity.—2 to 4.
    • Length.—1.5 to 3 cm.
    • Width.—2 cm.
    • Shape.—Narrow deltate to irregular, wavy elliptic.
    • Aspect.—Flat.
    • Attitude.—Horizontal.
    • Apex.—Acute.
    • Base.—Truncate.
    • Margin.—Entire.
    • Color.—Interior Surface: RHS Green 137A. Exterior Surface: RHS Green 137C.
    • Texture.—Glabrous.
• Fragrance: Moderate, tea rose scent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

• Androecium:
• Stamens:
  • • Quantity.—70 to 100.
    • Length.—5 to 7 mm.
    • Color.—Yellow 9D.
• Anthers:
  • • Shape.—Linear.
    • Length.—1 mm.
    • Color.—Yellow 12B.
• Gynoecium:
• Pistil:
  • • Type.—Compound.
    • Number.—5.
    • Carpel length.—1.8 cm.
    • Carpel width.—1 cm.
    • Disc color.—Green 143D.
    • Carpel pubescence.—Medium.
    • Openness of disc.—Partly open.
    • Stigma.—5 mm long and 4 mm in diameter. Very hard. Shape: Irregular circular. Color: Near RHS Red 53A flushed Red-Purple 61A.
    • Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C flushed Red-Purple 64C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Disease and pest resistance: Observed resistance to foliar diseases of Paeonia. Typical foliar diseases of Paeonia include Botrytis paeoniae, Graphiopsis chlorocephala and Phytophthora. sp. No additional resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of Paeonia has been observed.
• Temperature tolerance: Typically USDA Zones 3 to 8.
• Fruit/seed production: Not observed.

Claims (1)

What is claimed is:

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Paeonia plant named ‘Smithopus6’ as herein illustrated and described.

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