A new and distinct cultivar of winter hardy hibiscus plant named &#8216;Old Yella&#8217; is the result of a unique hybridization. This new and distinct cultivar is characterized primarily as to novelty by its extreme cold hardiness to Zone 4, its large, thick-textured, pale yellow flowers and its green-leaved plants with bright yellow buds before onset of flowering, its vigorous and uniform growth habit, and its floriferous nature from midsummer until frost.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The new plant of this invention is the result of a unique hybridization, with the breeding achievement being evidenced in the outstanding combination of characteristics exhibited by this new and distinct Hibiscus plant, which include:

(a) Refined ovate, green leaves which have relatively smooth margins and yellow buds all over the plant which compliments the landscape;

(b) Large flowers that are outstanding for their pale yellow, thick-textured petals with dark burgandy centers and medium to heavy ruffling;

(c) The plant being very floriferous with flowers that stay open at least one full day;

(d) The plant being medium-sized, but vigorous with compact and uniform breaking action which gives it unique landscape utility; and

(e) The plant being so hardy that it can consistently withstand winter temperatures at least 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Old Yella was the result of a 40-year breeding program. Its ancestry includes Hibiscus moscheutos . More specifically, the plant resulted from multiple crossings with Bright Eye , a Fleming variety (non-patented which is a Hibiscus moscheutos . The seedling which most nearly met all of the above named standards was selected.

This new plant first bloomed in the summer if 1986 and was selected by David Fleming and Gretchen Zwetzig on David Fleming's property in Lincoln, Nebr. Asexual propagation of the plant by cuttings and root division has shown that the unique and distinguishing features of the plant are faithfully transmitted from generation to generation and appear to be fixed.

Since its origin, the plant has bloomed from midsummer until frost, while exhibiting the aforementioned distinctive characteristics. This hardy Hibiscus plant greatly contributes to the market with its sheer beauty and utter refinement, its compact growth habit, its enhanced resistance to disease and insects, its stability through extremes in rain and drought, and its extreme hardiness.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

What follows is a detailed description of the new cultivar. The specific color descriptions are in accordance with the Dictionary of Color (Maerz and Paul), while general color recitations are consistent with ordinary American color terminology.

Old Yella has not been observed under all possible environment conditions. It is to be understood that the phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, and day length, without, however any difference in genotype of the plant. The following botanical characteristics and observations are gathered from the plant when grown in Lincoln, Nebr. (USDA Zone 4).

THE PLANT

Origin: A selected seedling from a stated cross.

Classification: Variety of Hibiscus plant.

Propagation: Relatively easy to propagate; holds its distinguishing characteristics through successive cuttings and divison.

Form: Symmetrical annual growth from perennial roots.

Hardiness: Hardy to at least 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Propagation: Relatively easy and fast rooting in approximately 2 weeks.

3 . Size. Mature leaf (petiole base to apex): Length is about 6 inches or 16 cm, width is about 5 inches or 13 cm.

Stems: The stems are stout at the base, becoming more slender toward the apices; coloration is consistent with the petiole.

THE FLOWER

Blooming period: Profuse from July until frost.

Borne: Singly in leaf axils, from midpoint of stems upward.

Bloom duration: Individual bloom lasts at least one full day.

Form: Campanulate; petals are also very overlapping.

1 . Petal character and dimensions. Campanulate and very overlapping. Length is about 5 inches or 12.5 cm. Width is about 4 inches or 11.5 cm.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

This plant, as a hybridized hardy Hibiscus, is valuable to the landscape market for its improvements in thicker-textured and uniquely colored flowers and buds, refined green foliage on a more compact plant, its all-around vigor, good braking action, and adaptation to extreme environments, including the ability to consistently survive winter temperatures of at least 30 degrees Fahrenheit.