Rhododendron plant named ‘Hort200101’

A new cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘Hort200101’ that is characterized by dark shiny green leaves, dark red flowers, an absence of bracts and red branches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofRhododendronplant botanically known asRhododendron simsiiand hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Hort200101’.

The new cultivar is the product of a breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area of Kruishoutem, Belgium. The objective of the breeding program is to develop newRhododendroncultivars that have long lasting flowers and bright green leaves.

‘Hort200101’ is a hybrid that originated from the hybridization of the female or seed parent a proprietary selection ofRhododendron simsiiidentified as ‘97468’ (not patented) and the male or pollen parent a proprietary selection ofRhododendron simsiiidentified as ‘93085’ (not patented). The crossing was conducted in 2001. The cultivar ‘Hort200101’ was selected by the inventor in December of 2002 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a greenhouse environment of Kruishoutem, Belgium.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Hort200101’ by cuttings was first performed in December of 2002 in Kruishoutem, Belgium. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newRhododendroncultivar ‘Hort200101’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘Hort200101’ as a new and distinct cultivar.1.Rhododendron‘Hort200101’ exhibits dark shiny green leaves.2.Rhododendron‘Hort200101’ exhibits dark red flowers.3.Rhododendron‘Hort200101’ exhibits an absence of bracts.4.Rhododendron‘Hort200101’ exhibits red branches.

‘Hort200101’ is different than ‘Vogel Jimmy Kint’ in having darker green leaves, no bracts and red branches. ‘Hort200101’ has dark red flowers. The flowers of ‘Vogel Jimmy Kint’ are lighter red.

‘Hort200101’ is different than ‘Otto’ in having darker green leaves, no bracts and red branches. ‘Hort200101’ has dark red flowers. The flowers of ‘Otto’ are lighter red.

In comparison to the female or seed parent ‘97468’, ‘Hort200101’ differs in having larger flowers and less frost resistance. In comparison to the male or pollen parent ‘93085’, ‘Hort200101’ differs in having a more compact habit.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the newRhododendroncultivar named ‘Hort200101’. Data was collected in Kruishoutem, Belgium from 24 month old greenhouse grown plants in 1.0 liter containers. The time of year was Spring and the average temperature was 22° Centigrade during the day and 18° Centigrade at night. The light level was 5000 Klux and there were no photoperiodic treatments. Color determinations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species. ‘Hort200101’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.Botanical classification:Rhododendron simsii‘Hort200101’.Use: Ornamental Perennial Shrub.Parentage: ‘Hort200101’ is a hybrid of the female or seed parent a proprietary selection ofRhododendron simsiiidentified as ‘97468’ and the male or pollen parent a proprietary selection ofRhododendron simsiiidentified as ‘93085’.Vigor: Moderately strongGrowth rate: Approximately 8 cm. in height and 15 cm. in width per year.Growth habit: Broad upright, densely branched.Plant shape: Flattened globose.Suitable container size: 1.0 liter container.Height: Average 27 cm. in height.Width: Average 40 cm. in width.Hardiness: 0° to 40° C.Propagation: Cuttings.Time to initiate roots: Approximately 30 days to produce roots on an initial cutting.Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner: Approximately 60 days.Root system: Fine and fibrous.Stem:Branching habit.—Freely branching.Average number of lateral branches.—3.Pinching.—Yes.Lateral branch diameter.—3 mm. in diameter.Lateral branch length.—11 cm. in length.Lateral branch strength.—Moderately strong.Stem color.—185A.Pubescence.—Dense, short.Internode length.—8 mm. between nodes.Shape.—Round.Surface.—Dull.Stem strength.—Moderately strong.Foliage:Texture.—Very glossy, slightly leathery.Leaf arrangement.—Alternate, clustered towards the top of the stems.Compound or single.—Single.Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—16.Leaf shape.—Elliptic.Leaf apex.—Obtuse.Leaf base.—Acute.Leaf length.—3.8 cm. in length.Leaf width.—1.5 cm. in width.Pubescence.—Absent.Leaf margin.—Entire.Vein pattern.—Pinnate.Young leaf color(upper surface).—141A.Young leaf color(lower surface).—141B.Mature leaf color(upper surface).—131A.Mature leaf color(lower surface).—131A.Vein color(lower surface).—131B.Vein color(upper surface).—131B.Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.Petiole dimensions.—8 mm. in length, slightly flattened 2 mm. in width, 1 mm. in height.Petiole color.—143C.Durability of foliage to stress.—Moderate.Flower:Flower arrangement.—Terminal clusters.Inflorescence type.—Funnelform.Inflorescence dimensions.—9 cm. in diameter and 5 cm. in height.Flowering habit.—Continuously once a year.Quantity of flowers per lateral stem.—Approximately 5.Quantity of flower buds per lateral stem.—Approximately 1 to 5.Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Approximately 60.Flowering season.—February to April.Time to flower or response time.—2 to 4 weeks depending on temperature regime.Rate of flower opening.—After the first flower of a cluster has opened, all flowers of that cluster will open in approximately 14 days.Fragrance.—None.Self-cleaning or persistent.—Persistent.Flower bud length.—9 mm. in length.Flower bud diameter.—7 mm. in diameter.Flower bud shape.—Ovate.Rate of bud opening.—10 days.Flower aspect.—Upright.Flower shape.—Funnelform.Flower dimensions.—5.5 cm. in diameter and 2.5 cm. in height.Flower longevity.—Lasts approximately 21 days on plant.Petal appearance.—Dull, slight velvety.Petal texture.—Glabrous.Petal arrangement.—Funnelform, rosette.Number of petals.—Approximately five in number.Petals fused or unfused.—Fused.Petal shape.—Obovate.Petal margin.—Entire.Petal apex.—Rounded.Petal dimensions.—2.1 cm. in length and 1.8 cm. in width.Petal color when opening(upper side).—53B.Petal color when opening(under side).—53B.Petal color when fully opened(upper side).—53B with 46A on the throat.Petal color when fully opened(under side).—53B.Petal color fading to.—Not fading.Calyx:Calyx shape.—Rounded.Sepals:Sepal appearance.—Dull, pubescent.Number of sepals.—Five in number.Sepals fused or unfused.—Fused.Sepal shape.—Ovate.Sepal margin.—Entire.Sepal dimensions.—2 mm. in length and 2 mm. in width.Reproduction organs:Stamen number.—1.Anther shape.—Fused to petals.Pistil number.—1 in number.Pistil dimensions.—2.0 cm. in length.Stigma shape.—Club shaped.Stigma color.—155C.Style length.—1.7 cm.Seed: Seed production has not been observed to date.Disease and pest resistance: Plants of the newRhododendronhave not been observed for disease or pest resistance.