Pieris japonica named Crystal

A new variety of Pieris bush characterized by the dark green leaves which are extremely thick, deeply serrated, have a waxy appearance when mature and remain glossy all year round.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
My new Pieris bush originated as a seedling growing in a landscape of 
Pieris japonica in a cultivated area in New London, Conn. Cuttings were 
rooted and plants have been asexually reproduced by me at New London, 
Conn., since 1970. Present propagation is done at Verkade's Nursery, Inc., 
Waterford, Conn. Propagation has been continued since 1970 because the 
leaves were thick and possessed a dark green color having a shiny, waxy 
upper surface not found in P. japonica, and after several generations, the 
distinguishing features remain fixed and hold true from generation to 
generation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT 
The following is a detailed description of the new variety of Pieris plant 
with color designations according to The RHS Colour Chart published by The 
Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. 
THE PLANT 
Origin: Seedling. 
Parentage: Seed and pollen parent were Pieris japonica. 
Botanical name: Pieris japonica. 
Commercial name: Japanese Andromeda. 
Form: Bush. 
Shape: Globose. 
Height: 1.4 m. (4 feet). 
Growth habit: 15 cm. per year (6 inches). 
Foliage: 
Leaves.--Quantity: Generous. Size: 5 to 6.5 cm. long by 1.8 to 2.4 cm. 
wide. Form: Ovate to oblong; lanceolate. Margin type: Distal two-thirds 
more toothed than typical for species. Color: Upper side -- Dark Green 
147A. Lower side -- 146A or B. Upper mid-vein -- 144A. Pedicel of upper 
leaves -- 59A. Angle of leaf blade base: 50.degree. to 55.degree.. 
Pubescence: Distribution -- Scattered glandular hairs most prevalent on 
both sides. 
FLOWER BUDS 
Blooming period: Early spring. 
Quantity: Moderate annual bloomer but not floriferous. 
Size: Medium. 
Borne: In terminal panicles. 
Color: White. 
Sepals.--Bud closed -- 59B. Open flower -- 145B. 
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
Pollen: Present but probably nonfunctional. 
Seeds: None. 
This new variety most resembles typical P. japonica in habit and in 
superficial traits. However, there are distinctive differences from the 
species in that the leaves are thick, undulated and dark green with a 
shiny, waxy upper surface. The leaf blade is about 28% thicker and the 
leaf stomates (only under magnification) are 50% larger. The thick, 
leathery leaves and large stomates indicate the plant may be polyploid 
(triploid, or possible tetraploid). That is, the chromosome number is 
likely to be in excess of the normal 2n=24 for the species. The plant is a 
moderate but annual bloomer. It is sterile and sets no seed.