Patent Publication Number: US-PP20293-P2

Title: Ajuga plant named ‘Binparcol’

Description:
Genus:  Ajuga.    
   Species:  reptans.    
   Denomination: ‘BINPARCOL’. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a new variety of bugle grown for use in container, rock garden, and as a small-scale groundcover for the landscape. The new invention from the family Labiateae is known botanically as  Ajuga reptans  and will be referred to hereinafter as ‘BINPARCOL’. 
   The new cultivar named ‘BINPARCOL’ has resulted from a breeding program established at the inventor&#39;s nursery in West Sussex, United Kingdom, in 2004. The aim of the breeding program is to produce new and improved varieties of  Ajuga  which are robust in cultivation and colorful in the landscape. In particular, the inventor wished to develop new varieties which are consistent with the robust qualities of the inventor&#39;s  Ajuga  variety,  Ajuga  ‘Black Scallop’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,815). Thus the criteria for selection include foliage interest through pronounced and contrasting leaf coloration, and broader, glossier and thicker leaves which confer robustness, tolerance to high temperatures and light intensity, and resistance to powdery mildew attack. 
   ‘BINPARCOL’ was selected by the inventor in 2006 from a variable population of vegetatively propagated plants of  Ajuga  ‘Burgundy Glow’ (unpatented). ‘Burgundy Glow’ is a variegated variety which, due to its variegation, does not reproduce entirely true to type when asexually reproduced, especially using tissue culture. Initially, seven unique tissue culture explant clones of potential were isolated and subjected to subsequent vegetative propagation and growing on in a range of container sizes, for repeated evaluation of overall appearance, robustness, distinctness, and uniformity. From these growing trials, ‘BINPARCOL’ was selected as having the brightest multi-colored foliage and the most compact habit. Although ‘BINPARCOL’ has a constantly creeping habit, its stems and branches have short internodes and growth extends by approximately 6-9 inches per year. 
   ‘BINPARCOL’ exhibits compact, mat-forming habit, large, glossy, thick multi-colored leaves, and light blue flowers that bloom in late summer. Cultural needs include full sun, moisture retentive soil, and moderate water. ‘BINPARCOL’ exhibits resistance to powdery mildew, and is hardy to USDA Zone 3. 
   The pattern of foliage coloration is unique to this variety, and is best illustrated by a series of drawings. The leaf exhibits color elements of cream-white around the edges, grey-green in the body of the leaf, and rose-red in centers. A portion of individual leaves are entirely suffused by rose-pink color. Overall the foliage is brighter, with rounder, thicker leaves. 
   ‘BINPARCOL’ is distinguishable from all other  Ajuga  known to the inventor. The closest comparison plant is the parent plant  Ajuga  ‘Burgundy Glow’. The new variety ‘BINPARCOL’ is distinguishable from ‘Burgundy Glow’ by larger, round, thicker leaves, and brighter foliage color with prominent contrasting cream-white leaf edges. 
   The first asexual reproduction of ‘BINPARCOL’ occurred in 2006 and was accomplished at the inventor&#39;s nursery in West Sussex, United Kingdom. Asexual propagation was carried out by the inventor using the method of stem cuttings. Since that time under careful observation ‘BINPARCOL’ has been determined fixed, stable and true to type in subsequent generations of asexual propagation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new  Ajuga  cultivar named ‘BINPARCOL’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘BINPARCOL’ from all other existing varieties of  Ajuga  known to the inventor. ‘BINPARCOL’ has not been tested under all possible conditions. Phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions without however any variance in genotype.
         1. ‘BINPARCOL’ exhibits compact mat-forming habit.   2. The stems and branches of ‘BINPARCOL’ are comprised of short internodes and the rate of stem growth is approximately 6 inches per year.   3. ‘BINPARCOL’ reaches a maximum height of 200 mm.   4. ‘BINPARCOL’ exhibits multi-colored leaves that are cream-white, grey-green and rose-red in color.   5. Individual leaves on ‘BINPARCOL’ are entirely suffused by rose-pink color.   6. ‘BINPARCOL’ exhibits light blue flowers which bloom in late summer.   7. ‘BINPARCOL’ is hardy to USDA Zone 3.       

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new  Ajuga  cultivar named ‘BINPARCOL’ showing color as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in color reproductions of this type. Color in the drawings may differ from color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual color of the new variety ‘BINPARCOL’. 
     Drawing labeled  FIG. 1  depicts the plant from a side perspective illustrating the multi-color foliage. 
     Drawing labeled  FIG. 2  depicts the flower. 
     Drawings were made using conventional techniques and although flower and foliage color may appear different from actual color due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography. 
   

   BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT 
   The following is a detailed botanical description of the new  Ajuga  cultivar named ‘BINPARCOL’. Observations, measurements, values and comparisons were collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. from 9-month-old plants in 1-liter containers. Color determinations are made in accordance with the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements of the new variety ‘BINPARCOL’ are similar to the species.
     Botanical classification:  Ajuga reptans  ‘BINPARCOL’.   Family: Labiateae.   Genus:  Ajuga.      Species:  reptans.      Denomination: ‘BINPARCOL’.   Common name: Bugle.   Habit: Compact mat-forming.   Commercial category: Perennial herb.   Use: Container, rock garden, and small-scale groundcover for the landscape.   Suggested commercial container size: 1-liter container.   Parentage:  Ajuga reptans  ‘BINPARCOL’ is a clonal selection resulting from a formal breeding program. The sole parent is  Ajuga  ‘Burgundy Glow’ (unpatented).   Propagation method: Methods of tip cuttings, and division.   Rooting system: Fine.   Vigor (range): Low to moderate.   Crop time (range): 9-12 months to produce a 1-liter container from stem cuttings.   Temperature (range): The recommended air temperature is 20-21° Centigrade.   Plant dimensions (at maturity): A maximum of 200 mm. in height and creeping to an indefinite width.   Cultural requirements: Grow in moisture retentive soil, full sun, with moderate water.   Pest or disease resistance: Resistant to mildew.   Hardiness: USDA Zone 3.   Stem:
             Shape. —Cylindrical.     Surface. —Glabrous.     Color.— 146C.     Stem length  ( average ).—10 cm.     Stem diameter  ( average ).—3 mm.     Internode  ( average ).—1.40 cm.       
       Foliage:
             Type. —Evergreen.     Leaf arrangement. —Opposite.     Leaf division. —Simple.     Leaf margin  ( range ).—Crenate.     Leaf surface  ( abaxial ).—Puberulent and rugose.     Leaf surface  ( adaxial ).—Glabrous and rugose.     Leaf appearance. —Glossy.     Leaf shape. —Reniform.     Leaf length  ( average ).—3.50 cm.     Leaf width  ( average ).—4 cm.     Leaf color  ( abaxial surface ).—182C, N138C and 161D are all individually present.     Leaf color  ( adaxial surface ).—182A, 185B, N138C and 158A are all individually present.     Leaf apex. —Obtuse.     Leaf base. —Cordate.     Venation. —Pinnate.     Vein color  ( abaxial and adaxial surfaces ).—N138B.     Attachment  ( range ).—Petiolate to clasping.     Petiole shape. —Sulcate.     Petiole surface. —Glabrous.     Petiole color. —N138B.     Petiole dimensions.— 0.60 cm. in length and 0.25 cm. in width.     Leaf fragrance. —Scented when bruised.       
       Inflorescence:
             Inflorescence. —Spike.     Inflorescence dimensions.— 3.50 cm. in length and 2.50 cm in width.     Flower quantity  ( range ).—10-14 per inflorescence.     Bract  ( average ).—16 per inflorescence.     Bract arrangement. —Whorled.     Bract attachment. —Sessile.     Bract shape  ( range ).—Ovate to reniform.     Bract apex. —Acute.     Bract margin. —Entire.     Peduncle shape. —Tetragonal.     Peduncle surface. —Villous.     Peduncle strength. —Strong.     Peduncle color. —N187B.     Peduncle dimensions  ( average ).—3.25 cm. in height and 4 mm. in width.     Bud shape. —Globose.     Bud color. —N187B.     Bud surface. —Villous.     Bud dimensions.— 2.50 mm. in length and 2.50 mm. in width.     Flower shape. —Tubular.     Flower color  ( ventral and dorsal surface )—94A, 94B, 94C, 94D are all individually present.     Flower dimensions.— 9 mm. in depth and 7 mm. in width.     Flower surface  ( dorsal ).—Villous.     Corolla tube depth.— 7 mm.     Corolla tube width.— 2.75 mm.     Lips.— 3 in number.     Lip color  ( adaxial and abaxial surfaces ).—94A, 94B, 94C, 94D are all individually present.     Lip margin. —Entire.     Lip surface  ( abaxial ).—Villous.     Lip apex  ( range ).—Rounded to emarginate.     Calyx shape. —Tubular.     Calyx surface  ( dorsal ).—Villous.     Sepals.— 5 in number.     Sepals fused or unfused. —Fused.     Sepal color.— 189B.     Sepal margin. —Entire.     Sepal apex. —Acute.     Sepal surface  ( abaxial ).—Villous.     Inflorescence fragrance. —None observed.       
       Reproductive organs:
             Stamen quantity.— 4 in number.     Stamen length.— 7 mm.     Stamen color.— 155A.     Anther color. —N186A.     Anther length.—&lt; 1 mm.     Pollen amount. —Low.     Pollen color.— 162A.     Pistil quantity.— 1 in number.     Pistil length.— 9 mm.     Pistil color.— 155A.     Ovary position. —Superior.     Ovary shape. —Globose.     Ovary dimensions.— 1 mm. in height and 1 mm. in diameter.     Ovary color.— 144A.