Patent Publication Number: US-PP15797-P2

Title: Clematis variety ‘EVIpo002’

Description:
Botanical classification:  Clematis viticella.    
   Variety denomination: ‘EVIpo002’. 
   Commercial classification: Early-large flowering cultivar. 
   SUMMARY OF THE DISCOVERY 
   The present discovery constitutes a new and distinct variety of  Clematis  which originated from an uncontrolled pollination of two unknown  Clematis  plants. The claimed plant was discovered in a cultivated area. The new variety is named ‘EVIpo002’. 
   The objective of the selection of this  Clematis  variety for commercial glasshouse and nursery culture was to create a new and distinct variety with unique qualities such as:
         1. Large full form red-purple flowers.   2. Compact Growth.   3. Yellow flower center.   4. Strong flower color with good color retention.       

   These qualities required improvement in  Clematis  varieties that were in commercial cultivation and the objectives have been substantially achieved in the new variety, as evidenced by the unique combination of characteristics that are present in ‘EVIpo002’ which distinguish it from all other varieties of which we are aware. 
   Evaluations were conducted on the discovered seeling in a controlled environment. ‘EVIpo002’ was selected by Raymond J. Evison and Mogens N. Olesen in their  Clematis  development program in Domarie Vineries Les Sauvagees, St. Sampsons, Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom in April 1997. 
   Asexual reproduction of ‘EVIpo002’ by cuttings was first done by Raymond J. Evison and Mogens N. Olesen in Domarie Vineries Les Sauvagees, St. Sampsons, Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom in May 1997. This initial and subsequent propagations have demonstrated that the characteristics of ‘EVIpo002’ are true to type and are transmitted from one generation to the next. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The accompanying color illustration show as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in color photographs of this type: 
       FIG. 1.1  Juvenile foliage attached to stems, petiole, petiolule, and stems; 
       FIG. 1.2  Mature foliage with petiole; 
       FIG. 1.3  Bracts and various stages of flower development; 
       FIG. 1.4  Open flower, upper side 
       FIG. 1.5  Open flower, lower side 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY 
   The following is a detailed description of ‘EVIpo002’, as observed in its growth throughout the flowering period in glasshouses at Domarie Vineries Les Sauvagees, St. Sampsons, Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom. Plants were cultivated for two years in two liter pots. Certain phenotypical characteristics of the variety may vary under different environmental, cultural, agronomic, seasonal, and climatic conditions. Color references are made using The Royal Horticultural Society (London, England) Colour Chart, 2001. 
   For a comparison, the nearest existing  Clematis  variety is ‘Niobe’, a non-patented variety. Chart 1 details several physical characteristics of the claimed  Clematis  plant and the comparison variety. 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
           
             
                 
               CHART 1 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               ‘EVIpo002’ 
               ‘Niobe’ 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
               Leaflet size 
                40 to 50 mm 
                30 to 40 mm 
             
             
                 
               Tepal width 
                30 to 40 mm 
                25 to 30 mm 
             
             
                 
               Flower diameter 
               120 to 180 mm 
               100 to 150 mm 
             
             
                 
               Tepal overlap 
               Tepals overlap 
               Tepals do not 
             
             
                 
                 
               by 5 to 10 mm 
               normally overlap 
             
             
                 
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   FLOWER AND FLOWER BUD 
   
       
       Blooming habit: Normally blooms in April, May, and June recurring in August, September, and October. Flowering may be prolonged throughout the growing season if pruned accordingly. 
       Flower bud:
             Size.— 30 to 40 mm in length. 10 to 13 mm in diameter.     Bud form.— Long ovoid.     Bud color.— Red Purple Group 61A at ¼ opening.     Tepals.— Purple Group N79C.     Peduncle.— Surface: Smooth. Length: 90 to 120 mm average length. Color: Green Group 131A. Strength: Strong. Diameter: 2 mm.     Borne.— Normally compound cymes. Early season flowers may be borne single.       
     
       Flower bloom:
             Size.— 120 to 180 mm in diameter.     Form.— Upon opening: Flat with tepals slightly reflexing.     Depth.— Flower depth as viewed from the side is 5 to 10 mm. Reproductive parts protrude giving flower overall depth of 15 to 20 mm.     Tepal color.— Upon opening; Upper Surface is Red-Purple Group 71A. Lower Surface is Red-Purple Group 71A. After opening; Upper Surface is Red-Purple Group 71A. Lower Surface is Red-Purple is Purple N79C. At the basal zone, tepals are Violet N90A.     Variations.— As the flower matures, the upper surface of the tepal exhibits more blue tones and tends towards Purple RHS79C.     Fragrance.— None to very light floral fragrance.     Lasting quality on plant and as a cut flower.— 2 to 5 days as a cut flower. Flowers persist 7 to 12 days on the plant.       
     
       Tepals:
             Tepal count.— Single Average: 6.     Shape.— Obovate. Base is obtuse. Apex is mucronate.     Size.— Normally 70 to 80 mm long by 30 to 38 mm wide.     Cross section.— Reflexed.     Undulation of margin.— Sepal margin is entire with slight undulations, 1 to 2 in quantity, along the length of the tepal. The depth of these undulations is typically 5 to 10 mm.     Tepal apex.— Cuspidate.     Recurvature of tip.— Slight.     Persistence.— Tepals drop off cleanly.     Arrangement.— Tepals are arranged regularly.       
     
       Reproductive organs:
             Pollen.— Quantity: Average. Color: Yellow Group 11B.     Anthers.— Length: 4 to 7 mm. Color: Yellow Group 11B. Arrangement: Regular.     Filaments.— Color: White Group 155A.     Pistil.— Quantity: 30 to 45.     Stigmas.— Protrude from flower as it reaches full maturity.     Styles.— Yellow Group 11B.     Seed production.— Under normal conditions, each ovary will produce 15 to 25 seeds. Seed is Green Group 143C in color and is circular to tear shaped. Seed diameter is 2 to 3 mm with an elongated plumule 15 to 25 mm in length.       
     
     
  
   PLANT 
   
       
       Plant form: Climbing and spreading. 
       Plant growth: Moderately vigorous. 
       Height: Seasons growth attains 2 to 2.5 meters. 
       Width: 1 to 2 meters. 
       Hardiness: Trials to date show the variety hardy in USDA Zones 4-9. 
       Stems:
             Color.— Young wood: Red Purple Group 61A. Older wood: Greyed Orange Group 165C.     Internodes.— Cylindrical. Length: 180 to 120 mm.     Dimensions.— Normally 1 to 2 meters in length. Diameter is 2 to 3 mm on average.     Petioles.— Size: Average length: 60 to 80 mm. Color: Red Purple 61A. Undersurface: Smooth. Clasping: By leaf Petiole.     Bark.— Young wood: Smooth. Older wood: Smooth.       
     
       Plant foliage: Deciduous.
             Form.— Three broadly ovate leaflets arranged in pinnate form.     Terminal leaflet size.— 40 to 50 mm in length by 70 to 80 mm wide.     Compound leaf size.— On average, 120 mm long by 100 mm wide.     Abundance.— Above Average.     Color.— Above: Green Group 137B. Bottom: Green Group 137B.       
     
       Plant leaves and leaflets:
             Stipules.— Absent.     Petioloule.— Length: 10 to 30 mm. Color: Red Purple 61A.     Leaf edge.— Terminal leaflet margin is entire with mild undulations.     Shape.— Base of leaflet: Rounded to Cordate. Apex of leaflet: Acute.     Texture.— Upper side: Rough. Lower side: Rough.     Thickness.— Moderate.     Glossiness.— Matte Finish.       
     
       Disease resistance: Subject to any disease that normally attacks the species, however the variety is more tolerant to  Botrytis  and mildew than some  Clematis.