Patent Publication Number: US-8650-P

Title: Heath plant named Happy

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of the Ericaceae family which has been named Erica persoluta `Happy` by the assignee of the invention. This new heather variety was discovered by the inventory as a seedling of unknown pollen and seed parentage growing in a cultivated field of Erica persoluta. The new variety was noticed because of its early flowering habit, dense and compact appearance, natural short growth habit, orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant, and its tight, narrow and erect spike-like flower clusters. 
     The new variety is desirable for potted plant culture because of it natural compact, dwarfish growth habit which requires minimal pruning to achieve the abundant branching and full, dense appearance desired. 
     The distinguishing characteristics of my new variety which differentiate it from Erica persoluta and other varieties known to me are: 
     1. early bloom time of October through mid January, 
     2. short, dense, compact growth habit, 
     3. natural abundant branching with minimal pruning, 
     4. orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant, and, 
     5. tight, narrow and erect spike-like flower clusters. 
     The distingushing characteristics of my new variety which differentiate it from Erica persoluta, `Heidi` and `Rosemarie` are bloom time and color blooms. 
     
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                                  ERICA                                   
`HAPPY`     `HEIDI`  `ROSEMARIE`  PERSOLUTA                               
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Bloom Oct.-     Mid Dec.-                                                 
                         Dec.-Feb.  March                                 
Season                                                                    
      Mid Jan.  Mid Feb.                                                  
Bloom 78C-78D   71C-71D  66D        70A-70B                               
Color                                                                     
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     Since the inventor&#39;s discovery of the new plant, the assignee, under the direction and control of the inventor at Half Moon Bay, has asexually reproduced the new cultivar through successive generations by means of cuttings and has found that its following characteristics remain true from generation to generation and appear to be firmly fixed: early bloom time; shorter, dense, compact growth habit; natural abundant branching which requires minimal pruning; orchid colored blooms which bloom to the tip of the plant; and tight, thin and erect spike-like flower clusters. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new variety illustrating the overall appearance and form of the plant, including: abundant branching; short height; dense compact appearance; tight, narrow and erect plumes; and blooms all the way to the tip of the plant. 
     FIG. 2 is a close up view of the plumes of the new variety illustrating the abundance of blooms on the plumes and blooms all the way to the tip of the plant. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. The following description is based on observations of well fertilized 4&#34; potted plants of 12 to 16 months of age from initial propagation which were grown outside under saran in a commercial nursery at Half Moon Bay, Calif., where temperatures average from 55 to 65 degrees F. during the summer months, and 45 to 55 degrees F. during the winter months. 
     Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from the slated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal, and cultural conditions. 
     The Plant 
     Origin: Seedling. 
     Parentage: 
     Seed parent.--Unknown. 
     Pollen parent.--Unknown. 
     Classification: 
     Botanic.--Erica persoluta `Happy`. 
     Commercial.--`Happy`. 
     Form: Perennial, compact, woody shrub. 
     Shape: Upright, stems curving slightly to accomodate fullness of plant. 
     Height: Mean 12&#34; to 18&#34;. 
     Girth: Mean 8&#34; to 10&#34;. 
     Branching: Ample, needs minimal pruning. 
     Growth: naturally compact with woody flexible strength. 
     Foliage: Abundant, with tiny needle-like leaves over the entire plant. 
     Size of leaf.--Mean 1/8&#34; long. 
     Shape of leaf.--Acerose like. 
     Character.--Sulcate. 
     Color.--R.H.S. 144 A. 
     Texture.--Smooth. 
     Hardiness: Can tolerate a temperature range of 28 to 100 degrees F. 
     Disease resistance: Considerable resistance to fungus type diseases. Common diseases include phythium and phytoplhora. 
     Seed production: Sparce; commercially produced asexually by cuttings. 
     Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot, sunny, dry weather will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality. 
     In general, the foliage is too tiny to determine further characteristics by plant observation. 
     The Bud 
     Size: 
     Length.--1/8&#34; and less. 
     Diameter.--1/10&#34;and less. 
     Rate of opening: progressive and continuous to the tip of the stem. 
     Petals: Corolline flowers in which the sepals are relatively insignificant. 
     Color: R.H.S. 78 B to 78 D. 
     Inflorescence 
     Blooming habit: Annually, can range from early October through mid January depending upon seasonal weather conditions. 
     Size of bloom: 1/8&#34; by 1/10&#34;. 
     Borne: Spike like clusters with terminal flowers. 
     Shape: Urceolate. 
     Appearance: Satiny. 
     Color: R.H.S. 78 B to 78 C in overall appearance of the plant. 
     Flower stem: 
     Length.--Mean 1/4&#34; to 3&#34;. 
     Color.--R.H.S. 177D. 
     Strength.--Woody and supple. 
     Discoloration: Does not fade. 
     Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot weather is detrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot, dry, sunny weather will accelerate blooming and cause blooms to fade and decline more quickly, shortening its lasting quality. 
     Persistence: Blooms persists long after the stem ceases to draw water. Blooms do not shed easily. 
     Fragrance: Slight. 
     Lasting quality: 
     On plant.--6 to 8 weeks. 
     As a cut flower.--2 weeks. 
     The outstanding characteristics of this new plant resides in its early blooming from October through mid January, whereas Erica persoluta does not begin to bloom until March. Its natural short, compact growth habit makes it suitable for pot plant culture, whereas Erica persoluta is of the cut flower variety and is taller. 
     
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                 `ROSE-   `ERICA    NEW                                   
PLANT  `HEIDI`   MARIE`   PERSOLUTA`                                      
                                    CULTIVAR                              
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Height a 4&#34; pot  Same     a 4&#34; pot will be                                
                                    a 4&#34; pot will be                      
       will be 8&#34;         10&#34; to 12&#34; high                                 
                                    13&#34; to 15&#34; high                       
       or 9&#34; high         in 18 mons.                                     
                                    in 16 mons.                           
       in 18 mons.        growing time                                    
                                    growing time                          
       growing            with numerous                                   
                                    with minimal                          
       time with          pruning   pruning                               
       little or no                                                       
       pruning                                                            
Form   short, dense                                                       
                 Same     Same      Same                                  
       appearing,                                                         
       compact                                                            
       woody                                                              
       shrub                                                              
Shape  Upright,  Same     Upright, stems                                  
                                    Upright,                              
       stems              spreading to                                    
                                    stems curving                         
       curving            produce fullness                                
                                    slightly to                           
       slightly to        of plant  accommodate                           
       accomodate                   fullness of                           
       fullness of                  plant                                 
       plant                                                              
Branch-                                                                   
       naturally Same     generous, ample,                                
ing    generous,          several   minimal (1-2)                         
       minimal or         prunings  prunings                              
       no pruning         necessary (4-5)                                 
                                    necessary to                          
       needed             to encourage                                    
                                    encourage                             
                          branching branching                             
Growth upright but                                                        
                 Same     Same      Same                                  
       naturally                                                          
       short and                                                          
       branching                                                          
       with                                                               
       woody,                                                             
       flexible                                                           
       strength                                                           
Blooming                                                                  
       annual, mid                                                        
                 annual,  annual, early                                   
                                    annual, early                         
Season:                                                                   
       Jan. to mid                                                        
                 Dec.-    March through                                   
                                    Oct. through                          
       Feb.      Feb.     late March                                      
                                    mid Jan.                              
Foliage                                                                   
Color  R.H.S.    R.H.S.   R.H.S. 143A                                     
                                    R.H.S. 144A                           
       143A      144A     with 59A                                        
                          streaking                                       
                          through the                                     
                          leaves                                          
Size   1/8&#34;      Same     Same      Same                                  
Shape  spike-like,                                                        
                 Same     Same      Same                                  
       with stiff,                                                        
       erect stems;                                                       
       Acerose                                                            
Quantity                                                                  
       Abundant  Same     Same      Same                                  
Bloom                                                                     
Size   1/8&#34; × 1/16&#34;                                                 
                 Same     3/16&#34; × 1/16&#34;                             
                                    1/8&#34; × 1/10&#34;                    
Borne  in clusters                                                        
                 Same     Same      Same                                  
       with                                                               
       terminal                                                           
       buds                                                               
Shape  Urceolate Same     Ovoid     Urceolate                             
Color  R.H.S.    R.H.S.   R.H.S. 70A-70B                                  
                                    BR.H.S.                               
       71C-71D   66D                78B-78C                               
Rate of                                                                   
       rapid,    Same     Same      Same                                  
opening:                                                                  
       progressive                                                        
       and                                                                
       continuous                                                         
       beginning                                                          
       at the base                                                        
       of the stem                                                        
       and                                                                
       progressing                                                        
       to the tip                                                         
       of the stem                                                        
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