Rhododendron plant named ‘ROBLEZ’

Abstract

A new and distinct Rhododendron cultivar named ‘ROBLEZ’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive semi-double red flowers. Plants bloom Spring, Summer and Fall and exhibit good tolerance for both hot and cold conditions. The new cultivar is a Rhododendron, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘ROBLEZ’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph in the FIGURE illustrates in full color a close up of typical flowers of the new variety. Age of the plant is approximately 2 years. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(2) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘ROBLEZ’ plants grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala. Plants are approximately 2 years old, in a 3 gallon nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Rhododendron hybrid ‘ROBLEZ’. Propagation: Typically by semi-hardwood cuttings in Spring and Summer. Root description: Fine, fibrous young roots, well branched. Colored near RHS Grey-Brown 199A.

PLANT

(3) Growth habit: Compact, globular shrub. Height: Approximately 32 cm to top of foliar and flowering plane. Plant spread: Approximately 50 cm. Branching characteristics: Well branched, approximately 4 primary branches from the center of the plant. Branches occur at approximately 45° to 75° angles. Each primary branch has 4 to 8 lateral branches. Primary branches: Length of primary branches.—Average 15 cm. Diameter of primary branches.—Approximately 0.6 cm. Primary branch strength.—Very strong, difficult to break. Primary branch color.—Young primary branches near RHS Yellow-Green N144D; oldest branches become woody, colored near Brown 200B. Primary branch texture.—Immature growth hirsute. Older growth scaly, hirsute. Lateral branches: Number of lateral branches.—Approximately 4 to 8 per primary branch. Length of lateral branches.—Average 7 cm. Diameter of lateral branches.—Average 0.4 cm. Lateral branch strength.—Very strong, flexible. Lateral branch color.—Immature branches near RHS Greyed-Purple 183A, turning, Yellow-Green N144D. Lateral branch texture.—Hirsute. Internode length.—Average 1.0 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 years.

FOLIAGE

(4) Leaf: Type.—Simple. Arrangement.—Alternate. Average length.—Approximately 4.4 cm. Average width.—Approximately 2.2 cm. Shape of blade.—Obovate to nearly spatulate. Apex.—Mucronate. Base.—Broad attenuate. Attachment.—Stalked. Margin.—Entire. Texture of top surface.—Pubescent. Hairs appressed. Texture of bottom surface.—Pubescent. More hairs present along main vein and margin. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A, but darker. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144A. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Petiole.—Length: About 0.6 cm. Diameter: About 0.15 cm. Color: Upper Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D. Lower Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D.

FLOWER

(5) Bloom period: Plants begin flowering in the Spring, and continue to produce flowers throughout Summer and Fall. Flower: Arrangement.—Axillary clusters of perfect, semi-double open funnel shaped individual flowers. Typically 3 to 7 flowers per cluster. Inflorescence: Height.—Average 14.0 cm. Diameter.—Average 15.0 cm. Peduncle: Length.—Average 8.9 cm. Diameter.—0.3 cm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green N144A. Texture.—Densely pubescent. Aspect.—Straight. Angle of attachment, approximately 35° angle from stem. Flowers: Length.—Average 4.1 cm. Diameter.—Average 6.5 cm. Facing direction.—Outwardly and upwardly facing. Persistent or self-cleaning.—Petals self-cleaning. Fragrance.—Very faint. Tube: Tube length.—Approximately 1.3 cm. Tube width a widest point.—Approximately 1.2 cm. Tube width and narrowest point.—Approximately 0.4 cm. Petals: Unfused petal segments.—Length: Approximately 2.5 cm. Width: Approximately 3.0 cm. Apex.—Blunt, rounded with shallow, irregular lobes. Occasionally retuse. Shape of petal.—Unfused portion, obovate. Petal margin.—Entire. Aspect very slightly undulating. Petal arrangement.—Overlapping, bilateral symmetry dissecting bottom petal. Petals fused approximately ⅓ fused from base. Petal number.—5. Petal texture.—Smooth. Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Red 53A. Under surface at first opening: Near RHS Red 53A. Inner surface at maturity: Near RHS Red 53B, 3 upper petals dotted with Greyed-Purple 1871A. Outer surface at maturity: Near RHS Red 53C. Upper surface at fading: Near RHS Red 53C, 3 upper petals dotted with Greyed-Purple 1871A. Under surface at fading: Near RHS Red 53C. Bud: Shape.—Elliptic. Length.—3.1 cm. Diameter.—1.3 cm. Color.—Near RHS Red 53A. Calyx/sepals: Quantity per flower.—5 sepals. Shape.—Narrow deltate. Length.—0.7 cm. Width.—0.3 cm. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Fused. Margin.—Entire. Texture.—Highly pubescent. Color.—Inner Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Outer Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(6) Stamens: Number.—5 full stams, 5 staminoidal structures, approximately 50% of the size of the full stamens. Length.—2.6 cm. Width.—0.1 cm. Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 58B. Anthers.—Length: Approximately 0.3 cm. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 59A. Pollen: Not observed. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—4.5 cm. Style.—Length: Average 3.7 cm. Color: Near RHS Red 53D. Stigma.—Globular, colored near Red 54A. Ovary.—Sericeous texture. Approximately 0.3 cm in diameter. Colored near Yellow-Green 145A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(7) Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Rhododendron. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zone 6. Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.