Sempervivum plant named ‘Gold Nugget’

Abstract

A new cultivar of Sempervivum plant named ‘Gold Nugget’ characterized by its unique foliage coloration throughout the growing seasons; spring coloration is golden green with dark red margins (picotee), summer coloration is lime green without red margins, fall coloration is golden yellow with dark red leaf margins, winter coloration is red, its very vigorous growth habit, its plant height up to 7.6 cm and a plant width of 13 cm, and by its hardiness in at least U.S.D.A. Zones 4 to 9.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Sempervivum plant named ‘Gold Nugget’ as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new Sempervivum as grown in Hudsonville, Mich.

(2) The photograph in FIG. 1 provides a view of a plant of ‘Gold Nugget’ about 3 months in age as grown outdoors in a 1-quart container and provides a view of the foliage coloration in spring and fall.

(3) The photograph in FIG. 2 was taken of a plant about 6 months in age as grown outdoor in a garden and provides a view of the winter foliage coloration of ‘Gold Nugget’.

(4) The colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Sempervivum.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar as observed on 3 month-old plants of ‘Gold Nugget’ as grown in 3.5-inch containers in Hudsonville, Mich. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, as it has not been tested under all possible environmental conditions. The color determination is in accordance with The 2015 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. General description: Blooming period.—No flowers have been produced to date. Plant type.—Evergreen succulent perennial. Plant habit.—Compact, non-flopping, mound-forming, low-growing groundcover. Height and spread.—Reaches an average of 7.6 cm in height and 13 cm in width. Hardiness.—At least hardy in U.S.D.A. Zones 4 to 9. Diseases.—No foliage diseases have been observed to date (Sempervivums are generally disease free unless grown under wet and cold conditions). Root description.—Fibrous, 158D in color. Propagation.—Vegetative offshoots (chicks) that emerge from lower leaf nodes surrounding mother plant. Root development.—A vegetative offshoot will fully root in a 3.5-inch container in about 12 weeks. Growth rate.—Highly vigorous, a plant growing in a one-quart container will produce about 4 offshoots. Stem description: Stem shape.—Stemless. Foliage description: Leaf shape.—Widely obovate. Leaf division.—Simple. Leaf arrangement.—Whorled. Leaf base.—Truncate. Leaf apex.—Cuspidate. Leaf venation.—Not conspicuous, color surfaces matches leaf color. Leaf margins.—Entire, moderately covered with fine pubescent hairs and average of 1 mm in length and match leaf color. Leaf attachment.—Sessile. Leaf orientation.—Nearly horizontal to slightly upward, slightly cupped with tips slightly reflexed. Leaf substance.—Thick, succulent. Leaf surface.—Glossy and very finely puberulent on both surfaces. Leaf color.—Spring and fall months; young upper and lower surfaces is a color between 160A and 150A, base 145C, tips 43B, margins N144A, mature upper and lower surfaces a blend of 143A and 144A, tips a blend of 43B and 64A, margins N144A, summer; upper and lower surface is a blend of N144B and 146A, winter; upper and lower surface; center to mid section of plant; base of foliage is 145A, blending upward and becoming 45B, suffused with N45A at the tip, mid section to base of plant; base of foliage is 145A, blending upward and becoming a blend of 46A and 183A. Leaf size.—Average of 3 cm in length and 1.2 cm in width and up to 3 mm in thickness when mature. Flower description: No blooms have been observed to date and it is not expected to bloom as the parent plant rarely blooms.