<i>Spiraea </i>plant named ‘MAD-SP1’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Spiraea plant named ‘MAD-SP1’, characterized by a combination of deep pink, self-cleaning flowers with medium green colored foliage, a moderately vigorous growth rate with a compact, low-mounding growth habit, and superior leaf spot resistance.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Spiraea plant named ‘MAD-SP1’ as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar of Spiraea japonica ‘MAD-SP1’ showing the colors as true as possible. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describes the colors of the new Spiraea japonica ‘MAD-SP1’. The photographs were taken of plants grown outdoors in Watkinsville, Ga. on May 21, 2021.

(2) The photograph labeled FIG. 1 depicts a top-view of a typical two-year-old ‘MAD-SP1’ plant showing the substantially compact, low-mounding, growth habit, as well as the deeper, vibrant pink colored flowers and medium green foliage.

(3) The photograph labeled FIG. 2 depicts another top-view of a typical two-year-old ‘MAD-SP1’ plant showing the vibrant pink colored flowers and less compact growth habit.

(4) The photograph labeled FIG. 3 depicts a close-up view of a typical two-year-old ‘MAD-SP1’ plant showing the vibrant pink colored flowers and medium green foliage.

(5) The photograph labeled FIG. 4 depicts on overhead view of a typical two-year-old Spiraea ‘little princess’ plant for comparison, showing the much lighter pink flowers and medium green foliage.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(6) The following traits have been consistently observed in the original plant of this new variety and in asexually propagated progeny grown from Athens, Ga. (Zone 7(b)), and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, their combination forms the unique characteristics of the new variety ‘MAD-SP1’.

(7) Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 5.sup.th edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England in 2015, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

(8) The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements, and values describe plants of the Spiraea japonica cultivar named ‘MAD-SP1’. Data were collected from a horticulture farm and nursery in Athens, Ga. from 2-year-old plants (from cuttings from stock plants and grown in 3-gallon containers in a green house in Athens, Ga. The average low temperatures ranged from about 33-42° in the winter and the average high temperatures ranged from about 85-92° F. in summer. Botanical classification: Spiraea japonica ‘MAD-SP1’. Commercial classification: Ornamental shrub. Parentage: Open pollination of female parent Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess’. Growth and propagation: Propagation type.—Terminal cutting. Growth rate.—About 10-14 days to initiate roots; about 21 days to produce rooted cutting; Commercial crop time — about 15 weeks from rooted cutting to finish in a 3-gallon container. Root description.—Fibrous and fine, white to brown in color. Rooting habit.—Freely branched, dense. Plant description: Form.—Compact, low-mounding growth habit. Branching habit.—Freely branching. Usage.—Various uses, such as container patio plants, potted plants, border, hedge, and mass planting. Vigor.—Moderately vigorous. Size of plant.—A. Height (cm): from soil level to top of plant, about 36 cm. B. Plant diameter/area of spread (diameter of the canopy): about 32 cm. Branch/stem.—A. Quantity: about 15 main stems per plant with approximately 10 lateral branches per stem. B. Length: About 22 cm. C. Base Diameter: About 3 mm. D. Aspect: erect to about 45° from center. E: Odor (of bruised stem): F. Internode length: central internode about 11 mm. G: Texture of mature stem: woody. H: Color (R.H.S.): 1. young stem: 145A. 2. mature stem: 200A. I. Shape: upright. J: Strength of lateral branches: strong. Leaf.—A. Leaf type: simple. B. Mature size (L×W): About 4-5 cm×about 2-3 cm. C. Arrangement on stem: alternate. D. Aspect: about 45°. E. Color (R.H.S.): 1. young foliage: upper surface — 143B, venation 151 A; lower surface — 142C, venation 143D. 2. mature foliage: upper surface — 137B, venation 151 A; lower surface — 136C, venation 151A. F. Leaf Number: Average of about 45 per stem. G. Apex: acute. H. Base: cunueate. I. Margin: serrate. J. Shape: ovate. K. Venation: pinnate. L. Texture of upper surface: glabrous, moderately rugose. M. Texture of lower surface: glabrous, ribbed. N. Odor when crushed: none detected. Petiole.—A. Length: About 3 mm. B. Shape: globose. C. Color (R.H.S.): upper and lower surface, 151A. D. Texture: glabrous. E. Diameter: About 1 mm. F. Sheath: unknown. Inflorescence(s).—A. Type: compound corymbs. B. Number per Plant: about 30-32. C. Size: height — about 2-3 cm; diameter — about 8-10 cm. D. Color (R.H.S.) at full bloom: NN155D. E. Longevity: about 20 days. F. Peduncle. 1. Length: about 1 cm. 2. Diameter: about 2 cm. 3. Color (R.H.S.): 59C. 4. Texture: glabrous. 5. Strength: strong. 6. Aspect: erect to about 45 degrees from branch to axis. 7. Shape: rounded. Flower.—A. Number per Inflorescence: about 200-220. B. Type: single/rotate not persistent. C. Shape: whorl. D. Size (corolla): diameter — about 5 mm; depth — about 3 mm. E. Aspect: upright. F. Color at peak bloom (R.H.S.): 74B. G. Fragrance: none detected. H. Time of full maturity: May. I. Time range for showiness: flowers emerge in May in zone 7b and persist until mid-October. J. Bud (just before opening): 1. Diameter: about 2 mm. 2. Shape: globose. 3. Color (R.H.S.): 74B. 4. Longevity: currently unknown. K. Petals: 1. Number: 5. 2. Size (l×w): about 3 mm×about 3 mm. 3. Shape: orbicular. 4. Apex: rounded. 5. Base: obtuse. 6. Margin: entire. 7. Color when fully opened (R.H.S.): upper and lower surfaces — 74B. 8. Texture: upper and lower surface — glabrous. 9. Arrangement: single whorl. L. Pedicels: 1. Color (R.H.S.): 143B. 2. Texture/Pubescence: glabrous. 3. Length: about 5 mm. 4. Diameter: about 1 mm. 5. Aspect: erect. 6. Strength: strong. M. Sepal(s): 1. Number: 5. 2. Size (l×w): about 3 mm×3 mm. 3. Shape: lanceolate. 4. Apex: acute. 5. Base: fused. 6. Margin: entire. 7. Texture: upper and lower surface — glabrous. 8. Arrangement: single whorl. 9. Color at peak of bloom (R.H.S.): a. Upper surface: N66A. b. Lower surfaces: N66A. N. Calyx: 1. Shape: star shaped. 2. Diameter: about 4 mm. 3. Depth: about 4 mm. O. Male reproductive structures (Androecium): 1. Stamen. a. Number: about 40 per flower. b. Length: about 5 mm. 2. Anther: a. Length: less than about 1 mm. b. Shape: globose. c. Color (R.H.S.): 162A. d. Texture/pubescence: pubescent. 3. Filament: a. Length: about 5 mm. b. Color (R.H.S.): 74B. 4. Pollen: a. Quantity: slight. b. Pollen color (R.H.S.): 162A. P. Female Reproductive structures (Gynoecium): 1. Pistil: a. Length: about 2 mm. b. Pubescence: yes. 2. Stigma: a. Shape: garrated. b. Color (R.H.S.): N15D. c. Pubescence: yes 3. Style: a. Length: about 2 mm b. Number: 5 styles fused to 1 ovary c. Color (R.H.S.): 74B d. Pubescence: yes. 4. Ovary: a. Length: about 0.5 mm. b. Color (R.H.S.): N144B. c. Pubescence: yes. Fruit.—None observed. Seed.—None observed. Weather/temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Spiraea have been observed to regularly tolerate temps as high as 38° C./100° F. in the summer. Conversely it can regularly tolerate −30° F. in the winter. USDA Zone range 4-9. Disease/pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Spiraea have been observed to have the most leaf spot resistance of any Spiraea cultivar observed.