<i>Picea </i>plant named ‘MonEva’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Picea tree named ‘MonEva’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive silver blue needles on a compact, slow growing plant. The new cultivar is a Picea pungens, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Picea tree named ‘MonEva’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph illustrates in full color a close up view of a branches of the new variety. 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 ‘MonEva’ plants grown outdoors in Dayton, Oreg. Plants are approximately 1 year old, in a 1-gallon nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Picea pungens ‘MonEva’.

PROPAGATION

(3) Time to rooting: About 90 days at approximately 20° F. Root description: Woody, moderately well branched. Colored near RHS Brown 200C and near Grey-Brown 199B.

PLANT

(4) Growth habit: Evergreen compact, pyramidal tree. Forms a dense, symmetrical pyramidal shaped tree. Height: Approximately 44 cm after 1.5 years. Plant spread: Approximately 24 cm. after 1.5 years. Typical growth rate: Slow. Age of plant described: About 1.5 years. Branching characteristics: Dense branching from a single main stem. Lateral stems are held at an angle of approximately 30 to 45 degrees from the main stem. Main stem: Length.—Average 25 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 1.2 cm at base, approximately 8 mm at top. Color.—Near RHS Grey-Brown 199B, streaked Greyed-Orange 166C. Texture.—Rough, covered in small scars from needles falling off. Strength.—Very strong and flexible. Bark, on lower trunk of main stem.—Moderately rough and slightly scaly. Colored near Grey-Brown 199A and N199C. Lateral Branches: Length of lateral branches: Average range 6 to 10 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Average 4 mm. Lateral branch shape in cross section: Round. Lateral branch strength: Flexible, strong. Lateral branch color: Near RHS Grey-Brown 199C. Lateral branch texture: Smooth between needles. Internode length: Average range between 1.0 cm and 3.0 cm. Dormant bud: Conical, About 10 to 14 mm long and 5 to 6 mm wide on 2 year old plant. Colored near Greyed-Orange 165C flushed 165B. Apex begins domed and flattens with maturity. Terminal bud burst: Approximately March, depending upon environmental conditions. Current year shoot growth: Approximately 4 cm to 9 cm in length. Colored near Greyed-Green 193A flushed 190A. 20 to 30 needles on average per linear cm. Emerging needles on this growth colored near Blue-Green 122C.

FOLIAGE

(5) Leaf: Arrangement.—Spirally whorled. Type.—Needle. Shape of blade.—Slightly triangular needle. Average length.—Approximately 1.5 cm. Average width.—Approximately 2 mm. Apex.—Acute, sharp. Base.—Obtuse. Attachment.—Sessile. Margin.—Entire. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Leaf internode length.—1 mm to 3 mm. Color.—Young foliage: Near RHS Blue-Green 122B. Mature foliage: Near RHS Greyed-Green 191A flushed Greyed-Green 190B. Venation.—Linear, indistinguishable from leaf blade. Durability of foliage to stresses.—Flexible and resistant to breakage. Fragrance.—Not noticeable. Needle curvature.—Very weak.

FLOWER

(6) Flowering not observed.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(7) Cone production: Not observed. Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility observed. Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 2-8.