Ilex PLANT NAMED 'RutHol6'

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Ilex plant named ‘RutHol6’, characterized by its full, oval growth habit; a height-to-width ratio of about 1.3; grayish-red new growth, and wider leaves than similar Ilex cultivars.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Ilex plant named ‘RutHol6’ as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0015] The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar of Ilex ‘RutHol6’ showing the colors as true as possible. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description. The photographs were taken of plants grown outdoors in Watkinsville, Ga. in May of 2021 and are described in the captions below.

[0016] The photograph labeled FIG. 1 depicts a full view of a typical 6-year-old ‘RutHol6’ plant showing the symmetrical, ovoid growth habit.

[0017] The photograph labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of some branches of a typical 6-year-old ‘RutHol6’ plant showing the grayish-red new growth.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following traits have been consistently observed in the original plants of the new ‘RutHol6’ and in asexually propagated progeny grown in Watkinsville, Ga., and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, their combination forms the unique characteristics of the new variety Ilex ‘RutHol6’.

[0019] 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, 6.sup.th edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England in 2015, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

[0020] The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements, and values describe plants of the Ilex cultivar named ‘RutHol6’. Data were collected from a horticulture farm in Watkinsville, Ga. from 6-year-old plants. The average low temperatures ranged from about 15° F. to 30° F. in the winter and about 90° F. to 100°°F. in summer. [0021] Botanical classification: Ilex ‘RutHol6’. [0022] Commercial classification: Ornamental, landscaping. [0023] Parentage: Cross between (Ilex crenata (unpatented) x Ilex maximowicziana (unpatented)) x Ilex viridis (unpatented). [0024] Growth and propagation: [0025] Propagation type.—Vegetative terminal cuttings. [0026] Growth rate.—Moderate. [0027] Root description.—Typically about 5-10 roots arising from the base of the cuttings. [0028] Rooting habit.—Strong. [0029] Plant description: [0030] Habit.—Of 6-year-old plant in field — oval, upright, full, and somewhat open shrub. [0031] Usage.—Various uses, including landscaping, ornamental, container, border, hedge, and mass planting). [0032] Vigor.—Vigorous. [0033] Size of 6-year-old plant: [0034] A. Height.—From soil level to top of plant, about 84 inches. [0035] B. Width (at widest portion).—About 65 inches. [0036] C. Ratio (h:w).—About 1.3. [0037] Branch/stem (terminal tuft): [0038] A. Quantity.—Numerous, with an average of about 20 main branches and about 30-30 lateral branches per main branch. [0039] B. Length.—About 10-20 cm. [0040] C. Base diameter.—About 2 mm at about 15 cm from tip. [0041] D. Branch angle.—About 55-65° from center. [0042] E: Odor (of bruised stem).—None detected. [0043] F. Internode length.—About 5-20 mm. [0044] G: Color (RHS).—Upper side — Grey-Brown N199B; lower side — Yellow-Green 144A. [0045] H: Strength of lateral branches.—Strong. [0046] I: Texture/pubescence.—Moderately hispid. [0047] J: Shape.—Ridged, 5-sided. [0048] Leaf: [0049] A. Leaf type.—Simple. [0050] B. Color (RHS).—upper surface — emerging leaves are grayish-red (closest to RHS. Purple 77A); mature leaves are Yellow-Green 147A. lower surface — emerging leaves are Purple 77A; mature leaves are Yellow-Green 146B. [0051] C. Mature size (L×W).—About 5-5.5 cm×about 2-2.5 cm; ratio (L:W) — about 2.3. [0052] D. Apex.—Acute. [0053] E. Base.—Cuneate. [0054] F. Margin.—Serrulate, wavy (undulating). [0055] G. Shape.—Elliptical; broader at upper ⅔ of leaf. [0056] H. Lobes.—Absent. [0057] I. Pubescence.—Smooth, no pubescence. [0058] J. Arrangement on stem.—Alternate. [0059] K. Venation.—Pinnate; upper color — Green 138B; lower color — Yellow green 145B. [0060] L. Texture.—Leathery. [0061] M. Odor when crushed.—None detected. [0062] N. Aspect.—About 55-65°. [0063] O. Leaf number.—Average of about 1.0 per cm/stem. [0064] Petiole: [0065] A. Length.—About 7-8 mm. [0066] B. Shape.—Oval. [0067] C. Color.—Upper surface is Brown 200A; lower surface is Yellow-Green N146D. [0068] D. Texture/pubescence.—Moderately hispid. [0069] E. Diameter.—About 1 mm. [0070] Inflorescence: [0071] A. Type.—Solitary in clusters of 1 or 2; dioecious. [0072] B. Peduncle.—Color — Yellow Green 144A. [0073] C. Size.—Height — about 5-6 mm; diameter — about 14-18 mm. [0074] Flower: [0075] A. Number per inflorescence/stem.—1 female. [0076] B. Axillary or terminal.—Axillary. [0077] C. Symmetry.—Regular. [0078] D. Size (L×W).—About 3 mm by about 4 mm. [0079] E. Fragrance.—None detected. [0080] F. Bud.—Size (L×W) — about 3 mm by about 2 mm; shape — oval; color: Yellow Green 145C; texture/pubescence — smooth, no pubescence. [0081] G. Petals.—Number — 4; size (L×W) — about 3 mm×about 2.5 mm; shape — obovate; apex — round; base — truncate; margin — smooth, entire; color at peak bloom — Yellow Green 150D for both upper and lower surfaces; texture — smooth, no pubescence; arrangement — symmetrical. [0082] H. Pedicels.—Color — Yellow Green 144A; texture/pubescence — moderately heavy pubescence; length — about 5 mm; aspect — erect; strength — strong. [0083] I. Sepals.—Number — about 4; size (L×W) — about 1.5×1.5 mm; shape — acuminate; texture/pubescence — no pubescence; color — Yellow Green 144A. [0084] J. Stamens.—Number — about 4, about 1-2.5 mm long, non-functional; anther — missing; no pollen. [0085] K. Pistils.—a. number — about 4. b. stigma — hastate, Greyed-Orange 177D with White 155D along, smooth texture, no pubescence. c. style — about 1×0.5 mm (L×W), White 155D, smooth texture, no pubescence. d. ovary — about 2×2 mm (L×W), Yellow Green 144A, smooth texture, no pubescence, position is hypogynous. [0086] Fruit: [0087] A. Type.—Berry-like drupe. [0088] B. Immature fruit.—Size (L×W) — about 3 mm by about 3 mm; smooth texture; color — Yellow Green 144A. [0089] C. Mature fruit.—Size (L×W) — about −4-5 mm by about 4-5 mm; smooth texture; color — Black 202A. [0090] Seed: [0091] A. Number per fruit.—About 4. [0092] B. Size (L×W): about 5 mm by about 3 mm. [0093] C. Color.—Greyed Orange 165D. [0094] Weather/temperature tolerance: Not fully determined. Plants of the new Ilex have been grown in USDA zone 8a. Ancestor species (I. crenata and I. maximowicziana) have survived down to −5° F. with no damage in Blairsville, Ga. Parent species Ilex viridis shows foliar yellowing (photoinhibition) in the winter in Watkinsville, Ga. [0095] Disease/pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Ilex have not been observed to have notable disease/pest resistance as compared to other Ilex cultivars grown under similar conditions.