<i>Gardenia </i>plant named ‘LEESIX’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Gardenia plant named LEESIX is disclosed, characterized by uniquely profuse flowering. Foliage is narrow and glossy. Flowering will occur on a reblooming cycle Summer and Fall. Flowers are double and very fragrant. Plants are suitable for Southern climates. The new cultivar is a Gardenia, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gardenia plant named LEESIX as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a plant of LEESIX grown outdoors in Alabama.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a close up of typical flowers of the new variety. The plant is approximately 2 years old, and is shown in a three-gallon container.

(3) The photographs were 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

(4) 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 LEESIX 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: Gardenia hybrida LEESIX.

PROPAGATION

(5) Typically by semi-hardwood cuttings in Spring and Summer. Root description: Woody to semi-wood. Colored near RHS Brown 200D. Time to initiate roots: About 4 to 6 weeks in the Summer. Time to produce a rooted young plant: Approximately 12 weeks in the Summer.

PLANT

(6) Growth habit: Outwardly arching, broad globular, evergreen flowering shrub. Height: Approximately 45 cm to top of foliar and flowering plane. Plant spread: Approximately 65 cm. Branching characteristics: Well branched, approximately 6 to 8 lateral branches emerge from a pinch. Smaller lateral branches occurring along main stems. Branches occur at approximately 15 to 75 angles. Primary branches: Length of primary branches: Average 30 cm. Diameter of primary branches: Average range 8 to 12 mm. Primary branch strength: Very strong, flexible, difficult to break. Primary branch color: Near RHS Grey-Brown 199A. Primary branch texture: Rough, nearly scaly. Lateral branches. Color.New growth near RHS Green 143C. Length.Average range 5 to 25 cm. Diameter.Approximately 4 mm. Aspect.Slightly curved. Texture.Rough. Strength.Strong, flexible. Internode.Average range 2.0 cm to 4.0 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 years.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Type.Simple. Arrangement.Opposite. Average length.Approximately 4.7 cm. Average width.Approximately 1.5 cm. Shape of blade.Elliptic. Apex.Acute. Base.Broad attenuate. Attachment.Sessile. Margin.Entire. Internode.Average 2.5 cm. Texture of top surface.Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.Glabrous. Appearance of top surface.Glossy. Appearance of bottom surface.Matte. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 143C. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Venation.Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Green 138A. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D.

FLOWER

(8) Bloom period: Plants flower in the Spring, then begin intermittent flowering cycles in late Spring/Summer through Fall. Inflorescence: Arrangement.Double rotate flowers arise from upper leaf axils. Peduncle: Length.Average 5 mm. Diameter.3 mm. Color.Near RHS Green 143A. Texture.Pubescent. Aspect.Straight. Angle of attachment, approximately 15 angle from stem. Strength.Moderately strong and flexible. Flowers: Arrangement.Double rotate flowers arise from upper leaf axils. Length.Average 3.5 cm. Diameter.Average 6.5 cm. Facing direction.Outwardly and upwardly facing. Persistent or self-cleaning.Flowers persist until completely dried up, then fall off. Fragrance.Very strong, sweet fragrance. Tube: Tube length.Approximately 2.0 cm. Tube width a widest point.Approximately 6 mm. Tube width and narrowest point.Approximately 3 mm. Petals: Unfused petal segments: Length.Outer whorl: Approximately 1.9 to 2.8 cm. Inner whorl: Approximately 1.0 to 1.5 cm. Width.Outer whorl: Approximately 1.0 cm. Inner whorl: Approximately 1.2 cm. Apex.Rounded. Base.Fused at base into tube. Shape of petal.Outer whorl: Unfused portion, spatulate. Inner whorl: Unfused portion, irregular orbicular. Petal margin.Entire. Petal arrangement.Rotate, outer whorl not overlapping, inner whorl overlapping. Petal number.6 outer whorl petals. 8 to 10 inner whorl petals. Petal texture.Smooth, upper and lower surfaces. Color.Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS White 155C. Under surface at first opening: Near RHS White 155C. Inner surface at maturity: Near RHS White 155C. Outer surface at maturity: Near RHS White 155C. Upper surface at fading: Near RHS White 155C. Under surface at fading: Near RHS White 155C. Bud: Shape.Elliptic. Length.1.8 cm. Diameter.1.0 cm. Color.Near RHS White 155C swirled Yellow-Green 145B. Calyx/sepals: Quantity per flower.6 sepals. Arrangement.Rotate. Shape.Narrow deltate, base fused. Length.Average 1.1 cm. Width.3 mm. Apex.Acute. Base.Fused. Margin.Entire. Texture.Very slightly pubescent all surfaces. Color.Inner Surface: Near RHS Green 143B. Outer Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Number.6. Length.1. Width.1 mm. Anthers.Anthers reflexed back, and attached to petals. Length: Approximately 6 mm. Width: Approximately 1 mm. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Orange N167B. Pollen: Scant, colored near Greyed-Orange 164D. Shape: Linear. Pistil: Number.1. Length.3.2 cm. Style.Length: 2.5 cm. Color: Near RHS White 155A. Stigma.4 lobed globular, colored near 158A. Ovary.Approximately 3 mm in diameter, 4 mm long. Colored near Green-White 157A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Disease and pest resistance: Observed to be less susceptible to normal diseases and pests of Gardenia hybrida. Typical diseases of Gardenia include Erysiphe polygoni, and Phomopsis gardenia. Pests include the nematode Meloidogyne spp., white fly Dialeurodes citri and various scales, including Ceroplastes japonicas, Icerya purchase, Fiorinia theae, Hemiberlesia rapax and Aspidiotus nerii. Temperature tolerance: USDA Zone 7 to 10. Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.