<i>Taxus </i>plant named ‘SMNTHDPF’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Taxus plant named SMNTHDPF, characterized by its upright and columnar plant form; freely branching habit requiring minimal pruning; dense and bushy appearance; bright green-colored leaves that maintain color throughout the seasons; and good landscape performance and hardiness.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Taxus plant named SMNTHDPF as illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Taxus plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. 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 Taxus plant.

(2) The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 of 2) is a side perspective view of typical plants of SMNTHDPF grown in containers in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse environment in Grand Haven, Mich.; plants used in the photograph were two years old.

(3) The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 of 2) is a side perspective view of a typical plant of SMNTHDPF grown in an outdoor nursery in Grand Haven, Mich.; the plant used for the photograph was five years old.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) Plants used for the following observations and measurements were grown during the summer in one-gallon containers in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich. Plants were grown under cultural practices typical of commercial Taxus plant production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 18 C. to 27 C. and night temperatures ranged from 5 C. to 10 C. Plants were two years old when the description was taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Botanical classification: Taxus x media SMNTHDPF. Parentage: Female, or seed, parent.Taxus x media Hicksii, not patented. Male, or pollen, parent.Unknown selection of Taxus x media, not patented. Propagation: Type.By softwood stem cuttings. Time to initiate roots.About one month at temperatures about 10 C. Time to produce a rooted cutting.About three months at temperatures about 10 C. Root description.Thick, fibrous; typically white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots. Rooting habit.Freely branching; dense. Plant description: Plant form and growth habit.Perennial evergreen shrub; relatively compact, upright and columnar plant form; moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate. Branching habit.Freely branching habit requiring minimal pruning; dense and bushy appearance; about ten lateral branches developing per plant. Plant height.About 55 cm. Plant diameter.About 18 cm. Lateral branch description.Length: About 37 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Internode length: About 1 cm. Strength: Strong, flexible. Aspect: Erect to about 15 from vertical. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color, developing: Close to 143A. Color, mature: Close to 174B. Leaf description.Arrangement: Alternate, simple. Length: About 2.5 cm. Width: About 3 mm. Shape: Acicular. Apex: Cuspidate. Base: Oblique. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Venation pattern: Parallel. Color: Developing leaves, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144C. Fully expanded leaves, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 143A; venation, close to 143A; leaf color is maintained throughout the seasons. Petioles: Length: About 1 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 143A. Flower description.To date, flower development has not been observed on plants of the new Taxus. Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Taxus have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens or pests common to Taxus plants. Landscape performance: Plants of the new Taxus have been observed to have good landscape performance and to be tolerant temperatures ranging from about 32 C. to about 36 C.