<i>Rhododendron </i>plant named ‘NCRX2’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named NCRX2 is disclosed, characterized by profuse pink/lavender flowers. Plants have a compact habit, and dark purple winter foliage. The new cultivar is a Rhododendron, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named NCRX2 as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) NCRX2 is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's form, foliage, and inflorescences. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. 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 hybrid Rhododendron.

(2) FIG. 1 shows the form and flowers of 4-year-old plant of NCRX2 growing in Arden, N.C. on Mar. 31, 2018.

(3) FIG. 2 shows the foliage and flowers of 4-year-old plant of NCRX2 growing in Arden, N.C. on Mar. 31, 2018.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a close up view of individual flowers of 4-year-old plant of NCRX2 growing in Arden, N.C. on Mar. 31, 2018.

(5) FIG. 4 shows the winter foliage color from 4-year-old plant of NCRX2 growing in Mills River, N.C. on Jan. 15, 2018.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(6) The following is a detailed description of the botanical characteristics of the new and distinct hybrid rhododendron known by the denomination NCRX2. The detailed description was taken of 4-year-old plants growing Mills River, N.C. For each measurable character, ten random measurements were recorded and used to derive averages and characteristic ranges. All colors cited herein refer to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2015 Edition. Where specific dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are described, it is to be understood that these descriptions are approximations for variable characters that are labile and may change as a result of environment and growing conditions. Botanical classification: Rhododendron hybrida NCRX2. Propagation: Typically by firm softwood cuttings.

PLANT

(7) Plant type: Broad-leaf evergreen shrub. Growth habit: Well-branched, rounded. Height: 1 m. Width: 1 m. Growth rate: Moderate. Roots: Fibrous. Shoots (new growth): Shape.Rounded. Color.RHS Yellow-Green 144C which fades to Yellow-Green 144D at tips. Texture.Glandular; older growth sees a reduction in visible glands. Pubescence.Glabrous. Shoot diameter.Average 2.2 mm. Shoot length.Average 7.2 cm. Stem aspect.Stems are held upright, often at a 45 angle from the branch. Shoots (mature growth): Shape.Rounded. Color.Predominantly RHS Greyed-Orange 165B. Texture.Smooth. Pubescence.None. Length.Average 17.1 cm. Diameter.Average 2.0 mm. Branching (mature growth): Shape.Rounded. Color.Between RHS Greyed-Orange 164B and 166A. Texture.Smooth. Pubescence.None. Branch diameter.Average 5.0 mm. Branch length.Average 28.6 cm. Branching.Generally branches at terminal flowering points; branches arch upwards. Branch aspect.Lower branches are held at approximately 90 angles; upper branches decrease in angle to approximately 45. Trunk (at soil line): Shape.Round. Color.Mix of RHS Grey-Brown N200B and RHS Greyed-Orange 177D. Exposed epidermis visible through exfoliation is often near Greyed-Orange 177D. Texture.Exfoliates. Pubescence.None. Age of plant described: Approximately 4 years.

FOLIAGE

(8) Leaf: Type.Simple, lepidote. Arrangement.Alternate. Persistence.Evergreen to semi-evergreen. Division.Entire. Shape.Elliptic; occasionally ovate. Orientation.Leaves are held approximately 45-90 from the stem. Aspect.Leaves are held flat, parallel to the ground. Apex.Broadly acute; occasionally rounded or broadly acuminate, especially emerging leaves. Base.Cuneate. Margin.Entire. Venation.Reticulate. Color.Immature leaf, upper surface: Mix of RHS Yellow-Green 143A and Yellow-Green 144A. Surface.Glabrous. Immature leaf lower surface: RHS Green 138B to Yellow-Green 145B. Surface.Highly glandular. Mature leaf: Length.Average 6.6 cm. Width.Average 3.5 cm. Summer color.Upper surface: Near RHS Green NN137A. Surface.Glabrous. Lower surface: Between RHS Yellow-Green 148A and 148B. Surface.Glandular. Fall/winter color.Upper surface: Variable, ranging from RHS Green NN137A, to Greyed-Purple N186C, 187A, 187B and 185A in some instances deepening into 186A. Lower surface: RHS Yellow-Green 152A. Petiole: Shape.Rounded with a flattened adaxial side. Length.Average 10 mm. Diameter.Average 1.3 mm. Texture.Pubescent. Color.Near RHS Greyed-Orange 177A.

FLOWER

(9) Inflorescence: Type.Congested terminal raceme (truss). Fragrance.Very slight. Inflorescence/truss measurements at anthesis.Length: Average 7.5 cm. Width: Average 10.8 cm. Flowering season.Early to Mid-April (in Zone 6B). Flower number and consistency.Plants flower each year consistently. Inflorescences are typically present on most primary terminal shoots. Flowers per inflorescence.Variable, ranging from 3-12; lower branches often have fewer flowers. Longevity of flowers.Flowers persist for several weeks. Self-cleaning or persistent.Self-cleaning. Flowers: Expanding buds.Shape: Obovate to elliptic. Length: Average 31.0 mm. Diameter (at widest point): Average 9.9 mm. Color: Varies between and includes RHS Red-Purple 72D and RHS Purple N74B. Bud scales: Present. Perianth (at anthesis).Depth: Average 4.0 cm. Width (at widest point): Average 4.9 cm. Height: Average 5.0 cm. Petal number: 5. Aspect: Individual flowers are held at near 90 angles at the base of the inflorescence; the angle decreases, and flowers are held more upright (towards 45 angles) along the peduncle towards the inflorescence apex. Shape: Elliptical, rounded petals fuse approximately at the halfway point and spread open resulting in a tubular, trumpet-like corolla; edges are slightly ruffled. Attachment: Pedicellate. Petals: Length.Average 3.8 cm. Width.Average 21.6 mm. Petal shape.Elliptic. Apex.Rounded. Base.Fused. Margin.Entire. Fused or unfused.Fused. Color (at anthesis).Upper surface: RHS Red-Purple N74D to N74B. Surface: Glabrous. Blotch: RHS Red-Purple 71B and Red-Purple N66B. Length: Average 1.5 cm. Width: Average 1.6 cm. Lower surface: RHS Red-Purple N74D to N74B. Surface: Glabrous, with the presence of small white glands approximately 0.25 mm in diameter. Calyx/receptacle: Shape.Lobed; sepals highly reduced. Arrangement.Whorled. Diameter.Average 3.8 mm. Depth.Average 2.19 mm. Apex.Broad acute. Margin.Entire. Surface.Glandular with fine, translucent pubescence at petal union. Sepal width.Average 2.3 mm. Sepal depth.Average 1.7 mm. Peduncles: Shape.Rounded. Length.Average range about 3 to 5 cm from closest leaf. Diameter.Average 4 to 5 mm. Color.Near RHS Greyed-Orange 166B. Surface.Smooth. Pedicels: Shape.Rounded. Length.Average 11.3 mm. Diameter.Average 1.1 mm. Color.RHS Red 48B mixed with Yellow-Green 145C. 145C coloration becomes more pronounced where the pedicel and peduncle meet. Surface.Highly glandular.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Gynoecium: Pistil number.1. Pistil length.Average 3.7 cm. Pistil diameter.Average 1.4 mm. Stigma shape.Flattened; ovoid. Stigma diameter.Average 1.2 mm. Style color.RHS Red-Purple 59A. Ovary diameter.Average 2.2 mm. Ovary length.Average 4.1 mm. Ovary color.RHS Green 139C. Androecium: Stamen number.10. Anther shape.Ovoid with two apical pores. Anther attachment.Dorsifixed. Anther length.Average 2.0 mm. Anther width.Average 0.9 mm. Anther color.RHS Purple N77C. Filament length.Stamens are pentadynamous. Long stamens.Average 33.3 mm. Short stamens.Average 24.4 mm. Filament diameter.Average 0.4 mm. Filament color.Ranges between RHS Purple 75D and 75C, to Red-Purple 69D at base. Filaments are pubescent at base. Amount of pollen.Present, but very little produced. Pollen type.Threadlike, vicinate. Pollen color.RHS Purple 75C to 75D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Rhododendron. Temperature tolerance: Has been reliably cold hardy in USDA 6A. Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.