<i>Loropetalum </i>plant named ‘LRD-02-20’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Loropetalum plant named ‘LRD-02-20’ is disclosed, characterized by its compact, mounded, spreading growth habit; dark black-purple foliage color that persists through summer and winter; dark pink (almost red) flowers in spring; and improved cold hardiness compared to other compact purple-leaf cultivars. The new variety is a Loropetalum, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Loropetalum plant named ‘LRD-02-20’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying illustrations show characteristics of the new cultivar in photographs as true to color as is reasonably possible to make in illustrations of this nature. 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 Loropetalum.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates the growth habit of a ‘LRD-02-20’ plant growing in a 2-gallon container.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up of the foliage of ‘LRD-02-20’.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up of the flowers of ‘LRD-02-20’. Plants are approximately 1.5 years old.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) 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. Plants used for the description were approximately 2 years old and were grown in a container under outdoor conditions in Watkinsville, Ga. Colors are described using the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). Botanical classification: Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘LRD-02-20’.

PROPAGATION

(6) Type of propagation typically used: Vegetative terminal cuttings. Time to initiate roots: About 35 days at 32° C. in summer. Number of days to produce a rooted plant in summer: 110 days at 27° C. Root description: Numerous, fine, fibrous and well-branched. Color: RHS Purple N77B.

PLANT

(7) Type of plant: Flowering shrub. Age of plant described: 2 years old. Container size of the plant described: 22.73 liters. Growth habit: Compact, mounded, spreading. Freely branching; pruning enhances lateral branch development. Height: 41 cm. Plant spread: 72 cm. First year stems: Length.—20 to 25 cm. Diameter.—About 1.5 mm. Shape.—Round. Color.—RHS Red-brown N177B. Pubescence.—Heavily stellate. Second year stems: Length.—30 to 35 cm. Diameter.—3 mm or more. Shape.—Round. Color.—RHS Brown N200A. Pubescence.—None. Trunk/main stem diameter: About 2.8 cm at the soil line. Trunk/main stem color: RHS Brown N199B. Strength: Flexible when young, more easily broken when mature. Bark: Exfoliates in flakes beginning on second year stems. Internode length: About 1.5 cm. Vegetative buds: Arrangement.—Alternate, imbricate. Length.—About 1 mm. Width.—About 1 mm. Color.—RHS Red 187A. Pubescence.—Stellate.

FOLIAGE

(8) Leaf: Arrangement.—Alternate, simple. Average length.—2.8 cm. Average width.—1.5 cm. Shape of blade.—Ovate, rounded. Apex.—Pointed. Base.—Oblique. Margin.—Finely-toothed. Texture of top surface.—Stellate or sandpaper-like pubescence. Texture of bottom surface.—Stellate or sandpaper-like pubescence. Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Purplish-Pink N186C. Young foliage under side: RHS Purple N77B. Mature foliage upper side: RHS Purplish-Pink N186B. Mature foliage under side: RHS Purplish-Pink N187B. Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color, young foliage, upper side: RHS Purplish-Pink N186C. Color, young foliage, under side: RHS Purple N77B. Color, mature foliage upper side: RHS Purplish-Pink N186A. Color, mature foliage under side: RHS Purple N77C. Petiole.—Length: 3.5 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color: RHS Purplish-Pink N186C. Pubescence: Stellate.

FLOWER

(9) Natural flowering season: Flowers are produced in April in Watkinsville, Ga., and sporadically until frost. An inflorescence is showy for about two weeks, and individual flowers last about 2 to 3 days. Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Umbel produced terminally and from leaf axils. Inflorescence shape: 4 to 5 strap-like petals forming a loose funnel. Quantity of florets per inflorescence: 4 to 8. Persistence: Self-Cleaning. Fragrance: None. Flower buds: Arrangement.—4 to 8 flowers from globose heads on branchlet terminals. Shape.—Orbicular. Length.—4 mm. Diameter.—2 mm. Color.—RHS Red 185B. Petals: Quantity per flower.—4. Shape.—Strap-shaped. Margin.—Entire. Texture.—Smooth. Length.—1.2 cm. Width.—1.5 mm. Apex.—Acuminate. Base.—Obtuse. Color.—Upper surface: RHS Purple-Red 60D. Lower surface: RHS Purple-Red 60D. Sepals: Quantity per flower.—4. Texture.—Pubescent. Arrangement.—Opposite. Shape.—Ovate. Length.—0.32 cm. Width.—0.2 cm. Apex.—Acute to obtuse turning outward. Base.—Fused onto calyx cup. Margin.—Entire. Color.—Upper side: RHS Purple-Red 64A. Under side: RHS Purple-Red 59A. Peduncle: Length.—About 8 mm. Diameter.—About 1 mm. Texture.—Stellate. Color.—RHS Purplish-Pink N186C. Calyx: Length.—About 3.5 mm. Diameter.—About 2 mm. Color.—RHS Purplish-Pink 185B, both surfaces. Pubescence.—Stellate.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Stamens: Number.—4 or 5. Length.—1.5 mm. Width.—0.3 mm. Color.—RHS Red-Purple N77A. Pollen.—Amount: Scant. Color: RHS Pale Yellow 158A. Pistil: Number.—1 or 2 inferior pistils per flower. Length.—Approximately 2 mm. Color.—RHS Purplish-Red 71A. Style.—Length: 1 mm. Color: RHS Purplish-Red 71A. Stigma.—Shape: Rounded. Color: RHS Purplish-Red 71A. Ovary: Length: 1 mm. Width: 1 mm. Color: RHS Purple 80A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Temperature tolerance: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2012): Zone 7 to 9. Fruits and seeds: Not observed to date. Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the claimed Lorapetalum cultivar grown in the garden have not been noted to be susceptible or resistant to pathogens and pests common to Loropetalum.