Gardenia plant named ‘PARWHI’

Abstract

A new and distinct Gardenia cultivar named PARWHI is disclosed, characterized by distinctive compact, semi-erect plant habit. Flowers produced by the new variety have numerous petals, forming a semi-double flower. The new cultivar is a Gardenia, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gardenia plant named PARWHI 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 PARWHI grown outdoors in Kulnura, Australia.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a close up of a typical flower of the new variety. The plant is approximately 2 years old, and is shown in a 220 mm 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 PARWHI plants grown outdoors in the Summer, in Kulnura, Australia. Plants are approximately 30 months old, in 300 mm pots. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Gardenia augusta PARWHI.

PROPAGATION

(5) Typically by semi-hardwood cuttings in Spring and Summer. Time to rooting: 30-50 days at approximately 22 C. Time to produce a rooted plantlet: 100 days. Root description: Fleshy, new roots colored RHS White 155D.

PLANT

(6) Growth habit: Compact semi-erect evergreen shrub. Height: 1 meter. Plant spread: 1 meter. Branching characteristics: Well branched. Primary branches: Length.20-30 cm. Diameter.5-6 mm. Strength.Strong. Color.Dark brown. Near RHS Brown 200A. Texture.Rough. Lateral branches: Color.Near RHS 144A. Length.Average range 7-12 cm. Diameter.Approximately 3-4 mm. Aspect.Semi-erect. Texture.Medium. Strength.Strong. Internode.Average range 30-40 mm. Age of plant described: 800 days from a rooted cutting.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Type.Simple. Arrangement.Whorled. Average length.8-9 cm. Average width.38 mm. Shape of blade.Elliptic, slightly obovate. Apex.Acuminate. Base.Attenuate. Attachment.Petiolate. Margin.Entire. Leaf internode.Average range 2-3 cm. Texture of top surface.Rippled. Texture of bottom surface.Rippled. Appearance of top surface.Medium glossy. Appearance of bottom surface.Dull. Color.Young foliage upper side: Near RHS 146A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS 146C. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS 137D. Venation.Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS 137A, midrib lighter. Venation color under side: Near RHS 150D, midrib lighter. Petiole: Length.1 to 3 mm. Diameter.2 mm. Texture.Glabrous. Color.RHS Green 143C.

FLOWER

(8) Bloom period: Spring-Summer. Peduncle: Length.Average 10-15 mm. Diameter.Average 3-4 mm. Color.Near RHS 144B. Texture.Smooth. Aspect.Outward facing to upright. Strength.Strong. Flowers: Arrangement: Semi-double flowers arise from upper leaf axils. Height.Average 40-50 mm. Diameter.Average 60-90 mm. Facing direction.Outward facing to upright. Lastingness of individual flowers on plant.About 5 days. Persistent or self-cleaning.Mostly self-cleaning. Fragrance.Strong. Tube: Tube length.Approximately 15 mm. Tube width a widest point.Approximately 10 mm. Tube width and narrowest point.Approximately 4-5 mm. Petals: Unfused petal segments.Length: Approximately 30-45 mm. Width: Approximately 30-35 mm. Apex: Acute-rounded. Base: Fused at base into tube. Shape of petal: Obovate. Petal margin: Entire, with an occasional notch, frequently incurved or recurved. Petal arrangement.Rotate, overlapping. Petal number.About 16. Petal texture, upper and lower.Smooth. Color.Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS NN155C. Under surface at first opening: Near RHS NN155C. Inner surface at maturity: Near RHS 155C. Outer surface at maturity: Near RHS 155C. Upper surface at fading: Near RHS 155B. Under surface at fading: Near RHS 155B. Corolla Tube, Inner and Outer: RHS White N155C. Bud: Shape.Elliptic-lanceolate. Length.5-6 cm. Diameter.1.5 cm. Color.Near RHS N144C. Calyx/sepals: Quantity per flower.6-10. Arrangement.Whorled. Shape.Linear-lanceolate. Length.Average 25-30 mm. Width.Average 3-5 mm. Apex.Acuminate. Base.Broader than apex, fused to receptacle. Margin.Entire. Texture.Smooth. Color.Inner Surface: Near RHS 144B. Outer Surface: Near RHS 144B.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Number.Average 6, often petaloid. Length.Approximately 10 mm. Width.Approximately 1 mm. Anthers.Length: Approximately 10 mm. Width: Approximately 1 mm. Color: Near RHS 153B. Pollen Quantity and Color: Scant. Yellow-green near RHS 153B. Shape: Linear. Pistil: Number.1. Length.Approximately 10-20 mm. Style.Length: Approximately 10 mm. Color: Near RHS 158D. Stigma Shape and Color: Oval-orbicular, near RHS 155A. Ovary Shape, Size, Color: Approximately 10 mm in length, 5 mm in diameter, color near RHS 144C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of Gardenia observed. 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: 30 C. to 20 C. during the day. 15 C. to 20 C. during the night. No tolerance to drought. Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.