Thuja plant named ‘SMNTOBAB’

Abstract

A new and distinct Thuja cultivar named SMNTOBAB is disclosed, characterized by a dwarf plant habit with rapid growth. Plants have distinctive ball-shaped plant habit well-suited for container cultivation. Plants are very cold hardy. The new cultivar is a Thuja, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Thuja plant named SMNTOBAB as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of SMNTOBAB grown outdoors in Grand Haven, Mich. The plant is approximately 2 years old, and is shown in the ground.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a close up of typical foliage of the new variety.

(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 2015 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe SMNTOBAB plants grown outdoors in Grand Haven Mich. Plants are approximately 2-3 years old, in a 3 gallon nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Thuja occidentalis SMNTOBAB.

PROPAGATION

(5) Time to rooting: 60 to 90 days at approximately 40-50 F. Root description: Thick to fine, fibrous and fleshy, freely branching. Colored white and tan, not accurately measured with The R.H.S. Chart.

PLANT

(6) Growth habit: Dwarf, ball shaped. Height: 37 cm. Plant spread: 55 cm. Typical growth rate: Rapid. Branchlets growing on average 8 to 15 cm in a season, depending upon maturity and environmental conditions. Pinching required: Yes, minimal pinching forms a more round plant. Branching characteristics: Outwards and upwards. Length of lateral branches: 23 cm. Average number of lateral branches: About 100. Diameter of lateral branches: 5 mm. Lateral branch shape in cross section: Oval. Lateral branch texture: Rough, somewhat scaly. Lateral branch color: Brown N200C. Lateral branch strength: Very strong. Branchlet orientation.Horizontal, or nearly horizontal, (75-90 from center). Internode length: 1 cm. Trunk bark: Color.Near RHS Brown N200B. Texture.Rough, somewhat scaly.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.Alternate, overlapping scales. Shape.Scales. Average length.1.5 mm. Average width.1 mm. Apex.Acuminate. Base.Truncate. Margin.Entire. Texture of top surface.Waxy. Texture of bottom surface.Waxy. Color.Young foliage upper side: Green 139B. Young foliage under side: Green 143A. Mature foliage upper side: Green 139B. Mature foliage under side: Green 143A. Venation.Indistinguishable from leaf blade. Fragrance.None.

FLOWER

(8) Flowering not observed.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(9) Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility observed. Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought. Temperature tolerance: 29 C. to 39 C.