Juniper plant named ‘RLH-SS1PI’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Juniper plant named RLH-SS1PI, characterized by its relatively compact and upright narrowly pyramidal plant form; freely branching habit requiring minimal pruning; dense and bushy appearance; lateral branches that are flexible and resist breakage and splitting; leaves that maintain their bluish green color throughout the seasons; and good landscape performance.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Juniper plant named RLH-SS1PI as illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new Juniper plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Juniper plant.

(2) The photograph is a side perspective view of a typical plant of RLH-SS1PI grown in an outdoor nursery.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(3) Plants used for the aforementioned photograph and following observations and measurements were grown during the summer in ground beds in an outdoor nursery in Seneca, S.C. Plants were grown under partial to full sunlight conditions and cultural practices typical of commercial Juniper plant production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 5 C. to 45 C. and night temperatures ranged from 25 C. to 35 C. Plants were 16 years old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Botanical classification: Juniperus silicicola RLH-SS1PI. Parentage: Female, or seed, parent.Juniperus silicicola MBSC-1, not patented. Male, or pollen, parent.Unknown selection of Juniperus silicicola, not patented. Propagation: Type.By semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. Time to initiate roots.About 45 to 90 days at temperatures about 8 C. to 17 C. Time to produce a rooted cutting.About 120 to 180 days at temperatures about 8 C. to 17 C. Root description.Thick to thin; coarse, fibrous and cord-like; initially white, close to 155C becoming closer to 165C to 165D with development; 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; medium density. Plant description: Plant form and growth habit.Perennial evergreen conifer tree; relatively compact and upright narrowly pyramidal plant form; moderate growth rate and good plant vigor. Branching habit.Freely branching habit requiring minimal pruning; dense and bushy appearance; lateral branches are flexible and resist breakage and splitting. Plant height.About 6.8 meters. Plant diameter.About 2.5 meters. Lateral branch description.Length: About 1.5 cm to 10.5 cm. Diameter: About 0.8 mm to 2.3 cm. Internode length: About 2 mm to 8 mm. Strength: Strong, flexible. Aspect: Upright to outwardly. Texture: Four-sided, glabrous. Strength: Strong. Color, developing: Close to 136C. Color, mature: Close to 165A. Leaf description.Arrangement: Opposite to whorled; simple; sessile. Length: About 1 mm to 2.2 mm. Width: About 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Shape: Scale-like. Apex: Minutely aristulate, blunt. Base: Broad, flat. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; soft to the touch. Venation pattern: Parallel. Color: Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 133C to 133D. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 133D. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 133C to 133D; venation, close to 133C to 133D; leaf color is maintained throughout the seasons. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 133C; venation, close to 133C; leaf color is maintained throughout the seasons. Cone description.Quantity: About 25% of the branchlets produce a single small male cone. Time of development: Cones develop during the late autumn to winter and release pollen from mid-winter to late winter. Length: About 1 mm to 4 mm. Diameter: About 0.8 mm to 1.8 mm. Color: Close to N167B. Stamen quantity: About three to six. Filament length: About 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. Filament color: Close to N167B. Anther length: About 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. Anther shape: Oval to rounded. Anther color: Close to N167B. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 19C. Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Juniper have been observed to have tolerance to Juniper Twig Blight (Phomopsis juniperovora). Plants of the new Juniper have not been noted to be resistant to pests or other pathogens common to Juniper plants. Landscape performance: Plants of the new Juniper have been observed to have good landscape performance and to be tolerant to dry conditions, high humidity and temperatures ranging from about 30 C. to about 45 C.