Gardenia plant named '4KIMYMJ01'

Abstract

A new and distinct gardenia plant named 4KIMYMJ01 particularly distinguished by flowers that are double-flowered with early flowering and increased flower production, dense compact branching habit with compact, dark green leaves, uniform, compact and mounding growth habit under standard production practices and increased tolerance to root diseases, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of gardenia plant named 4KIMYMJ01, substantially as illustrated and described herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0013] This new gardenia is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including flowers and foliage of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of 3.6, 4 and 8-year-old plants grown in the ground and in 3-gallon containers in Dearing, Ga. The photographs were taken in May 2017 in Dearing Ga. under natural light and natural shade. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the botanical description which accurately describes the colors of the new variety.

[0014] FIG. 1. shows the original seedling and its overall habit, including flowers and foliage.

[0015] FIG. 2. shows a 3.6-year-old container grown plant.

[0016] FIG. 3. shows typical foliage and flower buds.

[0017] FIG. 4. shows a view of a typical mature flower.

[0018] FIG. 5. shows flower forms with various reproductive structures present.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0019] In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, Sixth Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

[0020] The following observations and measurements describe plants grown in the ground and in 3-gallon containers when grown outdoors under a natural photoperiod in full sun in Dearing, Ga. Detailed descriptions were taken in 2016 and 2017 from approximately 3-year-old plants grown from single vegetative semi-softwood stem cuttings. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0021] Classification: [0022] Family.Rubiaceae. [0023] Botanical.Gardenia jasminoides. [0024] Common.Gardenia. [0025] Denomination.4KIMYMJ01. [0026] Parentage: [0027] Female or seed parent.Gardenia jasminoides plant Frostproof (unpatented). [0028] Male or pollen parent.Unknown. [0029] Propagation: [0030] Type.Vegetative semi-softwood stem cuttings. [0031] Time to initiate roots.14 to 21 days. [0032] Time to produce a rooted young plant.5 to 6 months, a cutting placed in rooting media in approximately September to October will be rooted and ready to pot in approximately February to March the following year, rooting time is shorter during warmer months. [0033] Root description: Fibrous. [0034] Plant description: [0035] Plant type.Evergreen shrub. [0036] Growth habit.Compact, mounding. [0037] Height.58.0 cm after 4 years of growth and 78.0 cm after 8 years of growth. [0038] Plant spread.62.0 cm after 4 years of growth and 87.0 cm after 8 years of growth. [0039] Growth rate.11.0 cm to 18.0 cm per year depending on environmental conditions and plant's age, growth rate slows as plants mature. [0040] Plant vigor.Vigorous when young, vigor slows as plants mature. [0041] Branching habit.Freely branching. [0042] Primary branches (one year or older).Length: 18.0 cm per year. Diameter: 0.5 cm at one year of age. Strength: Pliable during the first year's growth and becoming stiff the second year. Color: Mature branches: Grey-brown, N199B and 199D. Young branches: Brown, 200D with areas of yellow-green, 144A. Texture: Exfoliating, no pubescence. [0043] Lateral branches (less than one year old).Length: 5.3 cm per flush. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Strength: Flexible. Aspect: 10 to 45 degree angles. Texture: Setulose pubescence. Color: Immature branches are yellow-green, 144B, and aging to yellow-green, 144A, and funny maturing to yellow-green, N148A. Internode length: 1.68 cm. [0044] Foliage description: [0045] Leaf type.Simple. [0046] Leaf arrangement.Primarily opposite with some whorled leaves, 2 to 3 per node. [0047] Average mature leaf size.Length: 3.48 cm. Width: 1.14 cm. [0048] Mature leaf shape.Oblanceolate. [0049] Leaf apex.Acute to acuminate. [0050] Leaf base.Attenuate to crunate. [0051] Leaf attachment.Petiolate with persistent sheathing stipules at the apex of the node. [0052] Leaf margin.Entire. [0053] Internode length.1.72 cm. [0054] Leaf texture.Upper surface: Glabrous, waxy. Bottom surface: Glabrous. [0055] Leaf color.Young leaves: Upper surface: Yellow-green, 146A. Lower surface: Green, 139D. Mature leaves: Upper surface: Green, 139A. Lower surface: Green, 138B. [0056] Leaf venation.Type: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: Yellow-green, 144A. Lower surface: Yellow-green, 144C. [0057] Flower description: [0058] Bloom period.Primary bloom period is typically May through mid-May in Dearing, Ga., blooming occurs sporadically through summer and into fall. [0059] Type.Perfect flower, complete and near complete. [0060] Arrangement.Solitary flower at apex of stems and occasionally at leaf axils. [0061] Peduncle.Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Color: Yellow-green, 144A. Texture: Glabrous. Strength: Slightly pliable, breakable with force. [0062] Height (depth).5.0 cm from attachment to the stem. [0063] Diameter.6.0 cm by 6.5 cm. [0064] Facing direction.Outward. [0065] Persistence.Self-cleaning. [0066] Fragrance.Sweet fragrance typical of gardenia flowers. [0067] Flower tube.Length: 2.0 cm. Width at widest point: 1.0 cm. Width at narrowest point: 0.4 cm. Texture: Setulose pubescence on the outside surface. [0068] Petals.Arrangement: 2 rows of petals with 1 row of petaloids. Length: Outer row: 2.5 cm. Second row: 2.3 cm. Third row: Petaloids measuring up to 2.1 cm in length from point of fusion with the flower tube with smaller, irregular petaloids present. Width: Outer row: 1.5 cm. Second row: 1.6 cm. Third row: Petaloids measuring up to 1.6 cm with smaller, irregular petaloids present. Apex: Unevenly rounded. Base: Fused tube. Shape: Obovate. Margin: Entire, undulating with some overlap. Quantity: 5 to 6 per row. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Outer surface at maturity: White, NN155D, with a strip on the outer petals of yellow-green, 150B. Inner surface at maturity: White, NN155D and 155C, and yellow-green, 145B. Upper surface at fading: Yellow, 10D. Lower surface at fading: Close to white, 155C. [0069] Buds.Shape: Oblong. Length: 4.1 cm. Diameter: 1.25 cm. Color: Green, 143C. Texture: Glaborous on the swollen area of the petals, lanulose and setulose pubescence on the tube area of the bud. [0070] Calyx/sepals.Quantity of sepals per flower: 5 to 6. Calyx arrangement: Star-shaped. Sepal shape: Lanceolate and fused to the base. Length: Calyx is 1.0 cm with sepals extending 1.5 cm beyond calyx. Width: 0.8 cm at the base of the flower tube. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth. Color (both inner and outer surfaces): Yellow-green at the apex, 144C, and yellow-green at the base, 144A. [0071] Reproductive organs: [0072] Stamens.Quantity: Varying in presence, 0 to 6 with 5 to 6 petaloid stamens most commonly present. Length: 2.1 cm. Width: 1.6 cm. Anthers: Aspect: Curving and fused with the petaloids. Length: Approximately 1.0 cm. Width: 0.2 cm. Color: Grey-brown, N199D. Pollen: Amount: Moderate. Color: Yellow, 6D. [0073] Pistils.Quantity: 1 per flower. Length: 4.0 cm. Style: Length: 2.8 cm. Color: White, NN155A. Stigma: Shape: Obovate with 3 to 4 irregular shaped lobes, stigma measure 0.7 cm in length by 0.5 cm in width. Color: Yellow, 5C. Ovary: Type: Inferior within calyx cup. Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.7 cm. [0074] Cold tolerance: Hardy to USDA zone 7 with current evaluations of cold hardiness in USDA zone 6. [0075] Disease and pest tolerance: Tolerance to root diseases has been observed, but not under controlled conditions. Susceptible to insect pests common to gardenia, such as scale and whitefly. [0076] Fruit and seed set: None observed. [0077] Drought tolerance: Tolerance to periodic drought stress has been observed in container grown plants.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL VARIETIES

[0078] 4KIMYMJ01 differs from the female parent plant Frostproof (unpatented) in that 4KIMYMJ01 has a denser and more compact branching habit than Frostproof. Additionally, 4KIMYMJ01 has more rounded and darker green foliage than Frostproof.

COMPARISON WITH KNOWN CULTIVARS

[0079] 4KIMYMJ01 differs from the commercial gardenia variety Double Mint (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,507) in that 4KIMYMJ01 has a more compact growth habit with plants measuring 58.0 cm by 62.0 cm after 4 years of growth, whereas plants of Double Mint measure 68.0 cm by 70.0 cm after 4 years of growth. Additionally, when compared to Double Mint, 4KIMYMJ01 has denser internode spacing of 1.68 cm, whereas Double mint has an internode spacing of 2.3 cm. Furthermore 4KIMYMJ01 an improved production consistency under a production setting in Dearing, Ga.

[0080] When compared to the commercial gardenia variety Radicans (unpatented), 4KIMYMJ01 has a more upright, mounded growth habit and more rounded foliage, whereas Radicans has a more low spreading growth habit. Additionally, when compared to Radicans, 4KIMYMJ01 has an improved production consistency under a production setting in Dearing, Ga.

[0081] When compared to the commercial gardenia variety August Beauty (unpatented) 4KIMYMJ01 blooms on average 2 weeks earlier than August Beauty.