Rhododendron plant named ' BAILEA'

Abstract

A new and distinct Rhododendron cultivar named BAILEA is disclosed, characterized by distinctive semi-double red and red-purple flowers. Plants bloom Spring, Summer and Fall and exhibit good tolerance to environmental stressors. Plants are very well suited for performance in the landscape, including as a specimen plant or a hedge. The new cultivar is a Rhododendron, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named BAILEA as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0031] The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a 2 year old plant of the new variety in a 3 gallon pot. FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of typical flowers of the new variety. 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

[0032] 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 BAILEA plants grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala. Plants are approximately 2 years old, in a 3 gallon nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. [0033] Botanical classification: Rhododendron hybrid BAILEA. [0034] Propagation: Typically by semi-hardwood cuttings in Spring and Summer. [0035] Root description.Fine, fibrous young roots, well branched. Colored near RHS Grey-Brown 199A. [0036] Plant: [0037] Growth habit.Upright evergreen shrub. [0038] Height.Approximately 75 cm to top of foliar and flowering plane. [0039] Plant spread.Approximately 68 cm. [0040] Branching characteristics.Well branched, approximately 3 to 6 primary branches from the center of the plant. Branches occur at approximately 15 to 30 angles. Each primary branch has 4 to 8 lateral branches. [0041] Primary branches. [0042] Length of primary branches.Average range 25 to 40 cm. [0043] Diameter of primary branches.Approximately 1.0 cm. [0044] Primary branch strength.Very strong, difficult to break. [0045] Primary branch color.Near Greyed-Orange 177A, streaked 177B. [0046] Primary branch texture.Scaly, rough. [0047] Lateral branches. [0048] Number of lateral branches.Approximately 4 to 8 per primary branch. [0049] Length of lateral branches.Average range 20 to 30 cm. [0050] Diameter of lateral branches.Average 0.3 to 0.6 cm. [0051] Lateral branch strength.Very strong, flexible. [0052] Lateral branch color.New growth near RHS Greyed-Red 181A, next stage, near RHS Yellow-Green 152D; oldest branches become woody, colored near Greyed-Orange 177A. [0053] Lateral branch texture.Immature growth hirsute. Older growth scaly, hirsute. Hairs semi-appressed and colored near Greyed-Orange 175C. [0054] Internode length.Average 3.0 cm. [0055] Age of plant described.Approximately 2 years. [0056] Foliage: [0057] Leaf.Type: Simple Arrangement: Sub-opposite. Average Length: Approximately 4.7 cm. Average Width: Approximately 2.2 cm. Shape of blade: Obovate. Apex: Acute to nearly mucronate. Base: Broad attenuate. Attachment: Stalked Margin: Entire. Cilliate. Texture of top surface: Pubescent. Hairs appressed, very short, rough. Texture of bottom surface: Pubescent. Longer hairs present along main vein and margin. Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A, slightly darker Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147B. [0058] Venation.Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 151A. [0059] Petiole.Length: About 0.5 cm. Diameter: About 0.15 cm Color: Upper Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D Lower Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 151B. [0060] Flower: [0061] Bloom period.Plants begin flowering in the Spring, and continue to produce flowers throughout Summer and Fall. [0062] Flower. [0063] Arrangement.Axillary clusters of perfect, open funnel shaped individual flowers. Typically 3 to 5 flowers per cluster. [0064] Inflorescence.Height: Average 10.0 cm. Diameter: Average 12.0 cm. [0065] Peduncle.Not present, inflorescence pedicels emerge directly from node. [0066] Pedicel.Length: Average 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm. Color: Near RHS Red 53C Texture: Densely pubescent. Long, soft hairs colored near White N155B Aspect: Straight. Angle of attachment, approximately 45 angle from stem. Strength: Very sturdy and flexible. [0067] Flowers.Length: Average 4.2 cm. Diameter: Average 6.5 cm. Facing direction: Outwardly and upwardly facing. Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning Fragrance: Very faint. [0068] Tube.Tube length: Approximately 2.2 cm Tube width a widest point: Approximately 1.5 cm Tube width and narrowest point: Approximately 0.9 cm. [0069] Petals.Unfused petal segments: Length: Approximately 2.9 cm. Width: Approximately 2.7 cm Apex: Blunt, rounded. Occasionally retuse. Shape of petal: Unfused portion, obovate. Petal margin: Entire. Aspect very slightly undulating. Petal Arrangement: Overlapping, bilateral symmetry dissecting bottom petal. Petals fused approximately 1/2 distance from base. Petal Number: 5 full petals. 3 to 5 irregularly shaped and sized petaloids in center of flower. Petal Texture: Smooth. [0070] Color.Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Red-Purple 63A near margins, 63B in center. Dotted near Red-Purple 59B. Under surface at first opening: Near RHS Red-Purple 63B Inner surface at maturity: Near RHS Red 54B, 3 upper petals dotted with Red-Purple 61A Outer surface at maturity: Near RHS Red-Purple 64D Upper surface at fading: Near RHS Red 54B, 3 upper petals more heavily dotted with Red-Purple 61A Under surface at fading: Near RHS Red-Purple 62A. [0071] Bud.Shape: Elliptic Length: 5.0 cm Diameter: 1.8 cm Color: Near RHS Red-Purple N57D. [0072] Calyx/sepals.Quantity per flower: 5 sepals Shape: Narrow deltate Length: 0.7 cm Width: 0.4 cm Apex: Acute Base: Fused Margin: Entire Texture: Highly pubescent, sericeous. Color: Inner Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A, lower margin and base flushed near Red-Purple 59B. Outer Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A, lower margin and base flushed near Red-Purple 59D. [0073] Reproductive organs: [0074] Stamens.Number: 5, fused to petaloids at irregular lengths. Some stamens fully fused, with only anther unfused, some stamens 10% fused to petaloids Stamen Length: 1.8 to 2.6 cm Width: 0.1 cm Color: Near RHS Red-Purple N57A Anthers: Length: Approximately .3 cm Color: Near RHS Greyed-Yellow 61D Pollen: Not observed. [0075] Pistil.Number: 1 Length: Average range 3.9 cm to 6.0 cm. Style: Length: Average 3.5 cm to 5.6 cm. Color: Near RHS Red 53B Stigma: Globular, colored near Red 53B Ovary: Sericeous texture. Approximately 0.4 cm in diameter. Colored near Yellow-Green 145A. [0076] Other characteristics: [0077] Disease and pest resistance.Not observed to be susceptible nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Rhododendron. [0078] Temperature tolerance.Observed hardy to USDA Zone 7, potentially hardy to zone 6. [0079] Fruit/seed production.Not observed to date.