Aronia plant named ‘UCONNAM165’

Abstract

A new and distinct Aronia cultivar named ‘UCONNAM165’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact, dense plants maturing to approximately 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Foliage is uniquely small and very shiny, emerging with a red tinge, green throughout the Spring and Summer, turning red and orange in the Fall. Plants are very useful for landscape, with a short, controlled growth and tolerating a wide range of soil conditions. Profuse flowering. The new variety is a Aronia, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aronia plant named ‘UCONNAM165’ 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 ‘UCONNAM165’ shown in a 3 gallon commercial container overwintered in an unheated hoop house, in Mansfield, Conn.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of typical inflorescence and foliage of ‘UCONNAM165’. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 6 years.

(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 ‘UCONNAM165’ plants grown in poly house in Grand Haven, Mich., under natural lighting. Measurements were taken during April of 2015. The plants were 2-3 years old in 3 gallon containers. The growing temperature ranged from 5° C. to 27° C. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM165’.

PROPAGATION

(5) Time to initiate roots: About 3 weeks at approximately 24° C. Time to produce a rooted young plant: About 8 weeks at 24° C.

PLANT

(6) Plant type: Perennial shrub. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 to 3 years old. Growth habit: Low rounded/spreading. Pot size of plant described: 3 gallon pot. Appropriate containers sizes: 1, 2 and 3 gallon commercial containers. Overall plant shape: Compact spreading globular form. Height: 60-65 cm. Plant spread: 62-70 cm. Growth rate: Moderate. Plant vigor: Good. Branching characteristics: Low branching, some basal branching. Length of primary lateral branches: 50 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: 5 mm. Quantity of lateral branches: About 15. Internode length: About 3 cm. Stem: Stem appearance.—Round. Stem strength.—Moderate. Stem color.—New growth: Near RHS Greyed-Orange 176B. 1-year-old growth: Near RHS Yellow-Green 152B. Old Growth: Near RHS Greyed-Green 197A. Pubescence.—Present on new growth. Angle of attachment.—About 45° angle of attachment. Other plant characteristics: Lenticels: 1 mm Near RHS Greyed-Orange 177B. Roots: Moderate density moderate branching. Medium thickness, fibrous and white in color, not accurately measured with R.H.S. Chart.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.—Alternate, single. Leaf shape.—Young: Elliptic. Mature: Obovate. Average length.—4 cm. Average width.—2.5 cm. Apex.—Immature foliage acute to acuminate, mature foliage rounded. Base.—Cuneate. Margin.—Crenate. Texture of top surface.—Smooth, very shiny. Texture of bottom surface.—Slightly rough/waxy. Leaf side with pubescence.—Slightly on under side. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 143A, tinged Red 42B along margin. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C, tinged Red 42B along margin. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 148B. Fall foliage.—Upper side: Near RHS Orange N25C, flushed Red 45D. Under side: Near RHS Orange N25C, flushed Red 45D. Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color upper side: Midrib: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Lateral Veins: Near RHS Green 143A. Color under side: Midrib: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Lateral Veins: Near RHS Yellow-Green 148B. Petiole.—Average Length: 3 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Petiole color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-green 145A. Petiole color lower side: Near RHS Yellow-green 145A. Petiole Texture upper side: Smooth/waxy. Petiole Texture lower side: Smooth/waxy.

FLOWER

(8) Natural flowering season: Spring. Flower arrangement: Corymb. Inflorescence type and habit: Compound corymb, composed of outwardly facing flowers. Inflorescence height: 2-3 cm. Inflorescence width: 2-3 cm. Quantity of flowers per inflorescence: 3-15. Quantity of flowers per lateral stem: 25-40. Quantity of flowers per plant: 45-60. Flower longevity on plant: 1-2 weeks. Individual flowers: Flower form.—Rotate. Flower shape.—Radial. Flower aspect.—Upright. Size: Diameter.—12 mm. Length.—12 mm. Depth.—6 mm. Flower other characteristics: Persistence.—Self cleaning. Fragrance.—Very slight. Petal: Petal arrangement.—Whorled. Petal appearance.—Spade-like. Number of petals per flower.—5. Petal fused.—No. Petal shape.—Circular. Petal base.—Attenuate. Margin.—Entire. Tip shape.—Rounded. Length.—5 mm. Width.—4 mm. Texture.—Upper: Glabrous. Lower: Glabrous. Petal color: When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS White 155B. Lower surface: Near RHS White 155B with a blush of Red-Purple 62C. Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS White 155B. Lower surface: Near RHS White 155B. Bud: Shape.—Spherical. Length.—5 mm. Diameter.—4 mm. Color.—Near RHS White 155B and Greyed-Purple 186B. Calyx: Shape.—Radial. Length.—3 mm. Diameter.—5.5 mm. Sepals: Arrangement.—Radial. Number.—5. Shape.—Broad deltate. Base.—Truncate. Margin.—Entire. Tip shape.—Acute. Length.—1 mm. Width.—1 mm. Color upper.—Near RHS Green 139D. Color lower.—Near RHS Green 139C. Texture.—Upper: Pubescent. Lower: Glabrous. Peduncle: Length.—7 mm. Diameter.—1 mm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D. Strength.—Good. Texture.—Glabrous.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Number.—18. Filament length.—4 mm. Filament color.—Near RHS White 155B. Anthers: Shape.—Dorsifixed. Length.—1 mm. Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 59B. Pollen color.—Brown. Pollen amount.—Scant to moderate. Pistil: Number.—4. Length.—3 mm. Style.—Length: 1 mm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D. Stigma.—Shape: Syncarpous fused stigma with 3-5 lobes. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D. Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Fruit: Produced in late Summer. Small pome. Not produced abundantly. 3 to 7 clustered together. Colored near Greyed-Purple N186A of nearly Black 202A. Glossy. Average 8 mm diameter. Fruit petiole 1 to 2 cm long, weak, slightly pubescent colored near Greyed-Red 180B. Disease/pest resistance: Typical of the species. Temperature tolerance: The new variety tested to temperatures between −25° C. to 40° C.