Rhododendron ‘MFARSS’

Abstract

A new and distinct Rhododendron cultivar named ‘MFARSS’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive full double pink flowers. Plants are upright and vigorous. Plants bloom Spring, Summer and Fall and exhibit good tolerance to environmental stressors. The new cultivar is a Rhododendron, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘MFARSS’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a 2 year old plant of the new variety in a 5 gallon pot.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a typical flower and 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, fifth edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘MFARSS’ plants grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala. Plants are approximately 2 to 3 years old, in a 3 gallon nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Rhododendron hybrida ‘MFARSS’.

PROPAGATION

(5) Typically by semi-hardwood cuttings in Spring and Summer. Root description: Fine, fibrous young roots, well branched. Colored near RHS Grey-Brown 199A.

PLANT

(6) Growth habit: Low, mounded evergreen shrub. Height: Approximately 24 cm to top of foliar and flowering plane. Plant spread: Approximately 33 cm. Growth rate: Slow to moderate. Branching characteristics: Very well branched with basal branches and lateral branches. Lateral branching encouraged by pinching. Lateral branches: Lateral branch quantity: Average 48. Length of primary branches: Average range 19 to 25 cm. Diameter of primary branches: Approximately 45 mm. Primary branch strength: Strong. Lateral branch color: Immature: Near Yellow-Green 144B. Mature: Near Greyed-Orange 165A. Primary branch texture: Scaly, rough. Lateral branch texture: Slightly pubescent. Internode length: Average 1.3 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 to 3 years.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Type.—Simple. Arrangement.—Alternate or whorled. Average length.—Average 4.5 cm. Average width.—Average 1.1 cm. Shape of blade.—Lanceolate to oblanceolate. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Cuneate to attenuate. Attachment.—Stalked. Margin.—Entire. Undulate. Texture of top surface.—Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.—Sparsely pubescent. Appearance.—Upper surface glossy, under surface matte. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near Yellow-Green 146B, margins near Yellow 10D. Young foliage under side: Near Yellow-Green 146B, margins near Yellow 10D. Mature foliage upper side: Near Yellow-Green 146A, margins near Yellow 11D. Mature foliage under side: Near Yellow-Green 146B, margins near Yellow 11D. Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Identical to leaf blade. Venation color under side: Identical to leaf blade. Petiole.—Length: About 0.6 cm. Diameter: About 0.1 cm. Color: Upper Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 164C. Lower Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Texture: Upper and lower surfaces slightly pubescent.

FLOWER

(8) Bloom period: Natural flowering begins in May, under conditions found in Michigan. Flower: Arrangement.—Axillary clusters of perfect, single funnel shaped individual flowers. Typically 2 to 5 flowers per cluster. About 160 flowers and buds on a plant in full bloom. Flower longevity approximately 3 weeks. Flowers: Length.—Average 4.0 cm. Diameter.—Average 6.0 cm. Facing direction.—Outwardly and upwardly facing. Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning. Fragrance.—None. Petals: Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm. Width.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 cm Apex.—Acute, undulating and ruffled. Base.—Fused. Shape of petal.—Ovate. Petal margin.—Entire, ruffled. Petal number.—5. Petal texture.—Smooth. Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Red-Purple N57A. Under surface at first opening: Near RHS Red-Purple N57A. Inner surface at maturity: Near RHS Red-Purple N57A. Outer surface at maturity: Near RHS Red-Purple N57A. Bud: Shape.—Elliptic. Length.—2.4 cm. Diameter.—1.2 cm. Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple N57A. Calyx/sepals: Star shaped calyx. Quantity per flower.—5 sepals. Shape.—Lanceolate. Length.—9 mm. Width.—3 mm. Apex.—Narrowly acute. Base.—Fused. Margin.—Entire. Texture.—All surfaces slightly pubescent. Color.—Interior Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D. Outer Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D. Peduncle: Not present, inflorescence pedicels emerge directly from node. Pedicel: Length.—Average 5 mm. Diameter.—1 mm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D, tinged near Red-Purple 57A. Texture.—Slightly pubescent. Aspect.—Straight. Angle of attachment, approximately 45° angle from stem. Strength.—Strong.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Number.—5. Filament length.—3 cm. Width.—0.1 cm. Filament color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 57A. Anthers.—Shape: Spherical. Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 72A. Pollen: Scant, colored near Red-Purple 57A. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—Average 3.2 cm. Style.—Length: Average 3.0. cm. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple N57C. Stigma: Globular, colored near Red-Purple N66A. Ovary: Colored near White 155C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Rhododendron. Temperature tolerance: Observed hardy to USDA Zone 7, potentially hardy to zone 6. Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.