Berberis plant named 'NCBT1'

Abstract

A new and distinct Berberis cultivar named ‘NCBT1’ is disclosed, characterized by purple foliage and a distinctively compact and round plant habit. Plants have very low female fertility. The new variety is a Berberis, normally produced as an outdoor garden plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Berberis plant named ‘NCBT1’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0021] The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘NCBT1’ grown in an outdoor flower bed.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a plant of ‘NCBT1 in a three gallon nursery container’. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 2 years. 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

[0023] In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 1996 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘NCBT1’ plants grown outdoors in a research nursery in Mills River, N.C. Measurements were taken during the Spring and Summer of 2015. The plants were 2-3 years old, field grown. The growing temperature ranged from approximately −10° C. to 35° C. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. [0024] Botanical classification: Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea ‘NCBT1’. [0025] Propagation: [0026] Time to initiate roots.—About 20 days at approximately 27° C. [0027] Root description.—Density is moderate to dense, fibrous, freely branching. Medium root thickness. White to brown in color, not effectively measured with a color chart. [0028] Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About 90 days at 27° C. [0029] Plant: [0030] Plant type.—Cold hardy shrub. [0031] Age of plant described.—Approximately 2-3 years old. [0032] Growth habit.—Compact, low and spreading. [0033] Pot size of plant described.—Field grown plants. [0034] Overall plant shape.—Mound. [0035] Height.—40 cm. [0036] Plant spread.—60 cm. [0037] Growth rate.—Moderate. [0038] Plant vigor.—Good. [0039] Branching characteristics.—Alternate whorled. [0040] Length of primary lateral branches.—Average 19 cm, typical range 8 to 24 cm. [0041] Diameter of lateral branches.—1 to 3 mm. [0042] Quantity of lateral branches.—Average 33. [0043] Stem.—Stem Appearance: Matte Stem Strength: Strong Color: Near RHS Purple N77A Pubescence: None. [0044] Internode length.—Average 12 mm, typical range 7 to 20. [0045] Foliage: [0046] Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate whorled, single Leaf shape: Obovate to rounded Average Length: 21 mm, typical range 12 to 28 mm Average Width: 15 mm, typical range 6 to 18 mm. Apex: Mucronate Base: Attenuate Margin: Entire Texture of top surface: Smooth, glabrous. Texture of bottom surface: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Purple N77A . Young foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 183D. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple N187B Venation: Pattern: Pinnate, irregular. Color upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A. Color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B Petiole: Average Length: 1 mm Diameter: 1 mm Petiole color upper side: Near RHS Purple N77A Petiole color lower side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple N187B Petiole Texture upper side: Smooth Petiole Texture lower side: Smooth Foliage durability: Foliage very durable to stress. Spines: Form: Attached to plant nodes, occurring 1 per node. Size: Average 7 mm long, typical range 4 to 8 mm. Less than 1 mm wide. Color: Near RHS Purple N77A. [0047] Flower: [0048] Natural flowering season.—Spring. [0049] Inflorescence type and habit.—Umbellate Fascicles. Axial occurring along underside of branches. [0050] Flower longevity on plant.—2 weeks. [0051] Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—3 to 8. [0052] Quantity of flowers per plant.—500 to 1000. [0053] Individual flowers.—Flower shape: Star shaped Flower aspect: Outwardly drooping Flowering arrangement: Terminal Size: Diameter: Approximately 5 mm Depth: Approximately 9 mm Flower Other Characteristics: Persistence: Self cleaning. Fragrance: Not noted. [0054] Bud.—Shape: Rounded, globose Length: 3 to 4 mm Diameter: 3 to 4 mm Color: Near RHS Greyed-purple 187A. [0055] Petal.—Petal arrangement: Whorl Number of petals per flower: 5 to 6 Petal Shape: Elliptic Petal Base: Obtuse Margin: Entire Tip shape: Obtuse Length: 4 mm Width: 3 mm Texture: Upper: Smooth Lower: Smooth. [0056] Petal color.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow 12C flushed Red 46A Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow 12C Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow 12A Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow 12C. [0057] Sepal.—Arrangement: Whorl Appearance: Smooth Number: 6 Shape: Roughly orbicular. Tip: Acute to obtuse Base: Acute to obtuse Margin: Entire Length: 4 mm Width: 3 mm Texture, Upper: Smooth Texture, Lower: Smooth Color: Upper surface at maturity: Near RHS Yellow-green 145B Under surface at maturity: Near RHS Yellow-green 145B. [0058] Peduncle.—Length: 6 mm Diameter: Less than 1 mm Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B Orientation: Upright/outward Strength: Good Texture: Smooth/glabrous. [0059] Reproductive organs: [0060] Stamens.—Number: 6 Filament length: about 1 mm Filament color: Near RHS green 137B. [0061] Anthers.—Shape: Globular Length: About 1 mm Color: Near RHS Yellow 12A Pollen color: Near RHS Yellow 12A Pollen amount: Some. [0062] Pistil.—Number: 1 per flower Length: about 3 mm Style: Length: About 3 mm Color: Near RHS Red 46A Stigma: Color: Near RHS Yellow 2A. [0063] Other characteristics: [0064] Seeds and fruits.—Very rarely observed. [0065] Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Berberis have been observed. [0066] Temperature tolerance.—The new variety tolerates temperatures between −31° C. to 38° C. [0067] Environmental stressors.—Good resistance to wind and rain.