Ceanothus plant named 'MATCEA01'

Abstract

A new and distinct Ceanothus cultivar named ‘MATCEA01’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive dark green foliage with a yellow margin. Plants exhibit good tolerance to high heat and sun, resisting leaf scorch. Plants are vigorous and grow rapidly to approximately 10 feet in diameter and 2 feet tall. The new cultivar is a Ceanothus, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ceanothus plant named ‘MATCEA01’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0024] The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a close up of typical flowers and foliage of the new variety. The photograph was 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

[0025] 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 ‘MATCEA01’ 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. [0026] Botanical classification: Ceanothus griseus ‘MATCEA01’. [0027] Propagation: Typically by semi-hardwood cuttings in Spring and Summer. [0028] Rooting.—Approximately 1 month at 18° C. to initiate rooting. Approximately 3 months 18° C. to produce a rooted cutting. [0029] Root description.—Fine, fibrous young roots, well branched. Colored near RHS Grey-Brown 199A. [0030] Plant: [0031] Growth habit.—Prostrate, trailing, evergreen shrub. [0032] Height: Approximately 7 to 8 cm to top of foliar and flowering plane. [0033] Plant spread.—Approximately 80 cm. [0034] Branching characteristics.—Well branched, approximately 4 to 8 primary branches from the center of the plant. Branches occur at approximately 15° to 45° angles. Each primary branch has 6 to 10 lateral branches. [0035] Primary branches.—. [0036] Length of primary branches.—Average range 25 to 40 cm. [0037] Diameter of primary branches.—Approximately 0.5-0.8 cm. [0038] Primary branch strength.—Moderately strong and flexible. [0039] Primary branch color.—Near RHS Green 138A. [0040] Primary branch texture.—Glabrous, ridged. [0041] Lateral branches.—. [0042] Number of lateral branches.—Approximately 6 to 10 per primary branch. [0043] Length of lateral branches.—Average range 10 to 20 cm. [0044] Diameter of lateral branches.—Average 0.4 cm. [0045] Lateral branch strength.—Moderately strong and flexible. [0046] Lateral branch color.—Near RHS Green 137C. [0047] Lateral branch texture.—Glabrous, ridged. [0048] Internode length.—Average 2.0 to 2.8 cm. [0049] Age of plant described.—Approximately 1 year. [0050] Foliage: [0051] Leaf.—Type: Simple Arrangement: Opposite. Average Length: Approximately 3.5 to 4.7 cm. Average Width: Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 cm. Shape of blade: Ovate. Apex: Broad acute. Base: Truncate. Attachment: Stalked Margin: Finely and irregularly serrate or crenate. Texture of top surface: Glabrous. Texture of bottom surface: Glabrous. Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A margin near Green 138A and Yellow-Green 144C. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B margin near Yellow-Green 144B Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A margin near Yellow 3C Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B margin near Yellow-Green 144B. [0052] Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Three main parallel veins, with laterals occurring in a pinnate pattern. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Green 137A Venation color under-side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. [0053] Petiole.—Length: About 0.8 cm. Diameter: About 0.2 cm Color: Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137C Lower Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. [0054] Flower: [0055] Bloom period.—Plants begin flowering in the late Winter to very early Spring, and continues for approximately 4 to 6 weeks. [0056] Flower.—Campanulate, monecious, outwardly facing flowers arranged in a raceme. [0057] Inflorescence.—Height: Average 5.0 to 10.0 cm. Diameter: Average 3.0 cm. Shape: Obconical Flowers per: 50 to 70. [0058] Individual flowers.—Length: Average 0.5 cm. Diameter: Average 0.3 cm. [0059] Petals.—Quantity: 5 Length: Approximately 0.2 cm. Width: Approximately 0.1 cm Apex: Rounded. Shape of petal: Spatulate Petal margin; Entire. Aspect very slightly undulating. Petal Arrangement: Single whorl Petal Number: 5 full petals. 3 to 5 irregularly shaped and sized petaloids in center of flower. Petal Texture: Smooth, glabrous all surfaces Color: Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Violet-Blue 97B Under surface at first opening: Near RHS Violet-Blue 97C Inner surface at maturity: Near Violet-Blue 97B Outer surface at maturity: Near RHS Blue 101D Upper surface at fading: Near RHS Violet-Blue 97D Under surface at fading: Near RHS Blue 106D. [0060] Peduncle.—Length: Average 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Color: Near RHS Green 138A Texture: Glabrous. Aspect: Straight. Strength: Moderately sturdy and flexible. [0061] Pedicel.—Length: Average 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Color: Near RHS Green 138A Texture: Glabrous Aspect: Straight. Angle of attachment, approximately 15 to 45°. Strength: Soft and flexible. [0062] Bud.—Shape: Globular Length: 0.5 cm Diameter: 0.3 cm Color: Near RHS Violet-blue 98D. [0063] Calyx/sepals.—Quantity per flower: 5 sepals Shape: Ovate Length: 0.2 cm Width: 0.1 cm Apex: Acute Base: Truncate Margin: Entire Texture: Glabrous all surfaces Color: Inner Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B, flushed Violet-Blue 94C. Outer Surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B, flushed Violet-Blue 94D. [0064] Reproductive organs: [0065] Stamens.—Number: 5 Stamen Length: 0.3 cm Width: Less than 0.1 cm Color: Near RHS White N155A. [0066] Anthers.—Length: Approximately 0.1 cm Shape: Linear Color: Near RHS Yellow 6D Pollen: Scant, colored near Yellow 14D. [0067] Pistil.—Number: 1 Length: Average 0.5 cm Style: Length: Average 0.4 Color: Near RHS White N155A Stigma: Globular, colored near Yellow-White 158A Ovary: Approximately 1 mm in diameter, colored near Black 202B. [0068] Other characteristics: [0069] Disease and pest resistance.—Not observed to be susceptible nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Ceanothus. [0070] Temperature tolerance.—Hardy to approximately 20 to 25° F. Tolerant of high temperatures to approximately 100° F. [0071] Fruit/seed production.—Not observed to date.