A new cultivar of Oenothera plant named ‘SHIMMER’, a hardy deciduous herbaceous perennial, distinguishable by low-spreading habit, narrow silver, ribbon-like foliage, and bright butter-yellow flowers. In combination these traits set ‘SHIMMER’ apart from all other existing varieties of Oenothera known to the inventor.
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1. A new and distinct cultivar of Oenothera plant named ‘SHIMMER’ as described and illustrated herein.
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Genus: OENOTHERA.
Species: fremontii.
Denomination: ‘SHIMMER’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of evening primrose, a hardy herbaceous perennial grown for use in the landscape. The new invention, known botanically as Oenothera fremontii is a member of the Onagraceae family and will hereinafter be referred to by the cultivar name ‘SHIMMER’.
The new Oenothera cultivar named ‘SHIMMER’ was discovered in the inventor's experimental garden as a chance seedling that resulted from open pollination. The inventor selected ‘SHIMMER’ in 2004 as a superior seedling selection based on the criteria of dramatically narrow, ribbon-like foliage, and overall appearance in the garden setting. The selection process was carried out by the inventor in Fort Collins, Colo.
The female parent is Oenothera fremontii (unpatented) and the male parent is Oenothera fremontii (unpatented). The name Oenothera fremontii is known by the inventor to be synonymous with Oenothera macrocarpa subsp. fremontii. ‘SHIMMER’ is distinguishable from the parent by foliage and overall appearance.
The closest comparison plant known to the inventor is Oenothera fremontii ‘Lemon Silver’ (unpatented). The new variety named ‘SHIMMER’ is distinguishable from the comparison plant by dramatically narrow, ribbon-like foliage. When compared to ‘Lemon Silver’ the foliage of ‘SHIMMER’ is fine textured, giving a more obviously silver effect, and an overall appearance that is neat and luxuriant. Other related perennials such as Oenothera subsp. incana ‘Comanche Campfire’ (unpatented) and ‘Silver Blade’ (unpatented) present a coarse appearance and require 30% to 40% more garden space when compared to the new Oenothera plant named ‘SHIMMER’.
The distinguishing characteristics of the new Oenothera plant named ‘SHIMMER’ are low-spreading habit, narrow silver, ribbon-like leaves, red stems, and butter-yellow flowers that are fragrant at night. ‘SHIMMER’ grows 10 cm. in height and 20 cm. to 25 cm. in width the first year, reaching 15 cm. in height and 60 cm. in width at maturity. The new cultivar named ‘SHIMMER’ is deciduous, highly drought tolerant, and hardy to USDA Zone 4.
Due to finely branching stems, many flowers appear at the ends of the numerous stems at once, resulting in a floriferous show of bloom during early summer and sporadically through the remainder of the growing season. Unlike other evening primrose, ‘SHIMMER’ is as beautiful in foliage as in flower, creating a silver carpet, dotted with bright butter-yellow flowers when in bloom.
The first asexual reproduction of ‘SHIMMER’ was conducted in June 2005, in a cultivated area of Fort Collins, Colo. The method used was softwood cuttings. Since that time ‘SHIMMER’ has been determined fixed, stable and true to type in subsequent generations of asexual propagation.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Oenothera cultivar named ‘SHIMMER’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘SHIMMER’ from all other existing varieties of Oenothera known to the inventor. ‘SHIMMER’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.
The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new Oenothera cultivar named ‘SHIMMER’ showing color as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in color reproductions of this type. Color in the drawings may differ from color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual color of the new variety ‘SHIMMER’. The drawings were made in summer of 3-year-old plants that were planted in the ground from 1-liter containers.
The drawing labeled
The drawing labeled
Drawings were made using conventional techniques and although flower and foliage color may appear different from actual color due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.
The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Oenothera cultivar named ‘SHIMMER’. Observations, measurements, values and comparisons were collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. during summer from 3-year-old plants grown in 14 cm. containers. Color determinations are made in accordance with The 2001 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.
Ogden, Scott, Ogden, Lauren S.
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
| Aug 23 2007 | OGDEN, SCOTT | PLANTHAVEN, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 020149 | /0537 | |
| Aug 23 2007 | OGDEN, LAUREN SPRINGER | PLANTHAVEN, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 020149 | /0537 |
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