Earth and Space News: David Tristram hellebores

Showing posts with label David Tristram hellebores. Show all posts

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Helleborus ‘Walhero’ Has Pink Flowers and Sells as 'Walberton’s® Rosemary'

Summary: Helleborus ‘Walhero,’ a hybrid hellebore species by British helleborist David Tristram, has pink flowers and sells as 'Walberton’s® Rosemary.'

overall view of 3-year-old Helleborus 'Walhero' plants in late spring; image included in David Tristram’s patent application, filed Tuesday, April 3, 2007, as application number https://digital.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/PP19439, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP19,439; Date of Patent Nov. 11, 2008; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries

Helleborus ‘Walhero,’ a hybrid hellebore species by British nursery owner and plant breeder David Tristram, has mid to dark pink flowers and sells as 'Walberton’s® Rosemary.'

On April 3, 2007, Tristram filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, for a patent for Helleborus ‘Walhero.’ Primary examiner Kent L. Bell and assistant examiner Georgia Helmer review Tristram’s application. On Nov. 11, 2008, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office assigned plant patent number 19,439 to Helleborus ‘Walhero.’

‘Walhero’ resulted from a breeding program that Tristram established in 1980 in an unheated greenhouse at his business, Walberton Nursery, in south England’s West Sussex County. The program aimed at producing new, vigorous hellebores with attractively presented flowers.

The program yielded over two decades of raised and crossed promising seedlings. Selected seedlings of Helleborus orientalis, known popularly as Lenten rose, were crossed with Helleborus niger ‘Potter’s Wheel,’ a renowned, unpatented Christmas rose, or black hellebore, variety discovered by David’s father, Major G.H. Tristram. Each year’s hybridized seedlings were raised to first or second year flowering. David Tristram then retained a select number for longer term evaluation.

In 2002, David Tristram selected ‘Walhero’ from among the program’s collection of promising seedlings. The inventor based his selection upon such distinctive features as crop uniformity; lengthy, prolific blooming of large, well-presented, saucer-shaped, pink flowers; upright, vigorous growth. Propagation by tissue culture, which began in 2003, demonstrated the retention and true reproduction of the compact, upright perennial’s distinctive traits over successive generations.

Tristram’s patent application describes 2-year-old plants grown outdoors in West Sussex County in 3-liter (0.79-gallon) containers. Soil preference is deep, fertile and rich with humus.

Sunlight requirements call for moderate, light or filtered shade.

A 2-year-old 'Walhero' plant measures a height of 35 centimeters (13.77 inches). Spread, or width, reaches 50 centimeters (19.68 inches).

‘Walhero’ is an acaulescent (Latin: ab, “away from” + caulis, “stalk”) evergreen. Its flower and leaf stems arise basally.

Leaves comprise three to nine leaflets. Leaflets range in length from 7 to 13 centimeters (2.75 to 5.11 inches) and in width from 2 to 5 centimeters (0.78 to 1.96 inches).

Leaflet shape is elliptical to lanceolate, or lance-shaped. Margins are serrated. Smooth, non-downy leaflets’ texture is described as glabrous with a semi-glossy appearance.

Adaxial, or upper, surfaces of leaflets display brown green (Royal Horticultural Society colour chart color 189A) and brown green (RHS 191A) as individual colors. Abaxial, or lower, surfaces display brown green (RHS 191A) and brown green (RHS 191B) as individual colors.

‘Walhero’ displays a pinnate vein pattern. Parallel, smaller veins branch from each leaflet’s main vein. Coloring is brown green (RHS 191A) on upper surfaces and brown green (RHS 191B) on lower surfaces.

Nut-shaped flower buds are 1.5 centimeters (inches) in width and 3 centimeters (inches) in length. Brown purple (RHS 183C) and blue pink (RHS 186C) are present as individual colors on each bud.

Oval-shaped bracts, numbering one or two, subtend, or underlie, each flower bud. Bracts have widths of 1.5 to 2 centimeters (0.59 to 0.78 inches) and lengths of 2.5 to 4 centimeters (0.98 to 1.57 inches).

Bract surfaces, which are smooth and free from down or hair, are described as glabrous. Their smooth, untoothed margins are described as entire.

Upper surfaces of bracts are brown green (RHS 138B). Lower surfaces may display brown green (RHS 138A) and brown red (RHS 182C) as individual colors.

closeup of 'Walhero' flower and bud; image included in David Tristram’s patent application, Tuesday, April 3, 2007, as application number https://digital.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/PP19439, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP19,439; Date of Patent Nov. 11, 2008; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries

‘Walhero’ blooms lengthily and prolificially. Its flowering season extends from late December to March and April. ‘Walhero’ has no discernible fragrance.

Flowers retain their shapes for two months. Individuals last 15 days on the plant. Lastingness in fresh, cut arrangements is 10 days.

Spicate inflorescence features three or four flowers per spike. Stellate, or star-shaped, flowers have a horizontal, slightly nodding presentation.

Petals are only present as nectaries. Falloff occurs early.

Each flower consists of five unfused sepals. Sepal shape, described as saucer-like, is between ovate, or egg-shaped, and orbicular. Smooth, untoothed margins are described as entire. Slightly puberulent surfaces have minute, soft downy hairs.

Sepal length range of 4 to 4.5 centimeters (1.57 to 1.77 inches) increases to 4.5 to 5 centimeters (1.77 to 1.96 inches) with age. Width range of 3 to 3.5 centimeters (1.18 to 1.37 inches) increases to 4.5 to 5 centimeters (1.77 to 1.96 inches) with age.

Brown purple (RHS 183D), brown purple (RHS 186B), grey brown (RHS 199C) and white endure as individual colors on each sepal throughout the blooming season.

The takeaway for Helleborus ‘Walhero’ is the pink-flowered, winter-hardy hellebore’s floriferous longevity in indoor and outdoor niches under the trade name of 'Walberton’s® Rosemary.'

Helleborus Walberton’s® Rosemary, Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley Garden, Surrey County, South East England, Saturday, March 24, 2012, 10:38:52: Leonora (Ellie) Enking, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Flickr

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

3-year-old Helleborus 'Walhero' in late spring; image included in David Tristram’s patent application, filed Tuesday, April 3, 2007, as application number https://digital.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/PP19439, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP19,439; Date of Patent Nov. 11, 2008; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries, @ https://digital.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/PP19439; (former URL @ http://www.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/binaries/19400/pp19439.pdf)

closeup of 'Walhero' flower and bud; image included in David Tristram’s patent application, filed Tuesday, April 3, 2007, as application number https://digital.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/PP19439, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP19,439; Date of Patent Nov. 11, 2008; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries, @ https://digital.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/PP19439; (former URL @ http://www.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/binaries/19400/pp19439.pdf)

Burrell, C. Colston; Judith Knott Tyler. Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide. Portland OR: Timber Press, 2006.

“Helleborus Plant Named ‘Walhero.’” United States Patent and Trademark Office > Program in Word (PIW). Nov. 11, 2008.
Available @ http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=PP019439

International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. “Document TGP/14: Glossary of Technical, Botanical and Statistical Terms Used in UPOV Documents. Section 2: Botanical Terms: Subsection 3: Color: (2): Color Names for the RHS Colour Chart.” UPOV (Union Internationale Pour la Protection des Obtentions Végétales). Dec. 9, 2006.
Available @ http://www.upov.int/edocs/mdocs/upov/en/tc_edc?2007/tgp_14_draft_1_section_2_3_2.pdf

“Lenten Rose (Helleborus x hybridus Walberton’s® Rosemary).” The National Gardening Association > Plants Database > Hellebores.
Available @ http://garden.org/plants/view/533820/Lenten-Rose-Helleborus-x-hybridus-Walbertons-Rosemary/

Marriner, Derdriu. “Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’ Has Green- and Pink-Tinted Ivory White Flowers.” Earth and Space News. Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/01/helleborus-walhelivor-has-green-and.html

“A ‘Potted’ History.” Walberton Nursery > History.
Available @ http://www.walberton-nursery.co.uk/history/

“PP19439 -- Helleborus Plant Named ‘Walhero.’” University of Maryland > Plant Patents Image Database.
Available @ http://www.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/15404

Rice, Graham; Elizabeth Strangman. The Gardener’s Guide to Growing Hellebores. Newton Abbot, England: David and Charles, 2005.

“Walberton’s® Introductions.” Walberton Nursery.
Available @ http://www.walberton-nursery.co.uk/walbertons-introductions/

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’ Has Green- and Pink-Tinted Ivory White Flowers

Summary: Helleborus ‘Walhelivor,’ by British plant breeder David Tristram, has green- and pink-tinted ivory white flowers and sells as ‘Ivory Prince.’

top view of Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’ in images included in David Tristram’s patent application, filed Monday, May 3, 2004, as application number 10/836139, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP16,199; Date of Patent Jan. 10, 2006; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries

Helleborus ‘Walhelivor,’ by British plant breeder and nursery owner David Tristram, has green- and pink-tinted ivory white flowers and sells as ‘Ivory Prince’ in Tristram’s Walberton’s® series.

On May 3, 2004, David Tristram filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent for ‘Walhelivor’ as a Helleborus hybrid. Primary examiner Kent Bell and assistant examiner Louanne Krawczewicz Myers reviewed the application. On Jan. 10, 2006, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office assigned plant patent number 16,199 to Helleborus ‘Walhelivor.’

‘Walhelivor’ originated in a breeding program established in 1980 by David Tristram as owner of Walberton Nursery. His nursery is based in the village and civil parish of Walberton, Arun District, in south England’s West Sussex County. His breeding program aimed for the production of flat-flowered Helleborus cultivars with vigorous growth rates and upright habits.

Tristram’s program entailed assembling and hybridizing various Helleborus plants and seed strains. Seedlings of Helleborus niger, Helleborus x nigercors and Helleborus x ericsmithii were hybridized. The program also included selected seedlings of Helleborus niger ‘Potter’s Wheel,’ a distinct, unpatented variety discovered as a self-sown seedling by the inventor’s father, Major G.H. Tristram.

David Tristram grew each year’s hybridized seedlings to first year flowering and retained promising selections for second year evaluation. In 1995, he selected ‘Walhelivor’ as a single plant from among the year’s promising collection. Thus, the parentage of Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’ is unknown.

Propagation via tissue culture began in 1999. Successive generations retained and truly reproduced the vigorous perennial’s unique features. The hellebore’s distinguishing characteristics include compact and upright form, vigorous growth rate and crop uniformity. Flat, large, prolific flowers open as ivory white, display pink tinges at maturity and age to green.

Tristram’s patent application describes 2-year-old plants grown outdoors in 2-gallon containers in Arroyo Grande, southwestern San Luis Obispo County, central California. Soil preference is deep, fertile and rich with humus.

Sunlight requirements call for moderate to filtered shade. Best performance occurs under deciduous trees.

At two years, ‘Walhelivor’ reaches a height of 46 centimeters (18.11 inches). Its spread, or width, measures 51 centimeters (20.07 inches).

Evergreen foliage comprises three to seven leaflets per leaf. Leaflet shape is ovate, or egg-shaped. Margins are serrated.

Leaflets present a semi-glossy appearance. Their surfaces are described as glabrous, with smooth textures lacking down or hair.

Leaflet lengths range from 7 to 10 centimeters (2.75 to 3.93 inches). Widths range from 3.5 to 6.5 centimeters (1.37 to 2.55 inches).

Upper surfaces of leaflets display color zones of brown green (Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart color 189A) and green grey (RHS 191C). Lower surfaces have color zones of brown green (RHS 191A) and brown purple (RHS 187A).

Nut-shaped floral buds are 1.75 centimeters (0.68 inches) in length. Bud width is 1.25 centimeters (0.49 inches).

Light yellow brown (RHS 158D), brown green (RHS 148D) and brown red (RHS 182B) are all present as individual colors on each bud.

Two oval-shaped bracts subtend, or underlie, each bud. Margins are mostly entire, or smooth, but a few small teeth may be present. Glabrous bract surfaces are smooth and lack down or hair.

Bract width is 1.25 centimeters (0.49 inches). Length is 2.50 centimeters (0.98 inches).

Bracts’ upper surfaces are brown green (RHS 138A). Brown green (RHS 138B) and brown red (RHS 182B) are both present as individual colors on lower surfaces.

side view of Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’ in images included in David Tristram’s patent application, filed Monday, May 3, 2004, as application number 10/836139, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); United States Plant Patent No. US PP16,199; Date of Patent Jan. 10, 2006; color scans via Plant Patents Image Database, Digital Collections @ University of Maryland Libraries

Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’ flowers prolifically during its winter and spring blooming season. A 2-year-old plant bears six spikes of 12 flowers each. Flowers have no detectable fragrance.

Nodding flowers, comprising five sepals, are stellate, or star-shaped. Sepals have ovate to orbicular shapes, with rounded apices, or tips.

Upper and lower surfaces of sepals have minute, soft downy hairs, described as puberulent. Margins are smooth, described as entire.

Sepal length measures 2.5 centimeters (0.98 inches) and increases to 3.5 centimeters (1.37 inches) with age. Sepal width measures 2 centimeters (0.78 inches) and increases to 2.5 centimeters (0.98 inches) with age.

Light yellow brown (RHS 158C), brown red (RHS 182B) and brown green (RHS 148D) are all present as individual colors on both upper and lower surfaces over the course of the blooming period.

Flowers retain their shapes for two months. Individual flowers last 10 days on the plant. In fresh, cut arrangements, flowers last five to eight days.

The takeaway for Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’ is that the captivating hellebore with green- and pink-tinted ivory white flowers sells beautifully under the trade name of ‘Ivory Prince’ in David Tristram’s Walberton® series.

In garden: ‘Ivory Prince’ hellebore (Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’) with starch grape hyacinth (Muscari neglectum), Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City, Utah, Friday, April 20, 2012, 15:32:28: Andrey Zharkikh (andrey-zharkikh), CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Flickr

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Burrell, C. Colston; Judith Knott Tyler. Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide. Portland OR: Timber Press, 2006.

“Hellebore (Helleborus Walberton’s® Ivory Prince).” The National Gardening Association > Plants Database > Hellebores.
Available @ http://garden.org/plants/view/163613/Hellebore-Helleborus-Walbertons-Ivory-Prince/

“Helleborus Plant Named ‘Walhelivor.’” United States Patent and Trademark Office > Program in Word (PIW). Jan. 10, 2006.
Available @ http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=PP016199

“Helleborus x nigersmithii Ivory Prince.’” Heritage Perennials > Advanced Perennial Search.
Available @ http://www.perennials.com/plants/helleborus-nigersmithii-ivory-prince.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Helleborus 'COSEH 210' Has Large White Flowers and Sells as 'HGC Joel'®." Earth and Space News. Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/01/helleborus-coseh-210-has-large-white.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Helleborus 'COSEH 740' Has White Flowers and Dark Green Leaves." Earth and Space News. Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/11/helleborus-coseh-740-has-white-flowers.html

“A ‘Potted’ History.” Walberton Nursery > History.
Available @ http://www.walberton-nursery.co.uk/history/

“PP16199 -- Helleborus Plant Named ‘Walhelivor.’” University of Maryland > Plant Patents Image Database.
Available @ http://www.lib.umd.edu/plantpatents/id/12165

Rice, Graham. “The Holy Grail of Hellebores!” Royal Horticultural Society’s My Garden > Blogs. Aug. 30, 2008.
Available @ http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/blogs/graham_rice/archive/2008/08/30/the-holy-grail-of-hellebores.aspx

Rice, Graham; Elizabeth Strangman. The Gardener’s Guide to Growing Hellebores. Newton Abbot, England: David and Charles, 2005.

“Walberton’s® Introductions.” Walberton Nursery.
Available @ http://www.walberton-nursery.co.uk/walbertons-introductions/