Physocarpus plant named ‘SMNPOFT’

[0001] Botanical designation: Physocarpus opulifolius.

[0002] Cultivar denomination: ‘SMNPOFT’.

[0003] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Physocarpus plant, botanically known as Physocarpus opulifolius, commonly referred to as Ninebark and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘SMNPOFT’.

[0004] The new Physocarpus is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Grand Haven, Michigan. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new compact and freely branching Physocarpus plants with unique leaf shape and color and resistance to Powdery Mildew.

[0005] The new Physocarpus plant originated from an open-pollination during the summer of 2016 in Grand Haven, Michigan of a proprietary selection of Physocarpus opulifolius referred to as “SWF2 Mini”, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with an unknown proprietary selection of Physocarpus opulifolius as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Physocarpus plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor during the summer of 2021 as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled environment in Grand Haven, Michigan.

[0006] Asexual reproduction of the new Physocarpus plant by softwood stem cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Grand Haven, Michigan since the summer of 2021 has shown that the unique features of this new Physocarpus plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

[0007] Plants of the new Physocarpus have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0008] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SMNPOFT’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SMNPOFT’ as a new and distinct Physocarpus plant:

• • [0009] 1. Upright to outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit.
  • [0010] 2. Vigorous growth habit.
  • [0011] 3. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance.
  • [0012] 4. Semi-glossy dark reddish brown-colored leaves with a burnt orange to yellow green-colored centers that when developed are dark reddish brown to almost black in color.
  • [0013] 5. Numerous large and dense corymbs with purplish pink-colored flower buds that develop into light purplish pink-colored flowers.
  • [0014] 6. Resistant to Powdery Mildew.
  • [0015] 7. Good garden performance.

[0016] Plants of the new Physocarpus can be compared to plants of the female parent selection, “SWF2 Mini”. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Physocarpus differ primarily from plants of “SWF2 Mini” in the following characteristics:

• • [0017] 1. Plants of the new Physocarpus have larger leaves than plants of “SWF2 Mini”.
  • [0018] 2. Flowers of plants of the new Physocarpus are light purplish pink in color whereas flowers of plants of “SWF2 Mini” are white in color.

[0019] Plants of the new Physocarpus can be compared to plants of Physocarpus opulifolius ‘SMNPOBLR’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,695. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Physocarpus differ primarily from plants of ‘SMNPOBLR’ in the following characteristics:

• • [0020] 1. Leaves of plants of the new Physocarpus are darker in color than leaves of plants of ‘SMNPOBLR’.
  • [0021] 2. Flowers of plants of the new Physocarpus are light purplish pink in color whereas flowers of plants of ‘SMNPOBLR’ are white in color.

[0025] Plants used for the aforementioned photographs were grown in an outdoor nursery in Grand Haven, Michigan during late spring and summer and were two years old.

[0026] The following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown in the late spring and early summer in three-gallon containers in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse in Grand Haven, Michigan and under cultural practices typical of commercial Physocarpus production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 27° C. and night temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 10° C. Plants were two years old when the detailed description were taken. In the description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

• [0027] Botanical classification: Physocarpus opulifolius ‘SMNPOFT’.
• [0028] Parentage:
  • • [0029] Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Physocarpus opulifolius referred to as “SWF2 Mini”, not patented.
    • [0030] Male, or pollen, parent.—Unknown proprietary selection of Physocarpus opulifolius, not patented.
• [0031] Propagation:
  • • [0032] Type.—By softwood stem cuttings.
    • [0033] Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 25 days at temperatures ranging from about 18° C. to 27° C.
    • [0034] Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 60 days at temperatures ranging from about 18° C. to 27° C.
    • [0035] Root description.—Medium in thickness; fleshy to fibrous; typically white and/or brown in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.
    • [0036] Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density to dense.
• [0037] Plant description:
  • • [0038] Plant form and growth habit.—Perennial deciduous shrub; upright to outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.
    • [0039] Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 65 cm.
    • [0040] Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 65 cm.
    • [0041] Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 80 cm.
• [0042] Lateral branch description:
  • • [0043] Branching habit.—Freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance with about 20 primary lateral branches developing per plant.
    • [0044] Length.—About 50 cm.
    • [0045] Diameter.—About 5 mm.
    • [0046] Internode length.—About 4 cm.
    • [0047] Aspect.—Erect to about 15° from vertical.
    • [0048] Strength.—Moderately strong to strong.
    • [0049] Texture and luster.—Smooth, glabrous; longitudinally ridged; semi- glossy.
    • [0050] Color, developing.—Close to 166A.
    • [0051] Color, developed.—Close to 176A and 183A; if woody, close to 200A to 200B.
• [0052] Leaf description:
  • • [0053] Arrangement.—Alternate, simple.
    • [0054] Length.—About 7 cm.
    • [0055] Width.—About 5.5 cm.
    • [0056] Shape.—Deltoid.
    • [0057] Apex.—Narrowly acute.
    • [0058] Base.—Truncate.
    • [0059] Margin.—Lobed and doubly serrate; sinuses medium in depth.
    • [0060] Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy.
    • [0061] Venation pattern.—Pinnate.
    • [0062] Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 200C; centers, close to 166A and N144A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to N148A tinted with close to 166A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 200B; venation, close to 146A; colors do not change in the autumn. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 148A; venation, close to N148A; colors do not change in the autumn.
    • [0063] Petioles.—Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close 166A.
    • [0064] Stipules.—Quantity and arrangement: Two, opposite, at the base of the petiole. Length: About 1 cm. Width: About 2 mm. Shape: Oblong. Color: Close to 148A.
• [0065] Flower description:
  • • [0066] Flower appearance and arrangement.—Star-shaped rotate flowers arranged in terminal and axillary corymbs; freely flowering habit with about 80 flowers per inflorescence and about 7,000 flowers developing per plant; flowers face upright to outwardly depending on their position on the corymb.
    • [0067] Fragrance.—None detected.
    • [0068] Natural flowering season.—Plants flower during the early summer (May and June) in Michigan.
    • [0069] Flower longevity.—Depending on temperature, individual flowers last about two weeks on the plant; flowers not persistent.
    • [0070] Flower buds.—Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Globose. Texture and luster: Slightly pubescent; matte. Color: Close to 63C.
    • [0071] Inflorescence height.—About 3 cm.
    • [0072] Inflorescence diameter.—About 5 cm.
    • [0073] Flower diameter.—About 1 cm.
    • [0074] Flower length (depth).—About 6 mm.
    • [0075] Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a single whorl, not fused. Length: About 3 mm. Width: About 3 mm. Shape: Roughly orbicular. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire; not undulate. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; silky; matte. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 62C; towards the margins, close to 62D. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 62D; venation, close to 62D; colors becoming closer to N155B with development.
    • [0076] Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a single whorl fused at the base into a stellate-shaped calyx. Length: About 4 mm. Width: About 2 mm. Shape: Deltoid. Apex: Narrowly acute. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to 193A. When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 193A.
    • [0077] Peduncles.—Length: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Aspect: About 20° to 60° from the lateral branch axis. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to N144A.
    • [0078] Pedicels.—Length: About 1 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Aspect: About 45° from the peduncle axis. Strength: Moderately strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; semi-glossy. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to N144A.
    • [0079] Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About 35. Filament length: About 4 mm. Filament color: Close to NN155A. Anther length: About 0.5 mm. Anther shape: Globose. Anther color: Close to 185C. Pollen amount: Sparse to moderate. Pollen color: Close to 155A. Pistils: Quantity per flower: About four. Pistil length: About 4 cm. Style length: About 3.5 cm. Style color: Close to 12D. Stigma diameter: About 0.5 mm. Stigma shape: Rounded and peltate. Stigma color: Close to 12C. Ovary color: Close to 12D. Fruits: Quantity: More than 1,000 fruits develop per plant. Length: About 1 cm. Diameter: About 1 cm. Shape: Elliptic. Color: Close to 42B. Seeds: Quantity: About three to eight seeds develop per fruit. Length: About 1 mm. Diameter: About 0.5 mm. Shape: Ovate. Color: Close to 159A.
• [0080] Garden performance: Plants of the new Physocarpus have been observed to have good garden performance and tolerate rain, wind and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 7.
• [0081] Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Physocarpus have been shown to be resistant to Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera physocarpi). To date, plants of the new Physocarpus have not been shown to be resistant to pests and other pathogens common to Physocarpus plants.