Hydrangea plant named ‘HP224902’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘HP224902’, characterized by its compact, upright to outwardly spreading and rounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; freely branching habit with thick and sturdy stems; freely and uniformly flowering habit; rounded lacecap type inflorescences with numerous light yellow green-colored fertile and sterile flowers; and good garden performance.

Description

[0001] Botanical designation: Hydrangea paniculata.

[0002] Cultivar denomination: ‘HP224902’.STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR AND APPLICANT / ASSIGNEE

[0003] A European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Applicant / Assignee of the instant application, Hydrangea Breeders Association B.V. of De Kwakel, The Netherlands on May 13, 2025, application number 2025 / 0999, and published on Aug. 15, 2025. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea paniculata, commercially referred to as a Panicle Hydrangea and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘HP224902’.

[0005] The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in De Kwakel, The Netherlands and Lengerich, Germany. The objective of the breeding program was to create new compact and early-flowering Hydrangea plants with sturdy stems, large inflorescences with numerous showy sterile flowers and good garden performance.

[0006] The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor during the spring of 2016 in De Kwakel, The Netherlands, of Hydrangea paniculata ‘HP217902’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,332, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary breeding selection of Hydrangea paniculata identified as code number 11-0006, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Lengerich, Germany during the spring of 2018.

[0007] Asexual reproduction of the new Hydrangea plant by vegetative tip cuttings in a controlled environment in De Kwakel, The Netherlands since the summer of 2018 has shown that the unique features of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Plants of the new Hydrangea 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.

[0009] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘HP224902’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘HP224902’ as a new and distinct Hydrangea plant:

[0010] 1. Compact, upright to outwardly spreading and rounded plant habit.

[0011] 2. Moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.

[0012] 3. Freely branching habit with thick and sturdy stems.

[0013] 4. Freely and uniformly flowering habit.

[0014] 5. Rounded lacecap type inflorescences with numerous light yellow green-colored fertile and sterile flowers.

[0015] 6. Good garden performance.

[0016] Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the female parent, ‘HP217902’. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘HP217902’ in inflorescence form as inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are lacecap types whereas inflorescences of plants of ‘HP217902’ are mophead types.

[0017] Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in inflorescence form as inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are lacecap types whereas inflorescences of plants of the male parent selection are mophead types.

[0018] Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the Hydrangea paniculata ‘HP217901’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,307. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘HP217901’ in the following characteristics:

[0019] 1. Plants of the new Hydrangea have thicker lateral branches than plants of ‘HP217901’.

[0020] 2. Plants of the new Hydrangea have smaller leaves than plants of ‘HP217901’.

[0021] 3. Plants of the new Hydrangea have darker green-colored leaves than plants of ‘HP217901’.

[0022] 4. Plants of the new Hydrangea have lacecap type inflorescences whereas plants of ‘HP217901’ have mophead type inflorescences.

[0023] 5. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea have fewer sterile flowers than plants of ‘HP217901’.

[0024] 6. Plants of the new Hydrangea have larger sterile flowers than plants of ‘HP217901’.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0025] The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance of the new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

[0026] Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Hydrangea plant.

[0027] The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘HP224902’ grown in a container.

[0028] The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘HP224902’.DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0029] Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the following description were grown during the summer in 17-cm containers in an outdoor nursery in Lengerich, Germany and under cultural practices typical of commercial Panicle Hydrangea production. During the production of the plants, day and night temperatures averaged 15° C. Plants of the new Hydrangea were 17 months old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

[0030] Botanical description: Hydrangea paniculata ‘HP224902’.

[0031] Parentage:

[0032] Female, or seed, parent.—Hydrangea paniculata ‘HP217902’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,332.

[0033] Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary breeding selection of Hydrangea paniculata identified as code number 11-0006, not patented.

[0034] Propagation:

[0035] Type cutting.—By vegetative tip cuttings.

[0036] Time to initiate roots, summer.—About two weeks at temperatures about 23° C.

[0037] Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 18 days at temperatures about 18° C.

[0038] Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four weeks at temperatures about 23° C.

[0039] Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About five weeks at temperatures about 18° C.

[0040] Root description.—Thick; typically whitish brown in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of roots.

[0041] Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.

[0042] Plant description:

[0043] Plant and growth habit.—Compact, upright to outwardly spreading and rounded plant habit; thick and sturdy stems; moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.

[0044] Plant height.—About 50 cm.

[0045] Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 60 cm to 70 cm.

[0046] Lateral branch description:

[0047] Branching habit.—Freely branching habit; when pinched, about twelve lateral branches develop per plant.

[0048] Length, stem axis to base of inflorescence.—About 40 cm to 50 cm.

[0049] Diameter.—About 6 mm to 7 mm.

[0050] Internode length.—About 3 cm to 4 cm.

[0051] Texture.—Smooth, glabrous; fully developed, woody.

[0052] Aspect.—Mostly upright.

[0053] Strength.—Sturdy.

[0054] Color.—Close to 144B; when woody, close to 199A; lenticels, if present, close to 165C.

[0055] Leaf description:

[0056] Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.

[0057] Length.—About 5 cm to 6 cm.

[0058] Width.—About 3 cm to 3.5 cm.

[0059] Shape.—Ovate.

[0060] Apex.—Acute.

[0061] Base.—Obtuse.

[0062] Margin.—Serrulate.

[0063] Texture, upper surface.—Rugose, prominent venation; pubescent.

[0064] Texture, lower surface.—Rugose, prominent venation; glabrous.

[0065] Venation pattern.—Pinnate.

[0066] Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137B. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138A. Fully developed leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A; venation, close to 144A. Fully developed leaves, lower surface: Close to NN137D; venation, close to 144A.

[0067] Petioles.—Length: About 1 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm to 3 mm. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144A.

[0068] Flower description:

[0069] Flower type and habit.—Fertile flowers and showy sterile flowers arranged on terminal lacecap type panicles; fertile and sterile flowers round in shape; panicles rounded in overall shape; fertile and sterile flowers face upright to outwardly depending on their position in the inflorescence.

[0070] Fragrance.—None detected.

[0071] Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about 15 weeks after cold treatment; flowering begins in the early summer and is continuous throughout the summer in Northern Europe.

[0072] Flower longevity.—Fertile flowers last about one month on the plant, fertile flowers not persistent; sterile flowers last about three months on the plant, sterile flowers persistent.

[0073] Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit; about 150 to 250 fertile flowers develop per panicle and about 50 to 100 sterile flowers develop per panicle.

[0074] Panicle height.—About 20 cm.

[0075] Panicle diameter.—About 10 cm.

[0076] Fertile flower buds.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Rounded. Color: Close to 145A.

[0077] Sterile flower buds.—Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Shape: Rounded. Color: Close to 144A.

[0078] Fertile flower diameter.—About 3 mm to 4 mm.

[0079] Fertile flower depth (height).—About 3 mm.

[0080] Sterile flower diameter.—About 4 cm to 5 cm.

[0081] Sterile flower depth (height).—About 1 cm.

[0082] Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: About five in a single whorl. Length: About 2 mm to 3 mm. Width: About 1 mm to 2 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 157D. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 157D; color does not change with subsequent development.

[0083] Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: About five in a single whorl. Length: About 2 mm. Width: About 2 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145C. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145D; color does not change with subsequent development.

[0084] Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: About five in a single whorl. Length: About 1 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Obtuse. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145B. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145B; color does not change with subsequent development.

[0085] Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: About four to five in a single whorl; slightly imbricate. Length: About 2 cm to 2.5 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm to 2 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Serrate. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145A. Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 145C; color does not change with subsequent development.

[0086] Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 2 mm to 3 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Strength: Sturdy. Aspect: Mostly upright. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 145B.

[0087] Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 2 cm to 3 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm to 1.5 mm. Strength: Sturdy. Aspect: About 80° to 90° from branch axis. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 145D.

[0088] Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About nine to ten. Filament length: About 3 mm. Filament color: Close to 157D. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther shape: Round. Anther color: Close to 145D. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 145D.

[0089] Pistils.—Pistil quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Stigma shape: Two to three-lobed. Stigma color: Close to 157D. Style length: About 0.5 mm. Style color: Close to 157D. Ovary color: Close to 157D.

[0090] Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About nine to ten. Filament length: About 3 mm. Filament color: Close to 157D. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther shape: Round. Anther color: Close to 157D. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 157D. Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Round. Stigma color: Close to 145D. Style length: About 1 mm. Style color: Close to 145D. Ovary color: Close to 145D.

[0091] Seeds, only produced by fertile flowers.—Quantity per fertile flower: About 20 to 30. Length: Less than 0.5 mm. Diameter: Less than 0.5 mm. Color: Close to 199A.

[0092] Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Hydrangea grown under commercial production conditions have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Hydrangea plants.

[0093] Garden performance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown to have good garden performance and to be tolerant to wind, rain and temperatures ranging from about−38° C. to about 38° C.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named ‘HP224902’ as herein illustrated and described.

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