Buddleia SMNBDB Compact Habit and Large Inflorescence

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for new Buddleia plants with strong branches, attractive flower coloration, and improved garden performance, as existing varieties may lack compactness, inflorescence size, and consistent flower color under varying environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A new Buddleia plant, 'SMNBDB', resulting from a cross-pollination between Buddleja hybrida 'Miss Molly' and Buddleia davidii 'SMNBDPT', exhibits a compact, vigorous, and freely branching habit with large, dense conical inflorescences bearing strong reddish-purple flowers, offering improved garden performance and winter hardiness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If existing Buddleia varieties are used, then they may have certain growth habits, but they lack compactness and have smaller inflorescences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflorescence sizeVSAvoidplant compactness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines desirable traits from two different parent varieties through controlled cross-pollination. The female parent 'Miss Molly' contributes vigorous growth and branching habits, while the male parent 'SMNBDPT' contributes compactness and strong reddish-purple flower coloration. The resulting hybrid 'SMNBDB' merges these characteristics to produce a plant with both compact form and large inflorescences, resolving the contradiction between plant size and inflorescence size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If existing Buddleia varieties are used, then they may flower under certain conditions, but flower coloration is not consistently attractive or strong

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower color consistencyVSAvoidbreeding complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The breeding program employed systematic observation and selection feedback mechanisms. The inventor monitored flowering patterns, color intensity, and plant form across multiple generations of the hybrid 'SMNBDB'. By selecting plants that consistently exhibited strong reddish-purple coloration and compact growth, the feedback loop refined the breeding process to reliably produce offspring with these desired traits, overcoming the inconsistency found in existing varieties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing Buddleia varieties are used, then they may adapt to certain environments, but garden performance and winter hardiness are not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidgarden performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hybrid Buddleia 'SMNBDB' was bred to possess multi-functional adaptability, combining the hardiness of Buddleia davidii with the ornamental qualities of Buddleja hybrida. This universal adaptability allows the plant to thrive in diverse garden conditions including varying soil types, moisture levels, and temperature ranges, while maintaining consistent flowering performance and winter hardiness that exceeds the reliability of parent varieties in many environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUSPP33565P2<i>Buddleia </i>plant named ‘SMNBDB’

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 SPRING MEADOW NURSERY INC

AI summary

A new and distinct cultivar of Buddleia plant named ‘SMNBDB’, characterized by its compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; leathery and durable leaves; freely flowering habit; large and dense conical inflorescences with numerous strong reddish purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance and winter hardiness.