Compact Cortaderia Evita for Small Borders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pampas grass cultivars are not suitable for smaller borders and larger containers due to their height and slower flowering habit, limiting their versatility in landscaping.

Innovation Solution

The development of 'Evita', a new cultivar of Cortaderia selloana with a shorter height, vigorous growth habit, and early flowering capability, allowing it to thrive in smaller spaces and flower as a young plant, making it suitable for cutting and diverse landscaping applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional Cortaderia selloana cultivars are used, then they provide ornamental value, but they are too tall for smaller borders and containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability for smaller borders and containersVSAvoidplant height

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a culm sport mutant with altered growth parameters. The new cultivar 'Evita' exhibits a reduced height parameter (approximately 120 cm versus 180 cm in parent cultivars) while maintaining other desirable traits, enabling adaptation to smaller landscaping spaces and containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If traditional Cortaderia selloana cultivars are used, then they provide ornamental value, but they flower slowly and require mature plants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflowering speedVSAvoidtime to first bloom

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes through selection of a culm sport mutant that exhibits altered developmental timing. The new cultivar 'Evita' demonstrates accelerated flowering parameter, producing blooms at six months of age compared to the typical one-year maturation period of parent cultivars, thereby reducing the time loss before ornamental productivity begins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If traditional Cortaderia selloana cultivars are used, then they provide ornamental value, but they are not vigorous enough for rapid establishment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth vigorVSAvoidtime to establish

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by propagating a culm sport mutant with enhanced growth parameters. The new cultivar 'Evita' exhibits increased vigor parameter, establishing rapidly in six months from division and demonstrating more vigorous growth habit compared to parent cultivars, thereby reducing the duration required for landscape establishment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSPP18312P3Cortaderia plant named `Evita`

Publication Date: 2007.12.11 PETERS KLAUS

AI summary

A new cultivar of Cortaderia selloana named ‘Evita’, characterized by its short stature, its showy plumes of silvery white flowers, its vigorous growth habit, and its ability to flower as a young plant. ‘Evita’ is a Cortaderia that is suitable for small borders, larger containers, and for use as a dried and fresh cut flower.