Hydrangea CE-01-20 Cultivar with Stable Foliage Color

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla that exhibits unique foliage and inflorescence characteristics, particularly in response to environmental conditions, while maintaining stability and frost tolerance, as existing varieties either lack these traits or are sensitive to frost.

Innovation Solution

The cultivar 'CE-01-20' is developed, characterized by bright yellow foliage turning to yellow-green, compact growth habit, and inflorescences that change color based on aluminum presence in the media, distinguishing it from other Hydrangea macrophylla varieties like 'McKay', 'Lemon Daddy', and 'Yellowleaf'.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing Hydrangea varieties are used, then they have established horticultural characteristics, but they lack unique foliage color stability and frost tolerance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrost toleranceVSAvoidfoliage color stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a Hydrangea macrophylla cultivar with specific genetic parameters that result in stable golden-yellow foliage color and normal frost tolerance. The cultivar represents a change in the biological parameters of the plant, specifically in foliar pigmentation and cold hardiness, while maintaining the species' fundamental characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lemon Daddy' is used, then it has golden-yellow foliage, but the foliage turns green with heat as the season progresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoliage color retentionVSAvoidheat sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a cultivar with localized quality in its foliage - the golden-yellow color is maintained specifically in the leaves throughout the growing season, while other plant parts follow normal developmental patterns. This localized color stability distinguishes it from 'Lemon Daddy' which loses its golden hue in heat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If Hydrangea macrophylla 'Yellowleaf' is used, then it has yellow foliage, but it is very frost sensitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoliage colorVSAvoidfrost sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a cultivar with modified biological parameters that simultaneously achieve yellow foliage color and normal frost tolerance. This represents a dual-parameter change from 'Yellowleaf' which has yellow foliage but poor frost sensitivity, combining color retention with environmental hardiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Illumination intensity

If Hydrangea macrophylla 'McKay' is used, then it has dark green foliage, but it lacks the bright yellow spring foliage characteristic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoliage brightnessVSAvoidfoliage color variation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a cultivar exhibiting dynamic color changes in its foliage - bright yellow in spring transitioning to yellow-green in summer. This controlled color progression contrasts with 'McKay' which maintains constant dark green foliage, representing an intentional color change pattern for ornamental value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

5Shape

If existing Hydrangea varieties are used, then they have established growth habits, but they lack compact rounded to spreading growth habit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth habitVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a cultivar with modified growth parameters resulting in a compact, rounded to spreading habit. This represents a change in the plant's architectural parameters - height, spread, and branching pattern - while maintaining adaptability to various environmental conditions including frost tolerance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The cultivar 'CE-01-20' maintains its golden-yellow foliage throughout the growing season, shows normal frost tolerance, and exhibits distinct inflorescence color changes with aluminum, providing a unique ornamental value and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

Pink mophead inflorescence in non-aluminum-based media and blue inflorescence in aluminium-based media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAluminum-based color change: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUSPP35124P2<i>Hydrangea </i>plant named ‘CE-01-20’

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 PREMIER INTRODUCTIONS INC

AI summary

A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘CE-01-20’ is disclosed, characterized by bright yellow foliage in the spring, turning to yellow-green in the summer, pink mophead inflorescence in non-aluminum based media and blue inflorescence in aluminum based media, and compact, rounded to spreading growth habit. The new variety is a Hydrangea, typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant.