Nandina Tuscan Flame Compact Growth Habit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Nandina domestica cultivars lack compact, bushy growth habits and consistent year-round red foliage, requiring regular pruning and lacking distinct ornamental features in inflorescence and fruit visibility.

Innovation Solution

The 'TUSCAN FLAME' cultivar of Nandina domestica exhibits a compact, bushy habit with bright red, finely divided foliage that persists year-round, along with inconspicuous off-white flowers and red fruits obscured by foliage, making it suitable for borders and containers without needing extensive pruning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing Nandina domestica cultivars are grown to achieve full foliage coverage, then foliage color is displayed, but the plant requires regular pruning to maintain size and shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepruning requirementsVSAvoidgrowth habit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and propagating a sport mutation with inherently compact growth parameters. The 'Tuscan Flame' cultivar was discovered as a vegetative branch sport exhibiting naturally compact, bushy habit that requires minimal pruning, thus changing the growth parameter from upright and spreading to compact and bushy without requiring mechanical intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If existing Nandina domestica cultivars are grown to provide foliage color, then green foliage is produced, but consistent year-round red foliage color is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoliage color consistencyVSAvoidfoliage color production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent directly applies color changes by discovering and propagating a sport mutation with red pigmentation. The 'Tuscan Flame' cultivar exhibits bright red foliage color that persists year-round, representing a fundamental color change from the typical green foliage of Nandina domestica. This color change is genetically stable and consistent across generations of asexual propagation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the foliage color parameter from green to red through selection of a natural sport mutation. This parameter change is heritable and stable, providing reliable red foliage color without requiring external inputs or complex cultivation practices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If existing Nandina domestica cultivars are grown to provide ornamental features, then flowers and fruits are produced, but they are prominently visible rather than obscured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance requirementsVSAvoidfoliage density

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a plant with non-uniform foliage distribution that provides different visual effects at different locations. The compact, bushy growth habit creates dense foliage in the upper and outer portions of the plant, which naturally obscures the flowers and fruits produced in the inner portions, thus achieving varied visual quality throughout the plant structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUSPP21940P2<i>Nandina </i>plant named ‘Tuscan Flame’

Publication Date: 2011.05.31 ALPHA NURSERY INC

AI summary

A new cultivar of Nandina plant named ‘TUSCAN FLAME’ that is distinguishable by compact bushy habit and year round bright red foliage that displays an overall lacy effect. In combination these traits set ‘TUSCAN FLAME’ apart from all other existing varieties of Nandina known to the inventor.