RutHol1 Japanese Holly Hybrid Growth Habit and Leaf Size

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a new Japanese holly variety with an upright form suitable for use as a hedge plant, topiary, and landscape shrub that offers a faster growth rate and distinct characteristics compared to existing varieties.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'RutHol1' Japanese holly plant, which is intermediate in appearance between Ilex crenata and I. maximowicziana, featuring an upright growth habit, wider in the middle, faster growth rate, and larger leaves, achieved through open pollination and asexual reproduction using stem cuttings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is used as a hedge plant, then it has an upright form suitable for topiary usage, but it has a slow growth rate requiring three to four years to reach saleable size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth rateVSAvoidtime to reach saleable size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the upright growth habit of Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' with the faster growth rate of Ilex maximowicziana through hybridization, creating a new variety that inherits both the desirable form and the improved productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hybridization process changes the genetic parameters of the parent plants, resulting in offspring with altered growth rates that are significantly faster than the slow-growing parent while maintaining the upright form

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is used, then it has an upright growth habit, but it has a height to width ratio of 3.9 which is too tall and narrow for optimal hedge use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight to width ratioVSAvoidsuitability for hedge use

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The new variety exhibits different dimensional proportions in different parts of the plant, being widest at the middle rather than uniformly distributed, creating an optimized shape for hedge applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The hybridization changes the morphological parameters of the plant, resulting in a height to width ratio of 1.5 compared to the parent's 3.9, creating a more compact and hedge-suitable form

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of moving object

If Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' is used, then it has small leaves, but the small leaf size limits its aesthetic appeal and landscape value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleaf sizeVSAvoidmaintenance of parent characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the upright growth habit of Ilex crenata with the larger leaf size of Ilex maximowicziana in the hybrid, achieving both compact form and enhanced foliar characteristics for improved landscape value

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUSPP23905P2Holly plant named `RutHol1`

Publication Date: 2013.09.17 UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC

AI summary

A Japanese holly plant having a unique upright growth habit that makes it suitable for topiary usage, hedge plant usage and as a landscape shrub. The new plant is widest at the middle or central area, with a rounded base and pyramidal apex. The new plant has large leaves and a relatively fast growth rate for a Japanese holly plant.