Shepherdia Cultivar Breeding for Cold-Hardy Silvery Blue Foliage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing varieties of Shepherdia argentea x Sheperdia rotundifolia do not adequately address hardiness, foliage color, propagation ease, and tolerance to drought and cold, limiting their cultivation and use in horticultural settings.

Innovation Solution

The development of the 'Torrey' variety, a cross between Shepherdia argentea and Shepherdia rotundifolia, exhibits improved hardiness, silvery blue foliage, and enhanced drought and cold tolerance, facilitating ease of propagation and cultivation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing varieties of Shepherdia argentea x Sheperdia rotundifolia are used, then cultivation is limited, but hardiness and tolerance to drought and cold are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardiness and tolerance to drought and coldVSAvoidcultivation suitability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by creating a new plant variety with modified genetic parameters that result in improved hardiness and tolerance to drought and cold. The 'Torrey' variety exhibits USDA hardiness zone 5 classification, drought tolerance, and cold tolerance, representing parameter changes in the plant's physiological characteristics compared to existing varieties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If propagation difficulty exists in existing varieties, then cultivation spread is limited, but propagation ease is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropagation easeVSAvoidcultivation spread

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by demonstrating that the 'Torrey' variety propagates readily through cuttings without requiring special propagation techniques or conditions. The plant's own physiological characteristics enable easy rooting and propagation, making the propagation process self-facilitating rather than requiring external intervention or complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If foliage color is not distinctive, then aesthetic value is reduced, but visual appeal is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic valueVSAvoidfoliage color vibrancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by producing a plant variety with distinctive silvery blue foliage that maintains consistent coloration across different growth conditions. The 'Torrey' variety exhibits unique foliage color characteristics with silvery blue hues that provide aesthetic value and visual appeal, representing a deliberate color attribute enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260076278P1Shepherdia plant named 'torrey'

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A new Shepherdia plant particularly distinguished by having a USDA plant hardiness zone hardier than its pollen parent, Shepherdia rotundifolia; outstanding silvery blue foliage which closely resembles the foliage of its pollen parent the Round Leaf Buffaloberry Shepherdia rotundifolia; and ease of propagation and ability to be grown well in a cultivated setting with drought and cold tolerant tolerance, is disclosed.