Variegated Cornus Tri-Splendor Cultivar Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Cornus kousa ssp. chinensis cultivars lack variegated foliage and flowers, offering limited aesthetic appeal and differentiation in landscape applications.

Innovation Solution

The development of 'TRI-SPLENDOR', a new cultivar with variegated lime green to yellow to cream foliage, variegated green and cream flowers, and a broader leaf structure, achieved through side veneer grafting for stable asexual propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional Cornus kousa ssp. chinensis cultivars are used, then propagation is straightforward, but aesthetic appeal and visual differentiation are limited due to lack of variegation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropagation easeVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing variegation specifically to the foliage and flower bracts while maintaining the overall plant structure and propagation characteristics of the original species. The variegated pattern creates visual interest through color differentiation in specific regions (margins, centers, and bracts) without altering the fundamental propagation ease of the Cornus kousa ssp. chinensis cultivar.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If variegated cultivars like 'Samzam' are used, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but leaf structure and variegation prominence are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidleaf structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the leaf morphology parameters - specifically increasing leaf size and altering the variegation pattern parameters. The leaves are broader with more pronounced variegation compared to existing cultivars, and the color distribution parameters have been optimized to create three distinct zones (yellow margins, creamy white midsections, green centers) that enhance visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If variegated cultivars like 'Snow Flake' are used, then flower appearance is improved, but bract variegation and visual distinction are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflower appearanceVSAvoidbract surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple color pigments within the flower bracts to create a variegated effect. The bracts exhibit a composite structure with different color zones (yellow margins, creamy white centers) that work together to enhance flower appearance. This composite coloration provides greater visual distinction compared to solid-colored bracts in other cultivars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUSPP20008P2Cornus plant named 'Tri-Splendor'

Publication Date: 2009.05.19 PLANT HAVEN INC

AI summary

A new cultivar of Cornus plant named ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ that is characterized by variegated spring foliage and variegated flowers. The foliage color changes to solid green in the summer and then to reddish-purple in the fall. In combination these traits set ‘TRI-SPLENDOR’ apart from all other existing varieties of Cornus known to the inventor.