Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’

#The present invention, Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’, is a new and distinct form of the ornamental Oriental Fountain Grass, and hereinafter is referred to by the cultivar name, ‘Karley Rose’, or as “the plant”.

#The plant was discovered in July of 1994 by David G. Skwiot at a nursery in Kensington, Conn. It was one plant selected from a large number of other seedling plants grown under cultivation in containers and then separated for further evaluation. Due to the unique and marketable differences in the plant from other Oriental grasses, Mr. Skwiot asexually propagated the plant by division at the same nursery in Kensington, Conn. for further evaluation and to build up stock. The resulting plants are identical to the original parent plant.

#The Oriental Fountain Grass, Pennisetum orientale, is native to the area from central Asia and northern and western India to the Caucasus Mountains. Its foliage at maturity measures eighteen to twenty-four-inches (45 to 60 cm) long and ⅛ to ¼ inch (0.3 to 0.6 cm) wide. Plants form clumps or mounds that are 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm) tall when in flower or fruit. Flowers are formed in terminal spikes that may be one to one and one half inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) wide and six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm) long. The spike is an erect stem with terminal bristled spikelets with the bristles longer than the spikelets. The usual 65 to 70 florets altogether produce an overall cream to creamy pink color, usually about 156 A on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, effective from June into September in Connecticut. The height during flowering may be between 16 and 32 inches (40 to 80 cm). Foliage is normally about a 137 C (on the R.H.S. Colour Chart), and is about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) wide and 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) long.

#The accompanying color photographs illustrate the unique characteristics of the plant, and depict the true colors to the greatest degree possible with color reproductions.

#FIG. 1 shows the plant in flower in a garden situation.

#FIG. 2 shows the plant in its winter habit with normal sun bleached foliage and flowers.

#Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’ is a seedling selection of Oriental Fountain Grass discovered and evaluated at a nursery in Kensington, Conn. The plant is a unique individual that has a more colorful and extended ornamental bloom period. The flower spike on ‘Karley Rose’ starts much darker lavender than other plants of the species known to the inventor, and its color continually deepens as it gets near peak period. The plant consistently shows excellent improved winter hardiness beyond the normal species. It has survived temperatures of at lease −15° Fahrenheit.

#All the following color descriptions are based on the color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Colour Chart and are labeled with R.H.S. and the corresponding identification numbers. The plant herein described is a three year old specimen grown in an irrigated sunny garden in Kensington, Conn.

#Pennisetum oriental‘Karley Rose’ is a unique herbaceous ornamental grass. Individual leave blades are ¼ to ⅜ inch (0.6 to 10 cm) wide and 24 to 30 inches (60 to 75 cm) long. Culms are erect or decumbent becoming erect to a height of 36 to 42 inches (or 91 to 106 cm). Leaves are arching in the flat section, and leaf sheaths rounded on back. The culms are pubescent, and leaves slightly pubescent underneath. Leaves are a green group R.H.S. 137 B. The tight clumps are 36 to 42 inches (91 to 106 cm) high.