Coleonema pulchrum plant

#The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Coleonema pulchrum, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Sunset Gold.

#The new cultivar is a sport of the dwarf form of Coleonema pulchrum, which has been in the New South Wales, Australia nursery trade in recent years under the cultivar designation Coleonema pulchrum compacta or Coleonema pulchrum nana. The new cultivar was discovered in 1970 in New South Wales, Australia in a cultivated field of the parent cultivar, and asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by vegetative propagation of cuttings has established that the combined characteristics of the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

#The new cultivar is particularly characterized by its bright golden foliage, its pink flowers, and dwarf form. The pink flowers often contain paler pink or white areas irregularly distributed on the flower petals.

#The accompanying colored photographic drawings illustrate the new cultivar.

#FIG. 1 shows the dwarf, compact habit of the plant. The true golden color of the plant is not well represented in this photograph because the plants are growing in semi-shade.

#FIG. 2 shows the true autumn color of the plant in the nursery.

#The following description is based on plants grown in New South Wales, Australia in an outdoor environment in accordance with normal commercial practices. Color references are to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1966 edition.

#Growth habit: A low, dense, dwarf type spreading shrub of up to 2 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. The outer branches ascend approximately 45.degree. from the horizontal. The main branch-tips radiate from the center of the plant at a similar angle.

#Branchlets: The secondary branchlets, while the plant is young and vigorous, radiate from the main branches almost horizontally, but on more mature plants about to flower these branchlets are more erect and held closer together. Final branchlets are up to 13/4" long.