Walter Brown
| Denomination: | 'Walter Brown' |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Thuja occidentalis |
| Applicant/Holder: |
Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. 12601 120th Avenue Grand Haven, Michigan 49417 United States of America |
| Breeder: |
Walter Brown, South Kingston, United States of America |
| Agent in Canada: |
BioFlora Inc. 38723 Fingal Line R.R. #1 St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 3S5 Canada Tel: 519-317-7511 |
| Application Date: | 2003-08-12 |
| Application Number: | 03-3812 |
| Grant of Rights Date: | 2006-11-28 |
| Certificate Number: | 2639 |
| Date rights surrendered: | 2010-01-11 |
Variety Description
Varieties used for comparison: 'Techny' and 'Yellow Ribbon'
Summary: 'Walter Brown' has a broad pyramidal plant shape while 'Yellow Ribbon' has a narrow pyramidal shape. 'Walter Brown' has a taller plant height than 'Yellow Ribbon'. 'Walter Brown' has a shorter spray length than 'Techny' and a longer spray length than 'Yellow Ribbon'. 'Walter Brown' has a denser spray than 'Techny'. 'Walter Brown' has a longer second order branchlet than 'Yellow Ribbon' and a denser second order branchlet than 'Techny'. The colour of the upper most leaves on new growth is yellow green for 'Walter Brown' while it is yellow for 'Yellow Ribbon'. The colour of the leaves on branchlets is brown green for 'Walter Brown' while it is dark green for 'Yellow Ribbon'.
Description:
'Walter Brown' has an upright growth habit and is broad pyramidal in shape. 'Walter Brown' has dense foliage and has many first order branches. The mature stem is dark brown in colour and medium in thickness. The branchlet is yellow brown in colour. The spray has a planar arrangement and is medium to dense. The density of second order branchlets is medium.
The leaves are arranged in two ranks of opposite pairs. The flat leaf pair is ovate to rhomboidal in shape and the side pair is keeled and folded. The leaf apex is acute. The leaf has a moderate fragrance. The upper leaves on new growth are yellow green and the leaves on branchlets are brown green. The leaf colour in the winter and spring is yellow-green.
Origin & Breeding History: 'Walter Brown' was discovered in 1999 at the breeder's nursery in South Kingston, Rhode Island, USA. It originated as a naturally occurring mutation of the variety 'Techny'. It was selected based on its bright yellow foliage and strong hardiness characteristics. The new variety was first propagated by softwood and hardwood cuttings in 1999.
Tests & Trials: 'Walter Brown' was tested in an outdoor container trial during the summers of 2004 and 2005, in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. All shrubs were grown from 2 1/4 inch liners and planted into 2 gallon containers in May 2004. Plants were arranged in rows with approximately 1 metre spacing between plants. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on August 22, 2005. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 RHS colour chart.
Comparison tables for 'Walter Brown' with reference varieties 'Techny' and 'Yellow Ribbon'
Plant height (cm)
| 'Walter Brown' | 'Techny' | 'Yellow Ribbon' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mean | 50.5 | 53.4 | 37.8 |
| std. deviation | 5.84 | 6.96 | 4.88 |
Plant width (cm)
| 'Walter Brown' | 'Techny' | 'Yellow Ribbon' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mean | 50.5 | 50.0 | 34.8 |
| std. deviation | 3.98 | 4.22 | 3.61 |
Length of spray (cm) (first order branchlet)
| 'Walter Brown' | 'Techny' | 'Yellow Ribbon' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mean | 15.7 | 20.3 | 12.7 |
| std. deviation | 1.83 | 2.73 | 1.90 |
Length of second order branchlets (cm)
| 'Walter Brown' | 'Techny' | 'Yellow Ribbon' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mean | 9.4 | 9.5 | 5.9 |
| std. deviation | 0.79 | 1.72 | 1.42 |
Colour of uppermost leaves (RHS)
| 'Walter Brown' | 'Techny' | 'Yellow Ribbon' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| on new growth | 144B-C | 144A | 9B |
Main colour of leaves on branchlets (RHS)
| 'Walter Brown' | 'Techny' | 'Yellow Ribbon' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| upper side | 137C | 137C | 144A |
Click on image for larger view
Cedar: 'Walter Brown' (left) with reference variety 'Yellow Ribbon' (centre) and 'Techny' (right)
- Date modified: