ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 5 -- United States Patent no. PP36,424, issued on Feb. 4, was assigned to Premier Introductions Inc. (Watkinsville, Ga.).
"Loropetalum plant named 'LRD-51-22'" was invented by Michael Dirr (Bogart, Ga.), Jeff Beasley (Lavonia, Ga.) and Mark Griffin (Watkinsville, Ga.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A new and distinct cultivar of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum plant named 'LRD-51-22', characterized by its compact, low-growing habit; lustrous dark black-purple foliage color that persists through summer and winter; dark pink flowers in spring; and improved cold hardiness compared to other compact purple-leaf cultivars. The new variety is a Loropetalum, typically for orname...