Do the names of cultivars ever expire and are replaced with a different name? - Ask Extension
Hello, I'm looking to replace a Tardiva hydrangea tree standard, unable to locate anywhere. My sis in law has indicated she has tree hydrangeas named ...
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Do the names of cultivars ever expire and are replaced with a different name? #872461
Asked June 10, 2024, 4:06 PM EDT
Hello, I'm looking to replace a Tardiva hydrangea tree standard, unable to locate anywhere. My sis in law has indicated she has tree hydrangeas named Quick Fire which possibly has replaced Tardiva...in other words, that the original growers patent on the name has expired and now is replaced. Do you know anything about this? My Tardiva was hardy to Zone 3. Thanks member # 205189
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
As far as I can tell, 'Tardiva' is an older variety of Hydrangea paniculata and not patented. It is not, in and of itself, a tree variety. Several H. paniculata can be pruned to be trees. There are plenty of online sources for H. paniculata 'Tardiva', although it might be hard to find one now. See here:
https://springhillnursery.com/products/tardiva-hydrangea
'Quick Fire' is the name of a recent H. paniculata variety. As far as I know, it is not a replacement for 'Tardiva'.
https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/hydrangea/quick-fire-panicle-hydrangea-hydrangea-paniculata
My understanding is that plants can be patented for 20 years, then go into the public domain. An example is 'Limelight', which recently had its patent expire. 'Quick Fire' is still under its patent. So it would be legal to asexually propagate (by taking a cutting or root division, for example) 'Limelight' but not 'Quick Fire'.
https://springhillnursery.com/products/tardiva-hydrangea
'Quick Fire' is the name of a recent H. paniculata variety. As far as I know, it is not a replacement for 'Tardiva'.
https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/hydrangea/quick-fire-panicle-hydrangea-hydrangea-paniculata
My understanding is that plants can be patented for 20 years, then go into the public domain. An example is 'Limelight', which recently had its patent expire. 'Quick Fire' is still under its patent. So it would be legal to asexually propagate (by taking a cutting or root division, for example) 'Limelight' but not 'Quick Fire'.
Thank you, Yes I understand Tardiva shrubs are easy to come by, but not those trained into a tree standard...by which I mean, I assumed all Tardiva tree standards started out as shrubs and then were somehow pruned into a single main trunk with branches extending laterally. Or is the technique used different than how I understand it? I'm thinking Tardiva is maybe being considered 'old fashioned' and that may be why the tree standard is not so readily available. Thanks again
