Genus
Ceanothus
8 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 2 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 6 still protected comes off patent on January 11, 2028.
Still under patent — 6 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- FIT02PP20754Ceanothus plant named ‘FIT02’UNDER PATENTJanuary 11, 2028
- Lemon IcePP20938Ceanothus plant named ‘Lemon Ice’UNDER PATENTJanuary 23, 2029
- Cool BluePP24884Ceanothus plant named ‘Cool Blue’UNDER PATENTMay 1, 2033
- MinmadorePP25704Ceanothus plant named ‘Minmadore’UNDER PATENTJanuary 9, 2034
- MATCEA01PP29321Ceanothus plant named ‘MATCEA01’UNDER PATENTJuly 12, 2036
- UMNCNS01PP35845Ceanothus plant named ‘UMNCNS01’UNDER PATENTAugust 18, 2043
Already in the public domain — 2 cultivars
Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell these plants — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.
A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name comes with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked, so they are always free to use. What it does not free is any brand name the plant is marketed under. Those are trademarks and renew indefinitely.