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The Patent Garden

US Plant Patent PP17740

Hearts of Gold

Eastern redbud plant named ‘Hearts of Gold’

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Patent expired May 10, 2025. This plant is in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell it.

Twenty years from the filing date would end on October 15, 2024. This patent earned 207 days of term adjustment for delay at the Patent Office, which is why it runs longer.

Figure 1 of US plant patent PP17740, the photograph of Hearts of Gold printed in the patent.
Figure 1 from US Plant Patent PP17740, reproduced as printed. Photographs in a plant patent are taken by the applicant. Reproduction of the patent document is permitted; the image is shown whole and uncropped for that reason.

The record

Patent number
PP17740
Filed
October 15, 2004
Granted
May 15, 2007
Expires
May 10, 2025
Assignee
ROETHLING JON L
Inventor
ROETHLING JON L

Abstract

‘Hearts of Gold’ is a distinctive variety of Cercis canadensis, which is characterized by its distinct bright golden foliage compared to other cultivars of Cercis canadensis. In addition, one-year-old whips of ‘Hearts of Gold’ produce flower buds, whereas other cultivars of Cercis canadensis generally only produce flowers on older plants. Further, first-year budded ‘Hearts of Gold’ trees appear to be more vigorous and uniform in growth than similar-aged trees of other known cultivars known to the inventor.

Show the legal claimThe single numbered claim as granted — the legal text that defines what this patent covers.

1. A new and distinct variety of Cercis canadensis plant named ‘Hearts of Gold’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Read the full patent: US Plant Patent PP17740 in full — the complete specification, every figure, and the file history.