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The Patent Garden

US Plant Patent PP18646

Orchid Cascade

Lagerstroemia indica ‘Orchid Cascade’, commonly known as Crepemyrtle

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Patent expired October 19, 2025. This plant is in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell it.

Twenty years from the filing date would end on September 1, 2025. This patent earned 48 days of term adjustment for delay at the Patent Office, which is why it runs longer.

Figure 1 of US plant patent PP18646, the photograph of Orchid Cascade printed in the patent.
Figure 1 from US Plant Patent PP18646, 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
PP18646
Filed
September 1, 2005
Granted
March 25, 2008
Expires
October 19, 2025
Assignee
HAMBUCHEN ROBERT E, HAMBUCHEN BETTY
Inventor
HAMBUCHEN ROBERT E; HAMBUCHEN BETTY

Abstract

‘Orchid Cascade’ is a new and distinct variety of Lagerstroemia indica, commonly referred to as Crepemyrtle. It is a low growing variety where the primary limbs arch and cascade out and downward. It has a height of 16 to 24 inches at maturity with substantially no upward growth. It can reach a width of 40 to 48 inches. This cultivar is an early blooming variety which starts to bloom in early June and is normally in full bloom in plant zone 7B by mid June. It appears to be multi-colored blooming crepemyrtle because of the fading habit of some of its blooms. This color appears to range from a deep lavender/pink to an almost white in appearance with several shades in between. The cultivar is cold hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit and is very highly resistant to powdery mildew.

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 crepemyrtle plant substantially as shown and described characterized by low growing, yet extensive cascading lateral branching that reaches a height of 16 to 24 inches with substantially no upward growth, it is early blooming, profuse and has distinctive lavender pink inflorescences that tend to fade to a lighter color as they mature and it has very high resistance to powdery mildew.

Read the full patent: US Plant Patent PP18646 in full — the complete specification, every figure, and the file history.