Verbena plant named ‘KLEVP12446’

A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant named ‘KLEVP12446’, particularly characterized by having dark red flower color, a freely branching growth habit, and resistance to powdery mildew, is disclosed.

Genus and species:Verbena×hybrida.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety ofVerbena, botanically known asVerbena×hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEVP12446’. The new variety is the result of a cross conducted in July 2008 in Cobbity, New South Wales, Australia between female parentVerbenaplant, ‘F 2’ (unpatented), and male parentVerbenaplant, ‘V842’ (unpatented). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and asexual propagation.

The new variety was first propagated in October 2008 in Cobbity, New South Wales, Australia by vegetative cuttings and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings for three to four generations. ‘KLEVP12446’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety were applied for in Canada on Feb. 6, 2012. ‘KLEVP12446’ has not been made publicly available anywhere in the world more than one year prior to filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in a greenhouse in Sydney, Australia.1. Dark red flower color;2. Freely branching growth habit; and3. Resistance to powdery mildew.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEVP12446’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken in June 2011 on 3-month old plants grown in 12 centimeter pots in a glass greenhouse with a pinch date at week 10. The color readings were determined under natural light. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘KLEVP12446’ differs from the female parent verbena plant ‘F 2’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEVP12446’ has earlier flowering and better center branching than ‘F 2’.

‘KLEVP12446’ differs from the male parent verbena plant ‘V842’, in that ‘KLEVP12446’ has a darker red flower color and larger flower size than ‘V842’.

‘KLEVP12446’ differs from the commercial variety, ‘Duempdared’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,152), in that ‘KLEVP12446’ has better center branching, better leaf quality, larger flowers and earlier flowering time than ‘Duempdared’.