Dianthus plant named ‘KLEDG22448’

A new Dianthus plant designated ‘KLEDG22448’ particularly distinguished by single, purple-pink flowers with a macule type pattern, entire petal margins, and winter hardy, is disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety ofDianthus, botanically known asDianthus caryophyllusL., and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEDG22448’. ‘KLEDG22448’ originated from an open cross pollination from the proprietary female parent ‘DSS-2016-0163’ (unpatented) and an unknown male parent in 2017 between May and August in Stuttgart, Germany.

A plant line was selected in May 2018 in Stuttgart, Germany, and named ‘KLEDG22448’. In June 2018, ‘KLEDG22448’ was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany. ‘KLEDG22448’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation in Stuttgart, Germany via vegetative cuttings.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of ‘KLEDG22448’ when grown under normal horticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.1. Single, purple-pink flowers with a macule type pattern;2. Entire petal margins; and3. Winter hardy.

DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEDG22448’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. Data was collected in April 2023 from plants 30 weeks from potting on plants that were potted in October 2022 and grown in a plastic greenhouse. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5thedition (2007).Classification:Family.—Caryophyllaceae.Botanical.—Dianthus caryophyllusL.Designation.—‘KLEDG22448’.Type.—Pot carnation.Parentage:Female parent.—‘DSS-2016-0163’ (unpatented).Male parent.—Unknown.Plant:Propagation type.—Vegetative cuttings.Time to produce a rooted young plant.—28 days.Root description.—Fine; roots, color is white, RHS 155A.Rooting habit shape.—Lanceolate.Plant form.—Upright.Plant height.—13.0 cm.Plant diameter or spread.—20.0 cm.Lateral branches/stems:Shape of the branch in cross-section.—Circular.Hollowness of the branch.—Absent.Length.—11.0 cm.Diameter.—0.2 cm.Stem thickness.—Medium.Internode length.—3.5 cm.Internode quantity per branch.—4.Number of internodes per branch/stem.—4.Node length.—0.5 cm.Node diameter.—0.3 cm.Texture.—Smooth.Color.—RHS 137A.Flower clustering on the lateral branch.—In some lateral branches.Foliage:Arrangement.—Opposite.Length.—6.0 cm.Width.—0.4 cm.Shape.—Linear.Apex.—Narrowly acute.Base.—Round.Margin.—Entire.Texture(both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.Cross-section of the leaf.—Weakly concave.Curvature of the leaf.—Absent.Glaucosity of the leaf.—Medium.Leaf color(both immature and mature).—Immature: Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 137A. Mature: Upper surface: RHS N137A. Lower surface: RHS 137A.Venation pattern.—Absent.Flowers:Flower type.—Single.Fragrance.—Absent.Position of the flowers compared to the foliage of the plant.—Same level.Profile of both the upper and lower part in the lateral view.—Flat convex.Diameter of the flower.—3.7 cm.Natural flowering season.—Spring to Autumn.Number of flowers per spray.—2 to 3.Flower longevity on the plant.—14 days.Buds:Length.—2.5 cm.Diameter.—0.6 cm.Shape.—Oblong.Color.—RHS N187C.Extrusion of the styles at the bud stage.—Absent.Corolla:Quantity of petals and arrangement.—6 and arranged in several whorls.Corolla height.—1.0 cm.Petal length.—2.3 cm.Petal width.—1.9 cm.Petal shape.—Obovate.Petal apex.—Obtuse.Petal base.—Acute.Petal margin.—Entire.Depth of petal margin.—Shallow.Petal texture(both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.Petal color.—Immature: Upper surface: RHS N78A. Lower surface: RHS 72B. Mature: Upper surface: RHS 72B. Lower surface: RHS N78B.Macule.—Present RHS 71A.Macule size.—0.3 cm to 0.4 cm at the single petal.Calyx:Quantity of sepals.—Composed of 5 sepals.Longitudinal axis of the lobes of the calyx.—Straight.Shape.—Cylindrical.Calyx height.—1.8 cm.Calyx diameter(at the apex).—0.6 cm.Sepal texture(both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.Sepal color.—Upper surface: RHS N137B. Lower surface: RHS 138B.Position of the outer lobes of the epicalyx in relation to the calyx.—Adpressed.Apex shape of the outer lobes of the epicalyx.—Short acuminate.Tip length of the outer lobes of the epicalyx.—2.2 cm.Apex shape of the inner lobes of the epicalyx.—Medium acuminate.Tip length of the inner lobes of the epicalyx.—1.3 cm.Peduncles:Length.—3.0 cm.Diameter.—0.2 cm.Strength.—Medium.Texture.—Smooth.Color.—RHS 138A.Reproductive organs:Stamens.—Quantity per flower: 10. Filament length: 0.6 cm. Filament color: RHS 145D. Anther length: 0.1 cm. Anther diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Anther color: RHS 153D. Pollen amount: None observed.Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 2. Length: 0.9 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Stigma: Color: RHS N81A. Shape: Filamentous. Length: 0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Style: Color: RHS NN155A. Length: 0.8 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Number: Two. Style shoulder: Absent. Ovary: Color: RHS 145C. Width: 0.3 cm. Texture: Smooth with fine riffles at the base.Fruit and seed set: None observed.Disease and pest/insect resistance: No particular disease or insect resistance observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINE AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘KLEDG22448’ is distinguished from the parental line as described in Table 1.

‘KLEDG22448’ can be compared to the unpatentedDianthusvariety ‘KLEDP07089’ (unpatented). Differences between the varieties are described in Table 2.