Echinacea plant named ‘Catharina’

A new and distinct Echinacea purpurea cultivar named ‘CATHARINA’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive double dark pink flowers and uniquely strong peduncles. The new cultivar also have unique ray florets that resist drooping after harvest. The new variety is an Echinacea, and is normally used as a garden or container plant, and also suitable for cut flower production.

Latin name of the genus and species:Echinacea purpurea.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a chance, whole plant mutation in a commercial nursery in Rijpwetering, the Netherlands. The inventor, Cornelis Petrus van der Meer, a citizen the Netherlands, discovered the new variety as a naturally occurring whole plant mutation among several plants of the unpatented commercial variety,Echinacea purpurea‘Magnus’. The new variety was discovered in Spring of 2006 by the inventor.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘CATHARINA’ by vegetative divisions was performed at a commercial nursery in Rijpwetering, the Netherlands in the Summer of 2006. Subsequently, reproduction has also been successful by tissue culture. Vegetative reproduction by tissue culture has produced several generations, and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type through successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘CATHARINA’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘CATHARINA.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘CATHARINA’ as a new and distinctEchinacea purpureacultivar:1. Distinctive double dark pink flowers.2. Uniquely strong peduncles.3. Suitability for garden uses, and commercial cut flower production.4. Durability of ray florets to resist drooping after harvest.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Catharina’ are similar to plants of the parent varietyEchinacea purpurea‘Magnus’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘CATHARINA’ produce double flowers, or a different color of pink. Additionally, ray florets of ‘Magnus’ will droop within a few days of harvesting flowers for cut flower purposes. Cut flowers of ‘Catharina’ will resist drooping ray florets for a minimum of 7 days.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

In addition to the parent variety, ‘Catharina’ can also be compared to the patented, commercially known varietyEchinacea purpurea‘Pink Double Delight,’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,803. The new variety produces overall darker pink flowers, on a shorter plant. Additionally the ray florets of the new cultivar have a different shape, droop less and remain intact longer after harvesting a cut flower.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘CATHARINA’ plants grown outdoors in Abbennes, The Netherlands. Summer growing temperature ranged from approximately 14 to 33° C. during the day and 6 to 18° C. at night. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types. No chemical or photoperiodic treatments were given.Botanical classification:Echinacea purpurea‘CATHARINA.’

PROPAGATION

Time to initiate rooting: 7 to 10 days at approximately 25° C.Time to produce a young rooted liner: Approximately 40 days at approximately 22° C.Root description: Fine, well-branched, fibrous, becoming slightly woody with age.

PLANT

FOLIAGE

FLOWER

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to diseases or pests normal toEchinaceahave been observed in this variety.Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Hardy perennial, low temperature tolerance to USDA Zone 4, at least. Tolerates high temperature extremely well, to at least 35° C. Some drought tolerance. Plants can be allowed in dry soil for several days without damage.Fruit/seed production: Fruits and seeds have not been observed.