Lobelia plant named ‘LOBZ0008’

A new Lobelia plant named ‘LOBZ0008’ particularly distinguished by medium large, light blue flowers with narrow white markings, strong stems with medium long inflorescences, dark green foliage, rounded leaves, free branching, and a compact, tight and upright plant habit.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:Lobelia erinusL.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofLobelia, botanically known asLobelia erinus, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘LOBZ0008’.

‘LOBZ0008’ is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar has medium large, light blue flowers with narrow white markings, strong stems with medium long inflorescences, dark green foliage, rounded leaves, free branching, and a compact, tight and upright plant habit.

‘LOBZ0008’ originates from a hybridization made in May 2008 in Andijk, The Netherlands.

The female parent was the proprietary (now commercial)Lobeliaplant ‘Tech Heplib’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,760, initially designated ‘LOB04-286-1’, having light blue flowers, upright plant habit with dark leaves and strong, short stems. This variety has smaller flowers and darker green foliage than ‘LOBZ0008’.

The male parent of ‘LOBZ0008’ was the proprietaryLobeliaplant identified as ‘LOB07-204-2’ (unpatented), with deeper blue flower color, longer stems, and more trailing plant habit than ‘LOBZ0008’.

The resulting seed was sown in June 2009 and ‘LOBZ0008’ was selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in August 2009 in a controlled environment in Andijk, The Netherlands.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘LOBZ0008’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were propagated from the initial selection in January 2010 in a controlled environment in Andijk, The Netherlands.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Horticultural examination of plants grown from cuttings of the plant initiated in the spring of 2011 in Andijk, The Netherlands, and continuing thereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘LOBZ0008’ are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

A Plant Breeder's Right for this cultivar was applied for with the European Union on Aug. 29, 2014, No. 2014/2116. ‘LOBZ0008’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing of this application.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of the new variety. The combination of these characteristics distinguishes thisLobeliaas a new and distinct variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs were taken in late April 2014 from plants grown in a greenhouse trial in Andijk, The Netherlands. The potted plants were growing on benches in a greenhouse and were approximately 12 weeks of age.

The observations and measurements were taken in Andijk, The Netherlands on Aug. 5, 2015 on 12-14 week old plants that were growing outdoors in 25 cm containers. Culture of these plants had started in May 2015 with the planting of rooted cuttings, 1 plant per container, and pinching about two weeks later.