Clematis plant named ‘TRAJEM’

A new and distinct Clematis hybrid named ‘TRAJEM’ is disclosed, characterized by a unique, very large diameter flowers. Foliage is ternate, and above average in length. Flowers are violet in color, with a pink median line. The new cultivar is a Clematis typically suited for ornamental container and landscape use.

Latin name of the genus and species:Clematishybrid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the result of a breeding program, with the objective to develop new varieties ofClematiswith strong growth and interesting flowers for commercial purposes. The new variety was discovered as a single plant among a group of seedlings of unknown parentage observed by the inventor, Bernard Travers. The discovery was made during 2004. Discovery was made at a commercial nursery in Orleans, France.

After selecting and isolating the new cultivar, asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘TRAJEM’ was first performed at a commercial nursery in St. Jean Le Blanc by vegetative cuttings during 2005. The inventor maintained the original plant, and observed the clones for several years, to establish stability of the characteristics. ‘TRAJEM’ has since produced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type. Public access to plant material first occurred during early Spring of 2014. Before this time, plant material was under the control of the inventor, or those directly authorized by the inventor and no enabling access to plant material occurred. This variety has been applied for Plant Breeder's Right's Protection in the EU, with CPVO application number 2013/1737. A copy of the technical questionnaire is included with the mailing of this application. A grant has not yet issued, and technical exam process has not been completed. Neither the EU application, nor any other publication resulted in an enabling disclosure of ‘TRAJEM’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘TRAJEM’ 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 ‘TRAJEM.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘TRAJEM’ as a new and distinctClematiscultivar:1. Large flowers: 17 to 20 cm in diameter.2. Violet tepals with Light pink Median line3. Lightly wavy tepals4. Light yellow stamens5. Large leaves: up to 26 cm

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Parent varieties are unknown, the breeder is unable to supply records of the crossings.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘TRAJEM’ can be compared to the known commercial varietyClematishybrid ‘Kacpur’ unpatented. TheClematisvarieties have similar large sized flowers. and produce similar amounts of tepals. ‘TRAJEM’ differs from ‘Kacpur in the following:1. ‘TRAJEM’ Violet colored tepals with a light pink median line. The comparator has dark purple tepals with a medium pink median line.2. ‘TRAJEM’ has creamy yellow stamens and anthers. ‘Kacpur’ has white stamens with dark purple anthers.3. ‘TRAJEM’ produces foliage up to 26 cm long. Foliage of ‘Kacpur’ is typically around 13 cm long.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘TRAJEM’ can be compared to the known commercial varietyClematis‘Haku Ookan’, unpatented. TheClematisvarieties have similar flower color and produce similar amounts of tepals. ‘TRAJEM’ differs from the comparator in the following:1. ‘TRAJEM’ has a different tepal than ‘Haku Ookan’.2. ‘TRAJEM’ has Violet flowers, whereas flowers of ‘Haku Ookan’ are darker colored and more Violet-Blue.3. ‘TRAJEM’ produces a larger flower.4. Plants of ‘TRAJEM’ are shorter at maturity than plants of ‘Haku Ookan’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘TRAJEM’ plants grown outdoors in Saint Cyr en Val, France. The growing temperature ranged from approximately −2° C. to 25° C. at night to 8° C. to 33° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.Botanical classification:Clematishybrid ‘TRAJEM’.Age of the plant described: Approximately 8 months.

PROPAGATION

PLANT

FOLIAGE

FLOWER

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Seeds: Seed production not observed.Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests ofClematishas been observed.Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately −20° C. to 45° C.