Coleus plant named ‘UF0646’

‘UF0646’ is a new coleus plant distinguished by having excellent red-magenta color in both sunny and shady locations. It appears more rose-red under high light intensities, and has exceptional branching and growth habit, and good sun and heat tolerance. It has desirable characteristics that allow it to retain its leaves in the garden landscape for an extended period of time during the normal growth season compared to most coleus varieties. It is an excellent variety for commercial production due to excellent adventitious rooting characteristics of vegetative propagules (cuttings), and subsequent vigorous growth in greenhouse conditions. ‘UF0646’ has proven to be an excellent performing variety in preliminary outdoor trials across the United States, and should be an excellent choice to add vibrant long lasting annual red color to gardens across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofcoleusplant named ‘UF0646’. ‘UF0646’ originated from an open pollination conducted in March 2006 in Gainesville, Fla. between the femalecoleusplant ‘Elfers’ (unpatented) and an unknown malecoleusplant. A single seedling was chosen in March 2006 for further asexual propagation in Gainesville, Fla.

‘UF0646’ has been reproduced asexually for over three and one-half years through vegetative cuttings and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Canada on Mar. 13, 2009. ‘UF0646’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of ‘UF0646’ when grown under normal horticultural practices in Gainesville, Fla.1. Excellent color for both sunny and shady locations, but appears more rose-red under high light intensities;2. Exceptional branching and growth habit;3. Foliage retention for an extended period of time; and4. Good sun and heat tolerance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘UF0646’. The detailed description was taken on 3-month-old plants from cuttings, growing in a greenhouse in 1 gallon pots in Gainesville, Fla. in summer 2009. The plants were pinched one month after cutting. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 2001 Edition.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

When ‘UF0646’ is compared to the female parent ‘Elfers’ (unpatented), ‘UF0646’ has uniform red-magenta leaves, while ‘Elfers’ has multicolored leaves of maroon, pink, and green, with spots of yellow.

When ‘UF0646’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘BIG RED JUDY’ (patent status unknown), ‘UF0646’ has a less vigorous and more compact branching habit than ‘BIG RED JUDY’. Also, ‘UF0646’ has smaller leaves with brighter and more stable color in sun and shade, and drops its leaves later in the season than ‘BIG RED JUDY’. Additionally, ‘UF0406’ has brighter red foliage color than ‘BIG RED JUDY’, which makes it stand out in the garden in side-by-side comparisons.