Salvia plant named ‘Pluenn’

A new and distinct Salvia cultivar named ‘PLUENN’ is disclosed, characterized by Bright pink flowers, large individual flower size and early flowering. ‘PLUENN’ is highly floriferous and has a compact, upright plant habit. The new variety is a Salvia, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species:Salvia jamensis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Catherine Bernabe, a citizen of France. The objective of the breeding program was to produce highly floriferous plants ofSalvia jamensisin a variety of colors. Plants of the unpatented varietySalvia jamensiswere self-crossed during the Summer of 2002, at a commercial nursery in Henansal, France. The new variety was discovered in the Summer of 204, at the same commercial nursery by the inventor, Catherine Bernabe, in a group of seedlings resulting from that crossing.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘PLUENN’ by vegetative cuttings was performed at the same commercial greenhouse in Henansal, France in 2005 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type on successive generations. All plants of ‘PLUENN’ have been kept confidentially at the nursery in Henansal, France, with the exception of those supplied for Plant Breeders' Rights testing in Spring of 2009. Plant Breeders' Rights were applied for in April of 2008, however, there has been no commercial distribution or access to the variety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘PLUENN’ 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 ‘PLUENN’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘PLUENN’ as a new and distinctSalviacultivar:1. Bright pink flowers.2. Large individual flower size.3. Compact and upright plant habit.4. Early flowering.5. Highly floriferous.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PLUENN’ are similar to plants of the parent,Salvia jamensisunpatented, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘PLUENN’ produce larger flowers than the parent variety, with longer inflorescence.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PLUENN’ can also be compared toSalvia microphylla.Plants of ‘PLUENN’ are similar to plants of,Salvia microphylla,unpatented, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘PLUENN’ produce larger flowers, with longer inflorescence. ‘PLUENN’ also flowers earlier thanSalvia microphylla,and produces overall more flowers and more inflorescence thanSalvia microphylla.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PLUENN’ can also be comparedSalvia jamensis‘La Siesta’ unpatented. Plants of ‘PLUENN’ are similar to plants of,Salvia jamensis‘La Siesta’ most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘PLUENN’ flower earlier, produce more flowers of a brighter color than ‘La Siesta.’ ‘PLUENN’ also produces a more compact overall plant.

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 ‘PLUENN’ plants grown in an unheated plastic covered greenhouse at a commercial nursery in Henansal, France. The growing temperature ranged from 8° C. to 28° C., day and night. The nursery area is un-shaded, giving bright, normal sunlight conditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.Botanical classification:Salvia jamensis‘PLUENN’.

PROPAGATION

Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at approximately 20° C.Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 20 to 25 days at 20° C.

PLANT

Plant spread: Approximately 45 to 50 cm.Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 20 to 25 cm from stem to just under the inflorescence.Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.3 cm.Quantity of lateral branches: About 50 to 60 per plant.Stem:Color.—Youngest near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Oldest near RHS Yellow Green 147A.Texture/pubescence.—Smooth, non-pubescent.Internode length: Approximately 5.5 to 7 cm.Age of plant described: Approximately 30 weeks from a rooted cutting in early spring.Pot size of plant described: 2 liter.

FOLIAGE

FLOWER

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Seeds and fruits: 4 spherical seeds per flower, each less than 0.1 cm in diameter.Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to pathogens and pests common toSalviahave been observed.Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures between 5 to 35° C.