A new cultivar of Lavandula plant named ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ that is characterized by early and repeat flowering, dense plant habit, short peduncle length, and fragrant flower spikes with medium length dark-pink sterile bracts. In combination, these traits at ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ apart from all other existing varieties of Lavandula known to the inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of lavender known botanically asLavandula stoechasand hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’.

The newLavandulacultivar named ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ is one individual selection in the Australian lavender ‘Ruffles Series’ that resulted from a formal breeding program. The breeding program was established in November 2001 and conducted by the inventor, at the inventor's nursery in Victoria, Australia. The inventor, a specialist in the genusLavandula,selected ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ in 2003. Selection was based on a combination of early and repeat flowering, dense plant habit, dark-pink sterile bract color, medium sterile bract length, and short peduncle length.

‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ is a selection arising from the controlled cross-pollination ofLavandula stoechas‘Kew Red’ (unpatented) as the female parent, andLavandula stoechas‘Pukehou’ (unpatented) as the male parent. Cross-pollination of the parent plants took place in Park Orchards, Victoria, Australia in November 2001. From this cross the F1generation was raised in February 2002 and grown to flowering maturity in September 2002. At this stage the F1generation was self-pollinated and the seed sown in February 2003. From these F2seedlings a selection was made when the plants had grown to flowering stage in 140 mm. containers.

‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ is a perennial suitable for use in container and in the landscape. Cultural requirements include full sun, adequate but not excess water, and well-draining soil. Mature height is 60 cm. and mature width is 70 cm. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits early and repeat flowering, dense plant habit, scented green foliage, short peduncle length, and scented flower spikes with medium length sterile bracts that are dark-pink in color.

The traits that distinguish ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ from the female parent ‘Kew Red’ are sterile bract length, and plant habit. ‘Kew Red’ exhibits short sterile bract length, and very dense plant habit, whereas ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits longer sterile bracts, and less dense plant habit. The traits that distinguish ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ from the male parent ‘Pukehou’ are peduncle length, plant habit, and sterile bract color. ‘Pukehou’ exhibits long peduncle length, medium to sparse plant habit, and purple sterile bract color, compared to ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ that exhibits short peduncle length, dense plant habit, and sterile bracts that are dark-pink in color.

The newLavandulacultivar, named ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in 2004. Asexual propagation was accomplished at the inventor's nursery in Australia, and the method utilized was tip cuttings. Since that time ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ has been determined stable, and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newLavandulacultivar named ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ from all other existing varieties ofLavandulaknown to the inventor. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, without however, any variance in genotype.1. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits dense plant habit.2. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits scented flower spikes with sterile bracts that are medium in length and dark-ink in color.3. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits repeat flowering.4. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits fragrant green foliage.5. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ is one selection in the Australian lavender ‘Ruffles Series’ that blooms an average of two weeks earlier than many lavenders in commerce.6. Cultural requirements for ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ are full sun, adequate but not excess water and well-draining soil.7. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ exhibits short peduncle length.8. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ is 60 cm in height and 70 cm. in width at maturity.9. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ is asexually propagated utilizing the method of tip and stem cuttings.10. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ is suitable for use as an ornamental plant in container or in the landscape.11. ‘MULBERRY RUFFLES’ is hardy to USDA Zone 8.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT