A new and distinct cultivar of Cordyline named ‘ROMA06’ that is characterized by tight rapidly clumping habit and sword-like leaves that are burgundy-red in color. In combination these traits set ‘ROMA06’ apart from all other existing varieties of Cordyline known to the inventor.

BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCordyline, commonly known as cabbage tree or cabbage palm, which is grown as a specimen architectural plant for use in container, border, and modern landscape. Cabbage palms eventually flower, however they are most valued for their attractive foliage, that is enhanced when backlit. The new cultivar from the familyAgavaceaeis known botanically asCordyline pumilio×C. bunksiiand will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘ROMA06’.

‘ROMA06’ arose from a breeding program that has been established by the inventor at the inventor's nursery in Whenuapai, New Zealand. The objective of the breeding program is to produce a series of newCordylinevarieties that exhibit broad leaves, novel foliage color, and naturally tight, rapidly clumping habit.

‘ROMA06’ resulted from the deliberate pollination of the female parent, an individualCordyline pumilio(species, unpatented) and the male parent, an individualCordyline banksii(species, unpatented). During the breeding process the parents were placed in an isolated environment. Pollen from the male parent was transferred to the stigma of the female parent. Resulting seed was germinated and planted out by the inventor. The inventor selected ‘ROMA06’ as a single plant in 2007 based on the criteria of broad leaves, habit, and foliage color.

‘ROMA06’ may be compared with its parents as follows. Whereas the female parent species grows as a very tight clump of short spiky little leaves, the growth habit of ‘ROMA06’ is more open, taller and arching. Whereas the male parent species is very vigorous and quickly achieves a height of 3 meters with a single trunk, ‘ROMA06’ grows with multiple trunks and does not exceed a height of 2 meters. The differences between ‘ROMA06’ and its parents become increasingly apparent with age.

The variety ofCordylinewhich the inventor considers to be closest in characteristics to ‘ROMA06’ isCordylineplant named ‘JURred’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,224). The two varieties may be compared by the width of their leaves. Whereas the leaves of ‘ROMA06’ are less than 2 cm in width, the leaves of ‘JURred’ range between 2 cm and 4 cm in width. In addition, the inventor considers that ‘ROMA06’ more quickly forms a clump with more basal shoot growth than ‘JURred’. The differences between ‘ROMA06’ and ‘JURred’ become increasingly apparent with age.

The distinguishing characteristics of ‘ROMA06’ include light clumping habit and sword-shaped leaves that are burgundy-red in color. After 4 years ‘ROMA06’ achieves a height and width of 0.8 meters with multiple small trunks and white vanilla-scented flowers. Cultural requirements include full sun to partial shade, moderate watering during the growing season which is then reduced in fall and winter. ‘ROMA06’ is asexually propagated by the methods of division and tissue culture. ‘ROMA06’ is hardy in USDA Zone 8.

The inventor first propagated the selected single seedling plant of ‘ROMA06’ in 2007 using the method of division. Subsequently ‘ROMA06’ has been propagated under the inventor's direct supervision by the method of tissue culture. The plants resulting from the first, and from all subsequent generations, have exhibited the identical characteristics as the inventor's original selection. The inventor has determined that ‘ROMA06’ is stable, uniform, 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 ‘ROMA06’. In combination these traits set ‘ROMA06’ apart from all other existing varieties ofCordylineknown to the inventor. ‘ROMA06’ 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. ‘ROMA06’ grows with a tight rapidly clumping habit.2. The foliage of ‘ROMA06’ is broad in comparison with typical varieties of the genus and is burgundy-red in color.3. After 4 years of growth, a plant of ‘ROMA06’ achieves a height and width of 0.8 meters and has formed multiple trunks.4. At 4 years of growth, ‘ROMA06’ is free-flowering with blooms that are pleasantly scented with a vanilla-like fragrance.5. ‘ROMA06’ grows well in moist well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade.6. ‘ROMA06’ is hardy to USDA Zone 8.

All drawings were made using conventional techniques and although color may appear different from actual color due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT