Salvia plant named ‘SGRPU03-0’

A new and distinct Salvia cultivar named ‘SGRPU03-0’ is disclosed, characterized by vigorous plants with a large, upright form and long flowering period. Flowers are dark purple. Calyces are persistent and retain their dark purple color. The new variety is a Salvia splendens, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species:Salvia splendens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The newSalviacultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Michael Uchneat in Bellefonte, Pa. The objective of the breeding program was to produce newSalvia splendensvarieties with large, upright plant habits in a range of flower colors and with persistent calyx. The crossing resulting in this new variety was made during May of 2012.

The seed parent variety is an unpatented, proprietary,Salvia splendensreferred to as ‘16666-1’. The pollen parent is the unpatented proprietarySalvia splendensvariety referred to as ‘16651-3’. The new variety was identified as a potentially interesting selection in September 2012, at a greenhouse in Bellefonte, Pa.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SGRPU03-0’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed during October of 2012, at a research greenhouse in Bellefonte, Pa. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SGRPU03-0’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SGRPU03-0’ as a new and distinctSalviacultivar:1. Vigorous, large, upright plant larger than mostSalvia splendensin the trade.2. Long flowering period from young plant until frost.3. Calyx are persistent, and color of the calyx is retained.4. Deep purple calyx and purple corolla.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRPU03-0’ are similar to plants of the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRPU03-0’ differ in the following:1. The new variety begins flower early Spring, the seed parent begins flowering much later.2. Size of the new variety is considerably larger than the seed parent.3. Foliage of the seed parent is darker than foliage of the new variety.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRPU03-0’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRPU03-0’ differ in the following:1. The new variety has deep purple flowers, the pollen parent has red flowers.2. The new variety produces more branches than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRPU03-0’ can also be compared to the commercial varietySalvia splendens‘Saucy Purple’, unpatented. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘SGRPU03-0’ differs in the following:1. The new variety has darker purple flower color than this comparator.2. A higher percentage of calyx persistence is observed in the new variety.3. Foliage of the new variety is darker green.4. The new variety is not sterile, whereas ‘Saucy Purple’ appears to be sterile.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGRPU03-0’ can also be compared to the commercial varietySalvia splendens‘Lighthouse Purple’, unpatented. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘SGRPU03-0’ differs in the following:1. The new variety has a darker purple flower color.2. Flowering spikes of the new variety are longer than those of ‘Lighthouse Purple’.

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 ‘SGRPU03-0’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 10° C. to 30° C. The greenhouse is un-shaded, giving bright, normal sunlight conditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.Botanical classification:Salvia splendens‘SGRPU03-0’.

PROPAGATION

PLANT

Pot size of plant described: 1 gallon pot.Height: Approximately 25 cm to top of foliage. Approximately 50 cm to top of flowering plane. Measured from soil level of pot.Plant spread: Approximately 55 cm.Growth habit: Upright.Growth rate: Rapid.Branching characteristics: Moderately well branched. Approximately 2 to 4 branches emerging from a pinch, which branch into another 2 to 4 primary lateral branches.Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 12 cm.Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.5 cm.Quantity of lateral branches: About 16 to 24.Stem:Color.—Near RHS Green 137A. Nodes lightly flushed Violet-Blue N92A.Texture.—Pubescent and ribbed.Internode length: Average range 2.5 to 4.0 cm.Age of plant described: Approximately 20 weeks from 3 rooted cuttings.

FOLIAGE

FLOWER

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Seeds and fruits: Fruit is a paper capsule, approximately 5 mm long and 3 mm wide. Colored near Grey-Purple N187D. Typically 4 seeds per pod, approximately 2 mm long and 2 mm wide. Colored near Brown 200B.Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to pathogens and pests common toSalvia splendenshave been observed. The most common disease is powdery mildew (Golovinomyces chicoracearum, variousOdiumspecies). Common pests include various species ofAphisandMeloidogyne.Temperature tolerance: The new variety is a tender herbaceous perennial, tolerating temperatures within USDA zones 10 to 11.