Verbena plant named `Vertis`

A new Verbena plant particularly distinguished by its large white flower, early flowering, no seed set, and a semi-erect habit that becomes spreading as plant develops.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT
 The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Verbena,
 botanically known as Verbena.times.hybrida. The new cultivar is propagated
 from cuttings resulting from the cross of `U1022` `T1183`. `U1022` is a
 white flowering Verbena having a spreading habit. `U1022` is not
 commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. `T1183` is a
 white flowering Verbena having a semi-erect habit. `T1183` is not
 commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. Neither `U1022`
 or `T1183` has been patented. As as a result of this cross the present
 cultivar was created in 1996 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and has been
 repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and
 Sarrians, France over a three year period. It has been found to retain its
 distinctive characteristics through successive propagations, and this
 novelty appears to be firmly fixed.
 This new Verbena plant is an annual in most climatical zones in the US,
 only in zones 9 and 10 it is a perennial plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR
 The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive
 characteristics of this new Verbena. The data which defines these
 characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in
 Enkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 14 weeks old
 plants, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse. Color readings were
 taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Color references are
 primarily to The R.H.S. Color Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of
 London.

Differences between the new variety `Vertis`,
 its parents and a similar cultivar
 Character
 `Temari
 `Vertis` `U1022` `T1183` white`
 Seed set No No Yes Yes
 Leaf form Pinnatifid Pinnatifid Oblong Ovate
 Flower size 14-16 mm 10-12 mm 16-18 mm 20-23 mm
 The Plant
 Classification -- Botanical: Verbena.times.hybrida.
 Parentage:
 Female parent.--A seedling named `U1022` is one of our seedlings from our
 U-generation of plant bred in 1991.
 Pollen parent.--A seedling named `T1183` is one of our seedlings from our
 T-generation of plants bred in 1990.
 Growth habit: Semi-erect, later spreading.
 Plant height: 18-28 cm.
 Spreading area of plant: 40-80 cm.
 Growth rate: Vigorous.
 Strength: Very good.
 Branching character: Freely branching and lateral branching at every node.
 Blooming period: From April until November.
 The Stem
 Diameter: 2-2.5 mm.
 Shape: Tetragonal.
 Color: 141C.
 Anthocyan pigmentation: Absent.
 Length of internode: 35-65 mm, depending on the light where the plant is
 propagated.
 Pubescence: Slightly pubescent.
 The Foliage
 Phyllotaxis: Opposite.
 Shape of blade: Broadly ovate.
 Texture:
 Upper side.--Slightly pubescent.
 Lower side.--Slightly pubescent.
 Venation: Pinnate.
 Leaf margin: Biserrate and irregularly incised.
 Leaf base: Attenuate.
 Leaf apex: Acute.
 Length: 20-45 mm.
 Width: 18-36 mm.
 Depth of incision: 10-20 mm.
 Color:
 Upper side.--Dark green 139A.
 Lower side.--Medium green 141A.
 Pubescence: Some pubescence is present.
 Length of petiole: 5-15 mm.
 Color of petiole: Light green 141C.
 Petiole surface texture: Slightly pubescent.
 The Bud
 Peduncle length: 40-70 mm, depending on season.
 Size:
 Diameter.--2 mm.
 Length.--8-12 mm.
 Shape: Elongated and ovate.
 Color: Medium green 141A.
 Sepals:
 Color.--Light green 137D.
 Form.--Upright.
 Number.--5, fused.
 Size.--7 mm.
 Shape.--Elongated.
 The Flower
 Direction: Ascending.
 Diameter: 14-16 mm.
 Corolla tube length: 16-18 mm.
 Borne: In a cluster.
 Form: Salverform; sessile on terminal spikes.
 Cluster: Spike.
 Color: White 155D.
 Eye: A very small (2 mm) green-white eye (157C) is present. The three lower
 petals exhibit this green-white coloration at their bases.
 Overlapping of petals: Separate.
 No. of petals: Gamopetalous, five lobed.
 Shape of the petals: Each petal is irregularly heart-shaped at the apex and
 grown together at the base.
 Petal margin: Irregularly crenate.
 Petal surface texture: Smooth.
 Size of the petal:
 Length.--6-8 mm.
 Width.--5-7 mm.
 Spike:
 Length.--40-70 mm.
 Diameter.--30-45 mm.
 Calyx: Length of 10-12 mm.
 Anthocyan pigmentation of calyx limb: Absent.
 No. of flowers per spike: 40-65.
 Fragrance: No fragrance.
 Lastingness of the bloom: New florets continue to open in one spike over a
 period of 20 days.
 Reproductive organs: One pistil and four stamens in pairs; color for both
 is yellow green 150D. The pistil size is 15-17 mm in length. Pollen is
 present with a color of yellow 5D. The filaments and anthers are fused to
 the corolla. The anthers are enclosed and not a prominent feature of the
 flower. `Vertis` does not freely set seed.
 Roots:
 Type of roots.--Fibrous. Roots start to grow on every part of the stem that
 contacts the soil, so not only at the nodes.
 Physiological and ecological characteristics: Good tolerance to heat and
 cold. Strong resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery
 mildew.