Verbena plant named ‘Duplena’

A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant particularly distinguished by its lilac flowers, early flowering, and a spreading habit that is first semi-erect and later spreading.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar ofVerbena,botanically known asVerbena×hybrida.

The new cultivar is propagated from cuttings resulting from the cross of ‘X816-1’ and ‘X-816-2’. ‘X816-1’ is a violet floweringVerbenahaving a spreading habit. ‘X816-1’ is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. ‘X816-2’ is a pink floweringVerbenahaving a spreading habit. ‘X816-2’ is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. Neither ‘X816-1’ nor ‘X816-2’ has been patented.

As a result of this cross the present cultivar was created in 1998 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 newVerbenaplant 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 newVerbena.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 and grown in a 10.5 cm container.

Color readings were taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

Differences between the new cultivar ‘Duplena,’its parents and a similar cultivar‘Duplena’‘X816-1’‘X816-2’‘Temari lilac’Flower colorLight lilacVioletPinkDeep lilacEarlinessEarlyVery earlyLateLateInternode lengthShortShortLongVery longPlant sizeMediumCompactBigBigSeed setNoNoMuchAbundant
The commercial name of the most resembling variety is ‘Temari lilac.’ The patented name of this variety is ‘Sunmaricos’ and its U.S. Plant Pat. No. is 14,292.

The plant

Classification — botanical:Verbena×hybridaParentage:Female parent.—A seedling named ‘X816-1’ is one of our seedlings from our Z-generation of plants bred in 1996.Pollen parent.—A seedling named ‘X816-2’ is one of our seedlings from our Z-generation of plants bred in 1996.Growth habit: SpreadingPlant height: 14-20 cmSpreading area of plant: 35-65 cmGrowth rate: Hanging and vigorousStrength: Resistant to hot and cold weatherBranching character: Freely branching and lateral branching at every nodeBlooming period: From April until November

The stem

The foliage

The bud

The flower

Facing direction: UpwardOutward curvature of petal: Slightly curvedFlower diameter: 18-24 mmFlower height: 16-18 mmFlower tube length: 14-16 mmFlower throat diameter: 2 mmBorne: In a clusterForm: Salverform; sessile on terminal spikesPetal color:Upper side.—Lilac N81A.Lower side.—Lilac N81C.Eye: A very small (1 mm) whitish Eye (155C) is present Typically three out of the five petals exhibit this whitish coloration on the upper side of themOverlapping of the petals: SeparateNumber of petals: Gamopetalous, five lobedShape of the petals: Each petal is obcordatePetal apex: EmarginatePetal base: FusedPetal margin: EntirePetal surface texture: SmoothSize of the petal:Length.—6-8 mm.Width.—6-8 mm.Inflorescence:Length.—25-35 mm.Diameter.—30-40 mm.Calyx length: 8-10 mmCalyx diameter: 2-3 mmAnthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb: Absent.Color of the calyx: Light green 138C (outside surface)No. of flowers per inflorescence: 20-25Fragrance: A very light rosy fragrance occursBloom time of one inflorescence: New florets continue to open over a period of 14 daysLastingness of one flower: 2-5 days

The reproductive organs

The seed

Seedset: No seedset has been observed

The roots

Type of roots: Fibrous. Roots starts to grown 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.