Patent Publication Number: US-PP34408-P2

Title: Veronica plant named ‘VVQRA06-0’

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species:  Veronica longifolia.    
     Variety denomination: ‘VVQRA06-0’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as the result of the crossing of the female parent, an unnamed, unpatented, proprietary  Veronica  and the pollen parent, a different unpatented proprietary  Veronica  referred to as ‘13-130-002’. The crossing was made during July 2017 at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. ‘VVQRA06-0’ was discovered and selected at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif., in December of 2018. 
     Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘VVQRA06-0’ was first performed in Santa Paula, Calif. at a research greenhouse by vegetative terminal cuttings in January of 2019. ‘VVQRA06-0’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The cultivar ‘VVQRA06-0’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. 
     The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘VVQRA06-0’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘VVQRA06-0’ as a new and distinct  Veronica  cultivar:
         1. Compact plant, forming a low mound.   2. Continuous flowering through Summer.   3. Bright pink flowers.   4. First year flowering. No vernalization requirement.   5. Hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.   6. Day-length neutral.       

     PARENTAL COMPARISON 
     Plants of the new cultivar ‘VVQRA06-0’ are comparable to the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘VVQRA06-0’ differs in the following:
         1. Plants of the new variety are more compact than plants of the seed parent.   2. Plants of the new variety have a darker pink flower than the seed parent variety.       

     Plants of the new cultivar ‘VVQRA06-0’ are comparable to the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘VVQRA06-0’ differs in the following:
         1. The new variety produces longer inflorescences than the pollen parent.       

     COMMERCIAL COMPARISON 
     Plants of the new cultivar can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety  Veronica  ‘Skyler Pink’. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new cultivar differs in the following:
         1. Comparator flower color is a lighter pink/lavender color; the new variety produces dark pink flowers.   2. Plants of the comparator variety are significantly taller than plants of the new variety.       

     Plants of the new cultivar ‘VVQRA06-0’ are comparable to the commercial  Veronica  variety ‘Pink Passion’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,360. The two  Veronica  varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘VVQRA06-0’ differs in the following:
         1. Plants of the new variety are taller and narrower than plants of this comparator.   2. Flower color of the new variety is darker pink than flower color of this comparator.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
       The accompanying photograph in  FIG. 1  illustrates in full color typical plants of ‘VVQRA06-0’ grown outdoors in Santa Paula, Calif. These plants are approximately 12 weeks old, growing in the ground. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a close-up view of the inflorescences. 
       The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘VVQRA06-0’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Plants are approximately 7 months old from a rooted cutting.
     Botanical classification:  Veronica longifolia  ‘VVQRA06-0’.   

     PROPAGATION 
     
         
         Time to initiate roots: About 18 days at approximately 20° C. 
         Root description: Vigorous rooting. Root system is larger than above ground plant. Fibrous. Tan to brown, not accurately measured with RHS chart. 
       
    
     PLANT 
     
         
         Plant type: Harding flowering perennial. 
         Growth habit: Mounding and upright. 
         Pot size of plant described: 6 inch. 
         Height: About 30 to 40 cm. 
         Plant spread: About 20 cm. 
         Growth rate: Rapid, with no vernalization requirement. 
         Branching characteristics: Strong basal branching. Average range 3 to 5 main stems/branches per individual plant. 
         Length of primary lateral branches: About 15 to 20 cm. 
         Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 3 to 6 mm. 
         Texture of lateral branches: Smooth. 
         Shape of branch/stem: Round, developing to be slightly quadrangular with maturity. 
         Internode length: 2 to 4 cm. 
         Strength of stem: Very strong. 
         Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Green 137B. 
         Aspect/angle of branches: Very upright, acute angle. Straight. 
         Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 10 to 12 pairs (over 30 cm of stem). 
       
    
     FOLIAGE 
     
         
         Leaf:
             Arrangement.— Opposite (in pairs). Simple.     Quantity.— Approximately 10 to 12 fully expanded per stem.     Average length.— 5.5 cm.     Average width.— 15 mm.     Shape of blade.— Lanceolate.     Apex.— Acute.     Base.— Clasping.     Attachment.— Sessile.     Margin.— Entire.     Texture of top surface.— Sparsely pubescent.     Texture of bottom surface.— Smooth.     Pubescence.— None.     Color.— Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B.     Venation.— Type: Linear. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Green 143C. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 143D.       
     
       
    
     FLOWER 
     
         
         Natural flowering season: Continuous flowering from late Spring until Fall. 
         Inflorescence:
             Arrangement.— Terminal raceme. Narrow triangular in shape.     Inflorescence height.— 12 cm to 15 cm.     Inflorescence width.— 1.7 cm.     Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.— Approximately 100 to 120. Moderate density.     Typical quantity of inflorescence per plant.— 40 to 60, at once time.     Lastingness.— Individual inflorescences last about 2 months, depending upon environmental conditions.       
     
         Individual flower form/shape: Campanulate. 
         Flower:
             Diameter of entire flower.— Approximately 1 cm.     Length of flower.— Approximately 0.7 cm.     Aspect.— Outwardly facing.       
     
         Petals:
             Quantity.— 4.     Arrangement.— Cruciform, fused at the base.     Length.— 0.5 cm.     Width.— 0.2 cm.     Shape.— Broadly linear.     Apex.— Rounded.     Base.— Fused.     Margin.— Entire.     Texture, upper and lower surfaces.— Glabrous.     Appearance upper and lower surfaces.— Matte.     Color.— When opening, upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 71B. When opening, lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 71B. Fully opened, upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67A. Fully opened, lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 70C.     Corolla tube.— Length: 3 mm. Color: Interior: Near RHS Red-Purple 67A. Exterior: Near RHS Red-Purple 67A.       
     
         Calyx/sepals:
             Shape.— 4 lobes fused at base to form a tube.     Apex.— Acute.     Base.— Fused.     Length.— Total length approximately 4 mm, lobes 1-2 mm.     Width.— Approximately 2-3 mm.     Texture.— Finely pubescent.     Color.— RHS Green 138B.       
     
         Peduncle:
             Peduncle length.— Approximately 2.0 to 5.0 cm.     Peduncle diameter.— Approximately 3 mm.     Color.— Between RHS Green 138A.     Peduncle texture.— Finely pubescent.     Strength.— Very strong.       
     
         Pedicels:
             Pedicel length.— Approximately 2 mm.     Pedicel diameter.— Approximately 1 mm.     Angle.— Approximately 45° from attachment.     Color.— Between RHS Green 138A.     Pedicel texture.— Finely pubescent.     Strength.— Flexible, strong.       
     
         Bracts:
             Shape.— Narrow deltoid.     Length.— 10 to 15 mm.     Width.— Approximately 3-5 mm.     Texture.— Finely pubescent.     Color.— RHS Green 138A.       
     
         Bud:
             Shape.— Elongated ovate.     Length.— Approximately 4 to 5 mm.     Diameter.— Approximately 2.5 mm.     Color.— Near Red-Purple N66C.     Texture.— Glabrous.       
     
         Fragrance: None. 
       
    
     REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
     
         
         Stamens:
             Number.— 2.     Filament.— Length: 0.8 cm. Color: RHS Red-Purple 65B.     Anthers.— Shape: Oblong. Length: 2 mm. Color: RHS Red-Purple 59D. Pollen: Not observed.       
     
         Pistil:
             Number.— 1.     Length.— Approximately 2.5 cm.     Style.— Number: 2. Length: Approximately 8 mm. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 59B.     Stigma.— Length: About 1 mm. Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple 59B.     Ovary.— Diameter: About 3 mm. Length: About 4 mm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.       
     
       
    
     OTHER CHARACTERISTICS 
     
         
         Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. 
         Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of  Veronica  has been observed. 
         Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 4 through 8 tolerant.