Verbena plant named ‘KLEVP12449’

Genus and species: Verbena×hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEVP12449’.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Verbena , botanically known as Verbena×hybrida , and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEVP12449’. The new variety is the result of a cross conducted in April of 2008 in Cobbity, New South Wales, Australia between female parent Verbena plant, ‘1S112’ (unpatented), and male parent Verbena plant, ‘V842’ (unpatented). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and asexual propagation.

The new variety was first propagated in October 2009 in Cobbity, New South Wales, Australia by vegetative cuttings and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings for three to four generations. ‘KLEVP12449’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety were applied for in Canada on Feb. 6, 2012. ‘KLEVP12449’ has not been made publicly available anywhere in the world more than one year prior to filing of this application.

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in a greenhouse in Sydney, Australia.

1. Large flower with white eye; 2. Freely branching growth habit; and 3. Extremely good branching.

This new Verbena plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows the foliage and inflorescences of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photograph is of a plant about 3 months old, taken in the spring of 2012, grown from a rooted cutting in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany under normal horticultural practices.

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEVP12449’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken in the spring of 2012 on 3-month old plants grown in 12 centimeter pots in a glass greenhouse with a pinch date at week 10. The color readings were determined under natural light. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

Classification:

Family .—Verbenaceae. Genus and species.—Verbena×hybrida. Common name.—Verbena. Denomination .—‘KLEVP12449’.

Parentage:

Female parent.—Verbena plant, ‘1S112’ (unpatented). Male parent.—Verbena plant, ‘V842’ (unpatented).

Plant:

Form .—Semi-trailing. Growth and branching habit .—Freely branching. Height ( from top of soil ).—Approximately 10.0 cm. Width ( horizontal plant diameter ).—Approximately 40.0 cm. Time to produce a finished flowering plant .—Approximately 8 weeks. Time to initiate and develop roots.— 3 weeks. Root description .—Fine; white, RHS 155B.

Stems:

Number of branches per plant .—Greater than 20. Length .—Approximately 20.0 cm. Diameter per branch ( measured from the midpoint ).—2.0 mm. Internode length.— 3.0 cm. Color .—RHS 139C. Anthocyanin .—Absent. Texture and appearance .—Short pubescence.

Leaves:

Arrangement .—Opposite. Color .—Upper surface (both immature and mature leaves): RHS 139C. Lower surface (both immature and mature leaves): RHS 139D. Length.— 2.5 cm. Width.— 1.5 cm. Shape .—Elliptic. Apex .—Cuspidate. Base .—Closed. Margin .—Serrated. Texture ( both surfaces ).—Leathery. Venation pattern .—Palmate. Venation color .—RHS 139C. Petioles .—Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.2 cm. Color: RHS 139C. Texture: Rough.

Flower buds:

Shape .—Tall cylinder. Length.— 0.5 cm. Diameter .—Less than 0.1 cm. Color ( at tight bud ).—RHS 139C.

Inflorescence:

Blooming habit (flowering season): From early spring to late fall in central Europe Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.— 2 weeks. Fragrance .—Absent. Inflorescence type .—Umbel. Length of inflorescence.— 4.0 cm. Diameter of inflorescence.— 7.0 cm. Number of florets per inflorescence .—Greater than 25. Peduncle .—Length: 3.5 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Color: RHS 139C. Texture: Rough.

Florets:

Form .—Tall cylinder, opening at the end. Length.— 0.5 cm. Diameter .—Less than 0.1 cm. Floret depth.— 1.0 cm. Color .—Immature flower: Upper surface: RHS 83D with white eye of RHS N999D. Lower surface: RHS N82D with white eye of RHS N999D. Mature flower: Upper surface: RHS N82B with white eye of RHS N999D. Lower surface: RHS N82C with white eye of RHS N999D. Flower throat color .—RHS 155D. Corolla tube length.— 2.0 cm. Corolla tube color .—RHS 139C. Corolla tube diameter.—< 0.1 cm. Petals .—Length of lobe: 0.5 cm. Diameter of lobe: 0.4 cm. Lobe shape: Reniform. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Closed. Margin: Entire. Pedicels .—Not visible.

Calyx:

Arrangement .—Round. Sepals .—Number per flower: 5. Shape: Funnel. Length: 2.0 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Color (Upper and lower surfaces): RHS 139C. Apex: Rounded. Base: Fused. Margin: Crenate. Texture: Smooth.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens .—Quantity: Greater than 5. Shape: Lanceolate. Color: RHS 139D. Filament length: Less than 0.1 cm. Filament diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Anther .—Shape: Fused. Color: RHS 139D. Length: Less than 0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Pollen .—Quantity: None observed. Pistils .—Quantity: 1. Length: 0.2 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Stigma: Color: RHS 139D. Shape: Lanceolate. Length: Less than 0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Style: Color: RHS 139D. Length: Less than 0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Shape: Lanceolate.

Fruit and seed set: None observed.

Disease, insect resistance, and physiological stress: Resistant to powdery mildew.

‘KLEVP12449’ differs from the female parent Verbena plant ‘1S112’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEVP12449’ has larger flowers and is earlier flowering than ‘1S112’.

‘KLEVP12449’ differs from the male parent Verbena plant ‘V842’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEVP12449’ has larger flowers with a white eye and better branching, whereas ‘V842’ has smaller flowers without an eye and weaker branching.

‘KLEVP12449’ differs from the commercial variety, ‘Vepita Lavender White’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEVP12449’ has a more intense flower color, a better plant and branching habit, and is more vigorous than ‘Vepita Lavender White’.