USPP28925P3 - Salvia plant named ‘Little Night’ - Google Patents

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of European Meadow Sage named ‘Little Night’ that is characterized by its dwarf, compact habit and dark violet-blue flowers. Additionally, the flowering stems (spikes) are short and compact with small-sized foliage.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The ornamental plant variety of this invention is botanically identified as Salvia nemerosa (superba).

Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Little Night’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of Salvia nemerosa (superba), more commonly known as European Meadow Sage. The new variety has dwarf-like characteristics, including: compact growth habit; short, compact flowering stems (spikes); and small-sized foliage.

European Meadow Sage is a perennial, ornamental plant used in garden landscapes. Its attractive violet-blue flowers and adaptation to a variety of soil conditions, including clay, contribute to its broad market appeal and utilization.

Discovered and asexually propagated by the inventor, ‘Little Night’ was selected from a cultivated area in a residential garden located in Salt Lake City, Utah on Jun. 8, 2011. While the exact parentage of the present invention is uncertain, ‘Little Night’ is likely an un-hybridized garden seedling of Salvia nemerosa (superba) ‘May Night’. This statement is based on the observation of the surrounding plants where the invention was discovered in that ‘May Night’ was the only species of salvia plants in the area. ‘Little Night’ distinguished itself from the surrounding seedlings through its much smaller mature-sized stems and the shorter length of flower spikes.

In July 2011, the discovered invention was transported and replanted into a pot and cultivated in a greenhouse located in Santa Fe, N.Mex. where it was observed for two years. Also, propagation via vegetative cuttings of the originally transported plant began in August of 2011 under the direction of the inventor of the present invention. The method utilized softwood cuttings dipped in a standard-strength rooting hormone. The cuttings were then placed under intermittent mist for approximately 4 weeks until they rooted. Propagation testing continued at the greenhouse located in Santa Fe, N.Mex. of the rooted cuttings for two generations. These cuttings maintained the small size, flower color and other characteristics of the discovered invention. Additional cuttings were taken from 2nd generation plants grown from cuttings of the discovered invention, which also maintained the small size, flower color and other characteristics of the discovered invention. This testing demonstrated that the distinct characteristics described herein are true-to-type and transmissible by asexual reproduction with uniformity and stability. These results were confirmed via additional testing in Landenberg, Pa. in May 2014.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits represent the characteristics of the new variety ‘Little Night’. These traits in combination distinguish this variety from all other commercial varieties known to the inventor.

• • 1. Dwarf, compact habit;
  • 2. Short, compact flowering stems (spikes) with small-sized foliage; and
  • 3. Dark violet flowers.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for and ‘Little Night’ has not been offered for sale more than a year before the filing date of this application. ‘Little Night’ has not been promoted under any other breeder's reference or cultivar name.

Plants of ‘Little Night’ have not been observed under all possible environmental and cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions, for example, with fluctuation in temperature, soil chemistry, and photoperiod without, however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH(S)

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall, typical appearance of the new and distinct salvia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of conventional photography. Due to color variation reproduced in the photographs, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than a reliance on the photographs alone. Photographs were taken outdoors in May and June 2014 unless otherwise indicated. The different photographs are intended to represent the distinctive characteristics of ‘Little Night’.

FIG. 1 (taken in April 2014) is a close up view of the flower spikes and leaves.

FIG. 2, taken indoors under natural light in a greenhouse setting, demonstrates the size of 18 month-old plants growing in #1 gallon pots as compared to the size of a felt-tip marker.

FIG. 3 is a close-up of the foliage.

FIG. 4 demonstrates the overall habit and coloration of the invention.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new variety ‘Little Night’. Data was collected from a plant approximately 18 months-old in June 2014. The color determinations are in accordance with The 2007 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society (London, England), except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used and color readings were observed under natural, outdoor light.

VARIETY DESCRIPTION

Classification:

	Botanical: Salvia nemerosa (superba)
	Common: European Meadow Sage

Parentage:

	Female: Unknown, likely the commercially available, Salvia nemerosa
	(superba) named ‘May Night’ (unpatented)
	Male: Unknown

Propagation:

Vegetatively

Plant:

	Ploidy: Diploid
	Height, unpruned (m): Short, 15.5 to 18.0 cm (stems) and 25.5 to
	28.0 cm (flower spikes)
	Spread (cm): 36.0 to 46.0 cm
	Vigor: Moderate
	Growth habit: Compact, upright growing stems and flower spikes
	Life cycle duration: Perennial
	Cold tolerance: USDA zone 4
	Optimal temperature range: Very tolerant of a wide range of growing
	temperatures

Lateral Branch:

	Quantity per plant: 8 to 12
	Strength: Strong
	Length, from point of attachment of the upper lateral branch to the
	top (cm): 5.0 to 20.0 cm
	Diameter (mm or cm): 2.0 mm measured from base of lateral branch
	Texture: Smooth and slightly pubescent
	Color: RHS Green 143 B
	Internode length (cm): 1.5 to 3.0 cm
	Internode color: RHS Green 143 B

Leaves:

	Quantity of leaves per lateral branch, average: 12 to 20
	Arrangement: Opposite, decussate
	Size (lamina average):

	Length (mm): 40.0 mm
	Width (mm): Medium, 15.0 mm

	Type: Simple
	Shape: Oblong to lanceolate at top
	Apex: Rounded to acute at top
	Base: Cordate to oblique rounded
	Margin: Crenate
	Cross section: Flat
	Leaf blade length (mm): 10.0 to 30.0 mm (at top); 40.0 to 50.0
	(at base)
	Leaf blade width (mm): 12.0 to 20.0 mm
	Venation: Slightly reticulate on bottom
	Surface:

	Upper surface texture: Glabrous and slightly grooved
	Lower surface texture: Net veined and slightly pubescent
	especially on veins

Petiole:

	Shape: Straight with slight flare at stem attachment on lower
	leaves, petiolate on lower leaves only and upper leaves
	are sessile
	Thorns, Spines: Absent
	Length (mm): 2.0 to 20.0 mm
	Width (mm): 1.0 to 2.0 mm

Flowers:

	Inflorescence Type: Verticillaster
	Age of plant when first bloom: 12 months
	Bloom habit (frequency in the season): Recurrent
	Time of year for first bloom: Late spring (mid-May in USDA zone 6)
	Length of blooming time (days): 4 weeks
	Color:

	Upon opening: RHS Violet N-88A
	Aged: RHS Purple-Violet N82-A
	New bracts upon opening: RHS Red-Purple 72-A
	Aged bracts: RHS Green 143B

	Structure (eg. Complete): Complete, bilabiate
	Average size:

	Length (mm): 10.5 mm
	Width (mm): 7.0 mm

	Arrangement: Whorled around central axis of stem
	Type: 6 per false whorl
	Fragrance: None
	Bud:

	Shape: Rounded to scale-like (immature), round (mature)
	Length (mm):

	Immature: 2.5 mm
	Mature: 5.5 mm

Width (mm):

	Immature: 1.25 mm
	Mature: 2.6 mm

	Color, mature (before opening): RHS Green 143 B tipped with
	RHS Violet N88B

Petal:

	Number, average: 5
	Arrangement: Bilabiate
	Length (mm):

	Posterior lip: 8.2 mm
	Anterior lip: 6.8 mm

Width (mm):

	Posterior lip: 1.1 mm
	Anterior lip: 3.8 mm

	Shape: Bilabiate: fused at bottom, zygomorphic
	Apex shape: Rounded
	Base shape: Fused into tube
	Margin: Smooth
	Pubescence: Sparsely pubescent on exterior of petal
	Color: RHS Violet N88 A

Throat:

	Length (mm): 4.3 mm
	Width (mm): 1.7 mm
	Color (taken of a 3-year-old plant): RHS N87A (Violet group)

Sepals:

	Number (per flower): 5
	Shape: Slightly bilabiate
	Length (mm): 5.5 mm
	Width (mm): 2.25 mm
	Apex: Lanceolate
	Texture: Smooth
	Color (taken of a 3-year-old plant): RHS N78A (purple group)
	aging to 138B (green group) with N78A streaking and tip

Peduncle:

	Length (mm): 12.0 to 18.0 mm
	Diameter (mm): 2.0 to 2.5 mm
	Angle: 180°
	Texture: Stem-like, smooth with slight pubescence
	Color (taken of a 3-year-old plant): RHS 147B (yellow-green
	group)

Pedicel:

	Length (mm): 1.0 mm
	Width (mm): 0.7 mm
	Color (taken of a 3-year-old plant): RHS 61B (red-purple
	group) aging to N145C (yellow-green group)

Calyx:

	Shape: United at base with lanceolate tips, slightly bilabiate
	Length (mm): 5.5 mm
	Diameter (mm): 1.0 mm

Reproductive Organs:

	Fertility, self: No
	Stamen:

	Number: 2
	Length (mm): 1.5 mm

Anther:

	Length (mm): 0.5 mm
	Width (mm): 0.1 mm
	Filament length (mm): 1.0 mm

Pistil

	Number: 1
	Length (mm): 11.0 mm

Style

	Length (mm): 8.0 mm
	Width (mm): 0.4 mm

Ovary

	Shape: Round
	Diameter (mm): 0.85 mm

Pollen

	Amount: Minimal
	Color: Yellow

Seed

	Quantity: Up to 4 per flower
	Shape: Round
	Texture: Hard, smooth
	Color: RHS 177A (greyed-orange group)
	Diameter (mm): 1.3 mm

Fruit

	Type: Schizocarp
	Diameter (mm): 2.2 mm

• Best mode growing conditions:
  • • Soil conditions.—Grows well in all types of soil conditions, including clay.
    • Water use/drought tolerance.—Drought tolerant, xeric when planted in the ground.
    • Fertilization.—None required for propagation, add standard water soluble 15-15-15 or similar formulation weekly during growing season.
• Known pest susceptibility: Spider Mites.

COMPARISON TO SIMILAR VARIETIES

In comparison to the likely female parent, a commercially available, unpatented variety of Salvia nemerosa (superba) named ‘May Night’, the growth habit of the said invention, ‘Little Night’, is much more compact. ‘Little Night’ also has shorter, more compact flowering stems (spikes) and smaller foliage size.

The male parent is unknown; therefore, no comparison can be made.

‘Little Night’ differs from the commercially available Salvia nemerosa named ‘Haeumanarc’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,322), known commercially as Marcus, in that the flowers of ‘Little Night’ are a much darker violet, the flower spikes are thinner in diameter and more compact, the plant height in the flower and stem portions are shorter than ‘Haeumanarc’ by a few centimeters, and the parentage is different.

Claims (1)

I claim:

1. A new and distinct Salvia plant as herein described and illustrated.

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