Salvia plant named ‘Little Kiss’

Abstract

A new and distinct Salvia cultivar named ‘Little Kiss’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact plant form, early flowering and abundant red and white colored flowers. The new variety is a Salvia microphylla, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named ‘LITTLE KISS’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical mature plant of ‘Little Kiss’ grown outdoors, in Royal Oaks, Calif., in a commercial 5 gallon container. This plant is shown flowering during May and carries flowers of various stages of maturity.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical flowers of ‘Little Kiss’.

(3) Age of the plant photographed is approximately 3 years from an unrooted cutting.

(4) 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

(5) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Little Kiss’ plants grown outdoors in Royal Oaks, Calif. The growing temperature' ranged from approximately 2° C. to 35° C. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Salvia microphylla ‘Little Kiss’.

PROPAGATION

(6) Root description: Fine, densely fibrous. Colors include Green-White 157D on new growth and Orange-White 159C, Grey-Brown 199B and 199C for older roots.

PLANT

(7) Growth habit: Semi-upright, round. Pot size of plant described: 5 gallon pot. Height: Approximately 40 cm to top of foliage. Approximately 43 cm to top of flowering plane. Measured from soil level of pot. Plant spread: Approximately 70 cm. Growth rate: Rapid. Branching characteristics: Very well branched. Approximately 4 to 6 branches emerging from a pinch, which branch into another 4 to 6 primary lateral branches. Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 18 to 30 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.4 cm. Quantity of lateral branches: About 16 to 32. Stem: Color.—Young growth near RHS Yellow-Green 144C. Mature growth near Greyed-Purple 187A with streaks near Grey-Brown 199B. Grey-Brown color more prominent with age. Texture.—Very slightly hirsute and typically 4 deep ribs. Older growth scaly. Internode length: Average range 1.5 to 3.0 cm. Age of plant described: Approximately 1.5 years.

FOLIAGE

(8) Leaf: Arrangement.—Opposite. Quantity.—Average range 12 to 24 fully expanded and immature leaves per main branch with side branches. Average length.—Approximately 2.4 cm. including petiole. Average width.—Approximately 1.3 cm. Shape of blade.—Deltate. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Truncate. Attachment.—Stalked. Margin.—Crenate. Texture of top surface.—Matte, glabrous. Finely reticulated. Texture of bottom surface.—Matte, glabrous. Prominent reticulated veins. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B. Venation.—Type: Reticulate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B Petiole.—Average Length: Approximately 0.3 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.1 cm. Color: Near Yellow-Green 144A Other: Foliage moderately aromatic.

FLOWER

(9) Natural flowering season: Flowering from early Spring through late Summer. Inflorescence type and habit: Flowers arranged in verticillasters. Flower longevity on plant: Individual flowers last approximately 7 to 10 days on the plant. Each raceme lasts approximately 6 to 8 weeks with flowers. Corolla self-cleaning, calyx persistent. Quantity of flowers: About 10 to 16 buds and 12 to 20 fully opened flowers per raceme, at one time. Mature plants have approximately 40 to 60 racemes. Raceme size: Diameter.—Approximately 3.5 cm. Height.—Approximately 5.0 to 9.0 cm. Individual flowers: Size: Diameter.—Approximately 1.4 cm. Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm. Fragrance: Faint aromatic scent. Corolla: Petal arrangement.—The corolla is sympetalous and typically bilabiate with 2 small, fully fused lobes forming a single upper lip and 3 larger fused lobes forming a lower lip. Margin.—Entire. Tip shape.—Upper lip tip obtuse, lower lip tip retuse. Length.—Upper lip Approximately 0.7 cm. Lower lip Approximately 0.9 cm. Tube length Approximately 1.5 cm. Width.—Upper lip: Approximately 0.4 cm, lower lip Approximately 1.3 cm. Tube width: Approximately 0.5 cm. Texture.—Upper lip: Glabrous all surfaces. Lower lip: Glabrous all surfaces. Color: Upper lip.—When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D. Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D. Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D. Color: Lower lip.—When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D, apex blotched Red 45A. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D, apex blotched Red 45A. Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D, apex blotched Red 46A. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D, apex blotched Red 46A. Fading: Inner surface: Near RES White N155D, apex blotched Red 53A. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D, apex blotched Red 53A. Color: Tube.—When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D. Fully opened: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D. Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS White N155D. Outer surface: Near RHS White N155D. Bud: Flower bud includes immature calyx which completely surrounds immature corolla. Shape.—Ovoid. Length.—Approximately 1.4 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm. Color.—Near RHS White N155A, lightly blotched Red 45A. Calyx: Length.—Approximately 1.0 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm. Shape.—Tubular. Sepals: Shape.—Quantity per flower: 3, fused to form a tube. Unfused apex. Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm unfused portion. Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm. Margin.—Entire. Apex.—Short apiculate. Texture.—Slightly hirsute and ridged. Color.—Immature: Near Green 143C, apiculate point near Greyed-Purple N187A. Mature: Near Green 143C, apiculate point near Greyed-Purple N187A. Peduncle: Length.—Average 2.0 cm. Diameter.—0.3 cm. Color.—One side typically near RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Orientation.—Straight or very slightly curved. Occurring at approximately 15 degree angle from center of plant. Strength.—Moderately strong. Texture.—Very slightly hirsute, ridged. Pedicels: Length.—Average range 0.2 to 0.3 cm. Diameter.—0.1 cm. Color.—Near RHS Green 143C. Orientation.—Straight, approximately 15 degree angle from attachment. Strength.—Strong. Texture.—Glabrous.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Stamens: Number.—2. Filament length.—Approximately 0.3 cm. Filament color.—Near RHS White N155B. Anthers: Shape.—Linear. Length.—0.1 cm. Color.—Near RHS Orange-Red 34B. Pollen.—Moderate pollen observed, colored near RHS Orange-Red 34B. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—Approximately 2.0 cm. Style.—Length: Approximately 1.8 cm. Color: Near RHS White N155D. Stigma.—Shape: Forked. Color: Near RHS Red 53B. Ovary: Colored near RHS Yellow-Green 145D, oblong, approximately 0.2 cm long and 0.1 in diameter.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) Seeds and fruits: Very little seed production. Occasionally a single seed is produced. Oblong, approximately 4 mm long, 2 mm wide. Colored near Brown 200A. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to pathogens and pests common to Salvia microphylla have been observed. Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures within USDA zones 3 to 8.