<i>Weigela </i>plant named ‘FLORACLAR’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Weigela plant named ‘FLORACLAR’ is disclosed, characterized by dark green to wine-colored leaves with yellow-gold marginal variegation. Plants are compact and round in habit, and lightly flowering with hot pink single salverform flowers. The new variety is a Weigela, normally produced as an outdoor garden plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Weigela florida plant named ‘FLORACLAR’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typical plants of the new variety grown in a ground bed at about 2 years of age.

(2) FIG. 2 is a close-up view of typical foliage.

(3) 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

(4) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘FLORACLAR’ plants grown in a polyhouse in Grand Haven, Mich. Measurements were taken during May of 2022. The plants were 2 to 3 years old. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 18° C. to 27° C. during the day and 5° C. to 10° C. at night. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Weigela florida ‘FLORACLAR’.

PROPAGATION

(5) Time to initiate roots: 15 days at 18° C. to 27° C. Root description: Dense and freely branching. Thin and fibrous. White in color, not effectively measured with a color chart. Time to produce a rooted young plant: Approximately 60 days.

PLANT

(6) Plant type: Perennial shrub. Age of plant described: Approximately 2 to 3 years old. Growth habit: Upwards and outwards. Pot size of plant described: 3-gallon container. Overall plant shape: Upright and mounded. Height: Around 40 cm in a trimmed 3-gallon container. Plant spread: Around 60 cm in a trimmed 3-gallon container. Plant vigor: Quite vigorous. Growth rate: Fast. Branching characteristics: Basal branching, pinching required. Length of primary lateral branches: 35 cm. Diameter of lateral branches: 5 mm. Quantity of lateral branches: About 10. Stem: Appearance.—Rounded, two small ridges 180° apart on stem. Stem strength.—Strong. Aspect.—30° to 70°. Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 145B with tinges of Greyed-Orange 176B developing near terminal end. Pubescence.—Some, along two small ridges set 180° apart on stem. Internode length: 5 to 6 cm.

FOLIAGE

(7) Leaf: Arrangement.—Opposite. Leaf shape.—Narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate. Length.—3 to 4 cm. Width.—1 to 2 cm. Apex.—Acuminate. Base.—Attenuate. Margin.—Serrulate. Texture of top surface.—Coriaceous. Texture of bottom surface.—Coriaceous, veins have a raised texture. Pubescence.—None. Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 147B with 145A variegation along margins. Young foliage under side: RHS Yellow-Green 147B with 145A variegation along margins. Mature foliage upper side: Yellow-Green 147B becoming tinted with Brown 200A and with Yellow-Green 145A variegation along margins. Mature foliage under side: Yellow-Green 147B becoming tinted with Brown 200A and with Yellow-Green 145A variegation along margins. Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Color under side: RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Petiole.—Length: 5 mm. Diameter: 2 mm. Petiole color upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Petiole color lower side: RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Petiole Texture: Slightly pubescent.

FLOWER

(8) Natural flowering season: Late spring to early summer. Arrangement: Single or small groups (2-3) of salverform flowers emerging from leaf apices at lateral branch termini. Individual flowers: Flower shape.—Salverform. Flower aspect.—Upwards and outwards. Flowering arrangement.—Salverform flowers arranged in groups of 1 to 3. Size.—Diameter: 2 cm. Depth: 2.25 cm. Throat diameter proximal: 5 mm. Throat diameter distal: 2 cm. Tube length: 2 cm. Persistence.—Self-cleaning. Fragrance.—None. Bud: Shape.—Obovate to spatulate. Length.—1 to 1.5 cm. Diameter.—3 to 5 mm. Color.—RHS Red-Purple 60C. Petal: Petal arrangement.—Cruciform. Number of petals per flower.—4. Petal shape.—Rounded-orbicular. Petal base.—Fused at throat. Margin.—Entire to slightly sinnuate. Tip shape.—Obtuse. Length.—1 cm. Width.—1 cm. Texture.—Upper: Soft, smooth, delicate. Lower: Soft, smooth, delicate. Throat texture.—Soft, glabrous. Tube texture.—Soft, glabrous. Color.—When opening: Upper side: RHS Red-Purple 63B. Under side: RHS Red-Purple 63A. Fully open: Upper side: RHS Red-Purple 63B. Under side: RHS Red-Purple 63A. Flower tube.—Color: RHS Red-Purple 63A. Throat.—Color: RHS Red-Purple 63A. Sepal: Arrangement.—Whorl. Appearance.—Unguiculate. Number.—4. Shape.—Narrowly triangular. Tip.—Acuminate. Base.—Fused. Margin.—Entire. Length.—1 cm. Width.—1 mm. Texture, upper.—Glabrous. Texture, lower.—Glabrous. Color.—Upper surface at maturity: RHS Yellow-Green 146D with tints/streaking of Red-Purple 63A. Under surface at maturity: RHS Yellow-Green 146D with tints/streaking of Red-Purple 63A. Calyx shape.—Crown-like. Peduncle: Length.—1 cm. Diameter.—2 mm. Color.—RHS Brown 200A with Yellow-Green 145A on the underside. Angle.—45°. Strength.—Good. Texture.—Glabrous. Pedicel: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(9) Stamens: Number.—4. Filament length.—2 cm. Filament color.—RHS Red-Purple 63A. Anthers: Shape.—Linear. Length.—3 mm. Color.—RHS Yellow-White 158B. Pollen color.—RHS Yellow-White 158B. Pollen amount.—Some. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—2.5 cm. Style.—Length: 2.25 cm. Color: RHS Red-Purple 63A. Stigma: Color.—RHS Yellow-green 145D. Shape.—Globular.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(10) Seeds and fruits: Not observed to set fruit and seeds. Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Weigela have been observed Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures between −31° C. to 38° C.