<i>Geranium </i>plant named ‘MARY ANNE’

Abstract

A new and distinct Geranium cultivar named ‘MARY ANNE’ is disclosed, characterized by dark purple flowers with darker violet veins. Plants are floriferous and have a neat, mounding and compact growth habit. The flowering period of the new variety is exceptionally long, from approximately May until October and plants are Winter cold hard to −20 degrees Celsius. The new variety is a Geranium, typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘MARY ANNE’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

(1) The accompanying photograph illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘MARY ANNE’ grown outdoors in Noordwijkerhout, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 12 months old, shown planted in the ground. The photograph was 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

(2) 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 ‘MARY ANNE’ plants grown outdoors in Noordwijkerhout, the Netherlands. Temperatures ranged from −5° C. to 25° C. at night to 5° C. to 32° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Botanical classification: Geranium wallichianum ‘MARY ANNE’.

PROPAGATION

(3) Typical method: Tissue culture.

PLANT

(4) Growth habit: Upright and outwardly spreading flowering perennial. Height: Approximately 45 cm. Plant spread: Approximately 80 cm. Pot size of plant described: Uncontainerized, plant in ground. Age of plant described: Approximately 1 year. Growth rate: Vigorous.

FOLIAGE

(5) Leaf: Arrangement.—Alternate. Average length (excluding petiole): Approximately 5.5 cm. Average width.—Approximately 7.0 cm. Shape of blade.—Palmate. Aspect.—Flat to somewhat undulating and upwardly folded. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Sagittate. Margin.—Palmately cleft, lobes biserrate. Appearance.—Matte. Texture of top surface.—Pubescent. Texture of bottom surface.—Pubescent. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near Green 141B. Young foliage under side: Near Green 141B. Mature foliage upper side: Near Green 141B. Mature foliage under side: Near Green 141B. Venation: Type.—Pinnate. Venation coloration upper side.—Near Yellow-Green 145A. Venation coloration under side.—Near Yellow-Green 145A. Petiole: Length.—Average 6.5 cm. Width.—Approximately 0.15 cm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A, turning near Red 46B during in late Summer. Strength.—Very strong, flexible. Texture.—Pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE

(6) Natural flowering season: May until November in the Netherlands. Quantity of flowers: About 250 flowers and flower buds per plant. Flowers persistent or self cleaning: Petals not persistent, sepals persistent. Fragrance: None detected. Flower size: Diameter.—Approximately 3.2 cm. Depth.—Approximately 1.5 cm. Petals: Petal arrangement.—5, in a single whorl. Unfused and very slightly overlapping. Margin.—Entire. Apex.—Obtuse to nearly truncate. Length.—Approximately 2.0 cm. Width.—Approximately 2.3 cm. Shape.—Deltoid. Base.—Attenuate. Texture.—Smooth, glabrous, all surfaces. Aspect.—Mainly flat, with upward cupping towards apex. Color.—Upper surface: Young Petals: A blend of Violet N87A, Violet 83B and Purple 77A. Prominent, colored near Violet 83A. Mature Petals: A blend of Violet N87A, Violet 83B and Purple 77A. Prominent venation, colored near Violet 83A. Lower surface: Young Petals: Near Purple 77A with hints of Violet N87A. Veins near violet 83A. Mature petals: Near Purple 77A with hints of Violet N87A. Veins near violet 83A. Bud: Shape.—Ovate. Length.—Average 1.4 cm. Diameter.—Average 0. cm. Color.—Near Green 138B. Sepals: Quantity.—5, in a single whorl. Shape.—Oblanceolate. Length.—Approximately 9 mm. Width.—Approximately 3.2 mm. Margin.—Entire. Apex.—Apiculate. Base.—Cuneate. Texture.—Smooth, glabrous. Margin pubescent. Color (immature and mature).—Upper surface: Near Green 141B. Lower surface: Near Green 141B. Peduncles: Length.—Average range 1.5 to 3.6 cm. Diameter.—About 1.5 cm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A, flushed Red 46B from late Summer. Aspect.—Straight to somewhat undulating. Texture.—Pubescent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(7) Stamens: Number.—Average 10. Filament length.—Approximately 6 mm. Anthers: Shape.—Linear. Length.—Approximately 3 mm. Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple N186B. Pollen.—Not observed Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—Approximately 8 mm. Stigma color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(8) Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal diseases and pests of Geranium has been observed. Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: The new cultivar can tolerate cold temperatures to approximately −25° C. and tolerates an upper temperature range to at least 35° C. Fruit/seed production: Not observed to date.