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

Abstract

A new and distinct Geranium cultivar named ‘KELLY ANNE’ is disclosed, characterized by bright pink flowers with darker pink 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 hardy 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 ‘KELLY ANNE’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

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

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a flower of ‘KELLY ANNE’.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a flower of the new variety on the right of the figure and a flower of the comparator ‘Rozanne’ on the left of the figure.

(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 2015, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘KELLY 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 ‘KELLY ANNE’.

PROPAGATION

(6) Typical method: Tissue culture.

PLANT

(7) 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

(8) Leaf: Arrangement.—Alternate. Average length (excluding petiole).—Approximately 6.0 cm. Average width.—Approximately 8.0 cm. Shape of blade.—Palmate. Depth of sinus.—Medium. Aspect.—Flat to somewhat undulating and upwardly folded. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Sagittate. Margin.—Palmately cleft, lobes biserrate. Depth of incisions on margin.—Shallow. Appearance.—Matte. Texture of top surface.—Pubescent. Texture of bottom surface.—Pubescent. Rugosity.—Very weak. 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 7 cm. Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A, turning near Red 46B during in late Summer. Strength.—Very strong, flexible. Texture.—Pubescent. Stipule: Not observed.

INFLORESCENCE

(9) Natural flowering season: May until November in the Netherlands. Quantity of flowers: About 200 flowers and flower buds per plant. Flowers persistent or self cleaning: Petals not persistent, sepals persistent. Fragrance: None detected. Flower attitude: Upward and strongly outwards. Flowering stem branching: Flowering occurs on both sides of the flowering stem. Flower size: Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 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.—When opening: Upper surface: Young Petals: Near Purple-Violet N80C with base near White N155D. Veins near Purple 77A. Mature Petals: Near Purple-Violet N80C with base near White N155D. Veins near Purple 77A. Lower surface: Young Petals: Near Purple-Violet N80C with base near White N155D. Veins near Purple 77A. Mature petals: Near Purple-Violet N80C with base near White N155D. Veins near Purple 77A. Vein conspicuousness: Veins very strongly conspicuous, distributed throughout the flower. 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 1.0 cm. Width.—Approximately 0.3 mm. Margin.—Entire. Apex.—Apiculate. Base.—Cuneate. Texture.—Smooth, glabrous. Margin pubescent. Color (immature and mature).—Upper surface: Near Green 137B. Lower surface: Near Green 138A. Peduncles: Length.—Average range 1.5 to 3.6 cm. Diameter.—About 1.5 mm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A, flushed Red 46B from late Summer. Aspect.—Straight to somewhat undulating. Texture.—Pubescent. Pedicels: Length.—Average range 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Diameter.—About 1 mm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Aspect.—Straight to somewhat undulating. Texture.—Pubescent. Floral bracts: Shape.—Deltoid. Length.—Average 8 mmm. Width.—About 3 mm. Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Red 181B. Texture.—Papery.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(10) Stamens: Number.—Average 10. Filament length.—Approximately 6 mm. Anthers: Shape.—Linear. Length.—Approximately 3 mm. Color.—Near RHS Purple 79A. Pollen.—Not observed. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—Approximately 8 mm. Color.—Near RHS Purple 79A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(11) 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.